Flying with a 5 year old for the first time any tips?
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: London
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not particularly looking forward to August when i have to fly with my 11yr old. She gets worse every flight we do. I know she may have picked up some fear from me, as im not a great flyer, but i dont sit next to her my Husband does, and i know they do pick up on fear easier than we think, but she has never really seen me too upset.
Last year we flew and unfortunately she was sick just after take off, had more to do with eating bbq crisps before we left than any turbulence!!
On the way back she got into a state and she wasnt sick, but now she is already fearing being sick. Ive told her not to worry as were flying with her friends this year, so she will be too busy to worry about any of that rubbish.
Last year we flew and unfortunately she was sick just after take off, had more to do with eating bbq crisps before we left than any turbulence!!
On the way back she got into a state and she wasnt sick, but now she is already fearing being sick. Ive told her not to worry as were flying with her friends this year, so she will be too busy to worry about any of that rubbish.
Luvverley!
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: --
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A few years ago now, I remember a parent seeking advice on how to reassure his young child that flying was perfectly safe. We suggested that he brought the young 'un just to watch aircraft take off and land for an hour or so (the little boy was scared the wings would fall off, apparently), after which we found someone who would let the boy sit in a PA28 to see what it was like.
Grateful parent came back a few weeks later saying it had worked a treat!
Grateful parent came back a few weeks later saying it had worked a treat!
Creamegg - its about getting the air pressure in your ears to the same level as the air pressure outside. As you go up, the pressure outside decreases, so the ears let air out, which they do quite easily, but they aren't so good at taking air in on the way down.
Apart from the old pinch the nose and blow trick, I've found chewing something (gum, mentos, whatever), Vicks Vapodrops (clears out all the sinuses and makes it much easier to equalize) and, believe it or not, yawning work the best (when you open your mouth really wide the ears will pop if they need to, however this does cause a slight pain). Have also heard that smelling eucalyptus oil helps.
Give her something chewy on the way down would be my advice
Apart from the old pinch the nose and blow trick, I've found chewing something (gum, mentos, whatever), Vicks Vapodrops (clears out all the sinuses and makes it much easier to equalize) and, believe it or not, yawning work the best (when you open your mouth really wide the ears will pop if they need to, however this does cause a slight pain). Have also heard that smelling eucalyptus oil helps.
Give her something chewy on the way down would be my advice
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
agree about giving something to chew on, I always worried about their little ears on flights.
Distraction is the best policy, so bring along some favourite toys and try getting them to talk about aspects of the flight. My daughter became obsessed with the airplane rules - I swear she could grow up to be a policewoman the way she took to applying them!
Distraction is the best policy, so bring along some favourite toys and try getting them to talk about aspects of the flight. My daughter became obsessed with the airplane rules - I swear she could grow up to be a policewoman the way she took to applying them!
Join Date: May 2007
Location: LGW
Age: 41
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With any luck your cabin crew will be nice to your little girl, I especially love it when kids draw pictures for us. Most kids on flight seem perfectly entertained by that. When I was a kid I spent the whole time looking out of the window except for looking in awe at the crew doing the safety demo!
As long as YOU'RE not stressed out she probably won't be either, so don't hype it up too much, and I'm sure everything will be just wonderful and she'll have a great time.
As long as YOU'RE not stressed out she probably won't be either, so don't hype it up too much, and I'm sure everything will be just wonderful and she'll have a great time.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: On the Celtic fringe
Age: 62
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi All
I am glad to report that all went well! She even asked for a window seat! A super flight to GLA in great weather. She would like to do it again!
Thanks for all your tips and stories they have been a great read.
I am glad to report that all went well! She even asked for a window seat! A super flight to GLA in great weather. She would like to do it again!
Thanks for all your tips and stories they have been a great read.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cairo
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Dad, why is this plane jumping around so much?"
(And it was.)
"Well son, just like you it can't keep still when its excited."
And after junior had 'disappeared' (age 3, he was watching the planes out the window) airside in T4 and been returned to his distraught mother by a policeman.
"What happened, son?"
"Mummy got lost."
Nearest he has come to death.
I agree totally that kids take their cue from the parents. Was involved in an emergency evacuation (everyone down the slides from a smoke filled plane) a few years ago. An Aussie said to his lad, about seven, "That was fun, would you like to have another go?" and then had to hare after him as he ran back towards the plane. An english mum and her fourteen year old spent a happy half hour sobbing in each others arms. The next day saw the same people at the gate: the lad got his boarding card from his dad and ran on ahead, the daughter was with a grief counsellor debating whether to get on the plane.
(And it was.)
"Well son, just like you it can't keep still when its excited."
And after junior had 'disappeared' (age 3, he was watching the planes out the window) airside in T4 and been returned to his distraught mother by a policeman.
"What happened, son?"
"Mummy got lost."
Nearest he has come to death.
I agree totally that kids take their cue from the parents. Was involved in an emergency evacuation (everyone down the slides from a smoke filled plane) a few years ago. An Aussie said to his lad, about seven, "That was fun, would you like to have another go?" and then had to hare after him as he ran back towards the plane. An english mum and her fourteen year old spent a happy half hour sobbing in each others arms. The next day saw the same people at the gate: the lad got his boarding card from his dad and ran on ahead, the daughter was with a grief counsellor debating whether to get on the plane.
