[CappucinoGirl]

Ok so as is the norm for me I am likely stressing unnecessarily but humour me...

We are taking our three girls on their first interstate holiday on Tuesday and I am freaking out about it!
They are 11, 7 and 3. We are only going from Hobart to the Gold Coast so just 3hrs I think but I'm really worried about their ears, mainly the smaller two and just if they turn out to be nervous flyers in general.

I'm fine with flying myself, never been nervous or anxious really, but I am struggling with the idea of taking my kids on a plane and telling them it's all fine and then imagining the plane going down, at least when we've flown before the kids have been safe on terra firma lol
I know I'm being silly but I can't shake the uneasy feeling of putting us all in the sky

Just wondered if anyone else had similar misgivings who might put my mind at ease, and also any tips from those who's kids do have trouble flying, I'd like to be prepared for the worst case scenario, TIA

This post has been edited by CappucinoGirl: 08/11/2012, 08:55 AM

[CupOfCoffee]

I am taking my 3 (almost 4) year old on her first flight in January and I am also nervous. My ears are terrible when I fly (around 80% of the time I will have pain when flying) so I am nervous for her.

I am planning on bringing lots of her favourite treats, Ipad, favourite soft toys and maybe a surprise for her to unwrap (so she is keen to get into the air to get the present).

[amabanana]

You can get little plastic things to put in their ears that help equalize the pressure. Chewing and sucking on lollies or gum helps too.

In terms of anxiety, I hear you! I have flown around the world several times and used to fly every week for work and think nothing of it. I've clocked up hundreds of flights without incidence. Since having kids though I find flying really stressful and I worry constantly about crashing. So much so that I am thinking of talking to my Dr about it. I know that doesn't help you but I want you to know you're not the only one!

[RatbagBob]

Bring something chewy for their ears and get practising on the holding your nose and blowing hard. In terms of the flight itself, just bring something that you know will entertain them, be it a book, toy, ipod or ipad, or family game. It's only three hours, so even if they're appalling fliers (and I'm sure they won't be) it's not like a 12-14 hour flight to Asia or the Middle East.

And remember, your behaviour will determine whether they are nervous fliers or not. If they sense that you are anxious, it will communicate to them. If you can get to the doctor or chemist and see if they can recommend something that will help you calm down, it will proably help everyone.

Enjoy your trip

[*LucyE*]

Be organized and you'll be fine

Re ears - at those ages, they are old enough to either eat, drink or chew to help 'pop' their ears. Keep water bottles handy in your carry on luggage so you don't have to wait for the staff (probably have to buy it in the airport past security). Pack some chewy snacks (dried fruit or lollies). Don't let them start on them until the plane has actually taken off. You don't want them guzzling it all while waiting on the runway, to then be busting for the toilet as you are ascending.

Then there's the onboard entertainment which will be a bit of a novelty to play and fiddle with. Then you'll have your own stuff such as electronic gizmos, books, magazines, colouring in etc. Then the drinks and food trolley will go past which will be a novelty too. A trip to the toilet and little walk around the plane and it will probably be time for the plane to start descent.

Keep a watch out for when the plane starts to descend and get them to start chewing/swallowing.

As for the worry about all of you in the sky? I do my worrying when I'm planning. Once we board, I let that go because there is nothing I can do and I try not to waste energy on pointless worry.

[Peanut]

We found chewy lollies like Fruit Tingles (but the tiny ones that I just can't remember the name of) helped with my DS's ears. We only brought them out at the times we were ascending and descending, which is when his ears hurt the most. He was concentrating on getting the lolly out of the packet and then crunching on it while working on the next, so his attention was diverted and the chewing helped his ears pop. I know, lollies = sugar, but it was worth it and funnily enough, he didn't have a sugar high. Maybe the bottle of water helped?

I had many sleepless nights worrying over us flying and numerable able other "disasters" before we left for America this year, but it all turned out for nothing. Wish I hadn't worried so much, but you can't help that. As a pp said, try not to let your worry communicate to the kids and once you are on the plane you will find that you will actually relax and so will they.

[2bundles]

If you have reason to think their ears could be bad, give Dimetapp before you go.

You can take water through security on domestic flights.

I agree with the pp who said they will sense how you are feeling.

They are safer in the sky than on the road, so keep that in your head. Make it the exciting start to an an exciting trip. When I was a kid I looked forward to the flight as much as the holiday!!

[lsolaBella]

Never had any of my children complain over their ears.... That includes flying with 3 yo 24hrs after being diagnosed with ear infection.

Eating/drinking will help if it is an issue. A friend uses lollipops.

As PP said your children should be excited not nervous flying. Nerves they will pick up off you. It is possible for you to disguise your nerves.... I did not find out my mum hates flying until my mid 20's.....this was having grown up flying overseas at least once a year from birth to 20 yrs with her.

Flying is safer then being in your car.

If your kids get fractious and you can't settle them remember it is only three hours. Out of many flights with my three young kids it was only one flight where I was ready to dump my kids at the end of the flight - we did EU and back twice last year. The worst flight though was only an hour flight.

[adl]

I agree with PP... one thing... dont load them up on treats and sugar, juice before you get on the plane, they are excited anyway, adding sugary stuff just adds to over hyped kids... x. A good night sleep... and a relaxed parent as( as much as possible) well!

I have travelled with my DS since 3wks old, now at 2.5 is harder and soon we will add another in, I find the noise of the engines puts him to sleep after about an hour -1.5hr of playing

Preparation is key, from talking about it, they are old enough to know they have to sit in their seats and be mindful of other people around them, no kicking or pulling the seats in front!!

ask them what favourite things they want to take, let them be involved too in packing their bags

and it will be all new and fascinating for them as well, that will keep them busy. have wet wipes, water bottles on hand as well.

but the entertainment on the new planes is great, they can choose their own shows or games to watch...

I know one mum that sang old macdonald for 9 hours to her 2.5yo....

Aim to get to the airport early so no rushing and lessen anxiety with check in etc....

Take advantage of boarding first with small kids so you can get on and settled, tuck your bits in the seat pockets etc..

and above all have a wonderful holiday!

[kpingitquiet]

We took our then-15mo from Adelaide to San Fran to DC to LA to Adelaide again hehe. For ears, we made sure she had a food pouch or drink that required sucking (for older kids, yogurt pouch or sports bottle of water could do that, or even just chewing gum). On-board entertainment helps too it's a nice distraction from all the plane noise. Ours got very very sick on one leg of the trip. It wasn't because of the plane, rather she (then we) caught a bug that led to her spewing all over us on one cross-country flight, so I do recommend full changes of clothes for everyone, in the carry-on, just in case someone gets airsick because EGADS that was not fun. Other than that, a plane is safer than a car. It's a 3hr trip. You'll be just fine and so will they.