Okay everyone, does anyone have any suggestions in dealing with childrens fear of flying? I have two sons (11 and 8). Last year, they did fine on the plane ride. This year, they decided that they were afraid of turbulence. They also decided they were afraid of the plane turning. Have any parents/grandparents dealt with this? We're flying out next month, and I don't want the trip to be a source of fear.
Thanks for any help you can give.
At that age, my first advice would be to talk to their pediatrician about it.
As a non-parent, non-medical professional (but a very attentive Aunt) - I'd have to wonder what they've watched that has 'made' them scared of turning and turbulence. If you can figure that out, maybe you can dispell their fears -- movies make things worse/Mom and Dad wouldn't have you do something that wasn't safe/ etc. Remind them of how last year was fine, too.
Cathy
Give them the facts (i.e. flying is safer than crossing the road), but I would say don't go on about it after than. You know when you look under the bed for the monster to prove its not there - actually you just made the child believe it was real by looking for it.
If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)
Here is an excellent 6 part series from the expertflyer blog. You may find Part 1 - Turbulence & Part 2 - Fear of Flying and even Part 6 interesting for your own background information when discussing this issue with your sons or you may even think they are suitable for showing to them.
Part 1 - Turbulence http://blog.expertflyer.com/expertfl...-6-turbulence/
Part 2 - Fear of Flying http://blog.expertflyer.com/expertfl...ear-of-flying/
Part 3 - Cockpit Automation; Part 4 - Pilot Shortages and Part 5 - Satellite Based ATC Systems can be found in the September 2011 or October 2011 archives
Part 6 - What Pilots Wish You Understood http://blog.expertflyer.com/expertfl...ou-understood/
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney
Thanks for the excellent suggestions everyone! Barberella, thanks for the fantastic informative articles. I will definitely show them to the boys.
It's funny, I don't recall anything they've seen that would make them nervous about flying. I think the sensation of turning, and having the plane at an odd angle really provoked that fear. I'll let you know what we come up with--hopefully it can help someone else.
I know my daughter was afraid.. at least she thought she was. My wife took her on the plane to sit down a day before the flight.. This was 15 plus years ago so you probably can't do that any more.. but it made her more comfortable on the day of the flight.. If you boys have already flown and something during the flight spooked them then your in a different situation. Most folks are afraid before they fly, not after.. Were you on a smaller plane where turbulence can be more dramatic??
what a wonderful mom to do that for your daughter! It's odd in our situation. We had flown to Southern California--which is a one hour flight. But this long flight bothered them. When the plane was turning during the end of the flight, they did not like that! They are both excited about the destination, just not the flght so much.Originally Posted by mco65
I don't have any child specific advice for you. But for me, when turbulence makes me a little nervous, it helps to look at a flight attendant and see that they're not the least bit scared, and they do this for a living. Of course, if they're looking nervous (as they did years ago when we were flying around the edges of Hurricane Floyd), then all bets are off. . .
Good luck!
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
Thanks Dan for the great advice. I will definitely be pointing out those flight attendants to the boys!
Don't sit near the wing. I find it disconcerting to say the least when my sense of equilibrium doesn't match the roll of the plane and I imagine it's the same for your kids. They might not be able to put words to the problem, but they definitely know something is "wrong".
I find that distractions were always best for me when I was younger. There wasn't TVs on planes like there are now, but somehow I distracted myself.
Now I still have a fear, but I just kind of get over it. I do have to shut the windows during take-off and landing. It takes a lot of persuading on my side because my mother likes it open to distract her from the take-off and landing.
Kristin
I'd better read that article. I HATE flying......Of course, knowing I'm getting to Disney makes it worth getting on the plane....
Good luck!
Working hard for that next WDW trip! December 2013
Could it be the amount of noise coming from the wings during turns? Sitting away from the wings might help with this somewhat.
Oh, and I would advise the OP and anyone who might have issues with turning and climbing to avoid, like the plague, flying out of SNA/ John Wayne /Orange county/ Santa Ana. (I think that covers all it's names!). Due to noise ordinances, the take off is quite a bit different for everyone, and might push the OP's kids over the edge.
Cathy
I am so glad you said that. I fly in and out of Orange/JW when I go to Anaheim and I always wondered why the scary take offs and landings there!!!
Working hard for that next WDW trip! December 2013
Just consider it one more roller coaster ride.
I heard they're adding a loop.
(Some had to say it.)
That would be awesome. (I love to fly so that takeoff is just a bonus ride for me.I heard they're adding a loop.
(Some had to say it.))
I'm with your kids--I don't like turning either. or flying. But I do it to get to go to fun places like WDW and Hawaii!
If I go down, I'm going down fat and full.
Oh, i know that airport well. I always thought those noise ordinances were strange. Why live near an airport if you can't handle a bit of noise? Anyhow, we are fortunately in Northern Cal, so we don't fly out of John Wayne.
Thanks everyone for the excellent advice and suggestions. Hopefully all will go well
if you can get preferred seating, get a seat closer to the front.. the closer the better.. first class even!
As a grandfather I too have had the same fear with air travel that your children have. As grandparents we do fly with the kids and grandkids to Disney World Orlando and have a trip planed in October 2012. Before we board the plane our Daughters have always made sure to have something for the children to take on the plane to keep their mind occupied during flight. Ipods with music and earplugs or headphones work well, portable games & movies also. any thing that will keep the children distracted from the engine noise to the turbulence seems to work for our grandchildren and hope it may work for your children. I now don't have the fears of flying I once had and really don't know where the fear went, maybe its just our age. Good luck
Also in NorCal...Oh, i know that airport well. I always thought those noise ordinances were strange. Why live near an airport if you can't handle a bit of noise? Anyhow, we are fortunately in Northern Cal, so we don't fly out of John Wayne.
Thanks everyone for the excellent advice and suggestions. Hopefully all will go well
You can always tell a pilot that often flies in and out of John Wayne airport when leaving San Jose...they will do that same fast climb.
We don't mind it, but it can certainly be alarming if you've never experienced it.
Good luck with the kids, Drew. You've gotten some good advice here.
MCO, thanks for the great advice on seating.
Spencer, you are such a wonderful grandfather! i hope that you have a great time in October. that sounds like the best time to go. i'm definitely planning on taking some distractions for the kids
Lacybelle, I remember my first time flying out of John Wayne. I was visiting my college room mate, and was warned about take off. I feel for people who don't know the drill, and think the plane is having engine problems, etc. when all that noise stops. Thanks for your kind words. The posters here are the best--always so knowledgable and helpful.
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