6 yr old scared to fly

[my4boys+1]

I'm taking 3 kids 2 have never flown before. My 6yr old is very scared to fly. We went to the Jet Blue site and looked inside/out of a plane but it didn't help fear?

 

[grimley1968]

There's probably nothing that can be done to ease 6 YO's fears, except by flying. Once the 6 YO experiences it, I bet he/she will love it. I'd be prepared for some possible crying, etc. around when it's time to board, but there's probably little you can do about it. Sometimes they just have to go through some fears before they realize how fun the experience really can be.

As a pilot myself, I'd be prone to giving the 6 YO a bunch of stats on how much safer it is, statistically, to fly commercially versus driving, and an explanation of how reliable lift and thrust work together. But then, that stuff is usually only interesting to pilots.

 

[snowbunny]

Most young children are scared at first. The key is to show confidence that "everything will be fine." Acknowledge the child's feelings without being overly attentive to the fear aspect. You aren't a nervous flyer, are you? They can sense that a mile away.

Just keep telling them that not only is flying not scary, but in fact jets are pretty cool, and it's because of this cool jet that they can be at home in the morning and at Disney World in the afternoon.

 

[mojophone]

Most young children are scared at first. The key is to show confidence that "everything will be fine." Acknowledge the child's feelings without being overly attentive to the fear aspect. You aren't a nervous flyer, are you? They can sense that a mile away.

Just keep telling them that not only is flying not scary, but in fact jets are pretty cool, and it's because of this cool jet that they can be at home in the morning and at Disney World in the afternoon.

If all else fails just pull a scam like they do on Mr. T on the Ateam, they'll never know what happened till they wake up at the other end.

 

[dudspizza]

The best thing to do is make it a very positive experience. Present it as the first ride of many on your WDW trip.

Make sure you don't show any fears of flying yourself, even if you do have those fears. Showing that you are confident about will make a huge difference. Also, don't make a big deal about it. Flying is another form of transportation and things will be fine.

The good thing about Jet Blue is that they have the personal tv's to take one's mind off of the flying part. Relax and enjoy!

Duds

 

[grimley1968]

If all else fails just pull a scam like they do on Mr. T on the Ateam, they'll never know what happened till they wake up at the other end.

I don't know. I pity da fool dat conk out a 6 YO for a flight.

Why can't there be a funny Mr. T smilie to insert here?

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm not the best of flyers...but, didn't want my dd to pick up on my fears when she started flying at the age of 5! She was terrified, and where did we fly to? Seattle from Boston....great first choice of flights mom!! But, this is how I handled the fears....as the plane starts 'gearing up' for take-off, I tell my dd to close her eyes, then she holds my hand (okay, so she cuts off the circulation for a bit!!). Then, she has to tell me when she thinks we have left the ground. Then, we do the reverse when we land. Those seem to be the times that most kids 'freak'. She is now a great flyer...of course, she has never flown without me. And that's exactly what she's going to do next month. She has to fly with just her dad since I'll already be in WDW.
But, she still plays our little game and she's now almost 13!!! She still gets nervous but so am I.
Good luck. Those tv's in the seat backs are wonderful things...great for fearful kids!!!

 

[mojophone]

I don't know. I pity da fool dat conk out a 6 YO for a flight.

Why can't there be a funny Mr. T smilie to insert here?

rofl Now that would be priceless. I am so happy I am not the only one that is old enough to remember that show lol

 

[dudspizza]

rofl Now that would be priceless. I am so happy I am not the only one that is old enough to remember that show lol

I lived with my dad in London for a year (1985). THey showed it on British tv then... I looked forward to one of the few American shows on over there....

Duds

 

[grimley1968]

SWEET!!! Love the pic.

I always thought it would be a riot if someone made a cheesy parody of "Dr. T and the Women" with Mr. T in the role of Dr. T. It would be called "Dr. Mr. T and the Women". Imagine a doctor of that kind who talks like Mr. T.

Ahem, and back on topic: All the above suggestions on helping your 6 YO cope with fears of flying are good ones, especially the one about explaining that commercial air travel is just another form of travel, and that it is statistically the safest mode available.

 

[pezpam]

It can help to admit (or just say <wink>) that you were nervous the first time you flew in an airplane, but that when you tried it, it turned out to be ok. Be confident about flying, but let him know that it's ok and normal to be nervous or scared about something new. Then remind him of something else that he was nervous or unsure of, but once he tried it, he liked it. You could also suggest that he might want to carry a backpack on board with a few toys, books, special friends, snacks..... whatever will work for him.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

My seven year old was afraid to fly until I told him that it was 3 hours in the air or 24 hours in the car. His fear subsided significantly.

 

[dudspizza]

I suppose you don't want to come over to my house and watch "Red Eye" tonight then? Just kidding.

duds

 

[ameraumi]

I'm 32 and was scared to fly! I just made sure to have my headphones on and take deep breaths on my first flight this month. It really wasn't bad until we flew home over the tornados that hit TN on 4/9. That was one bumpy ride.

I would make him as comfortable as possible. Bring along a DVD player with his favorite movie. With did that with DD, who at 4 was flying for the first time. She did great and patted her legs to get the plane moving like they do in Little Einsteins! Loved it!

If he is still worked up, talk to his ped. Maybe s/he could give you tips on what to do.

 

[salmoneous]

Don't know if this would work for anyone else, but...

My brother's kid was afraid to fly. So they bought him some gameboy game that he really, really wanted and told him he could play it for the first time on the plane. He was so excited to play the new game, he pretty much ignored the whole fear thing.

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

My DD flew for the first time when she was 6 years old. She wasn't afraid but was a little disappointed. Here's why -

My DH has a friend that used to be an United Airlines mechanic. Back over Labor Day Weekend in September 2001 DH wanted to take DD (she was 4 at the time) to go watch planes take off so he called his friend and asked where at/around the airport would be a good place to sit. My DH's friend said if we wanted to see airplanes he could show them to us...up close and personal. So that Saturday he took us into the United Airlines hangar and we got to tour the insides of all kinds of planes. We went into one of the really big ones (767?) and toured the First Class section. There were big, comfy leater reclining seats with individual TVs. And lot of room! After touring the planes we went outside to watch planes take off and land. It was a fun afternoon. Little did we know that less than 2 weeks later 9/11 would happen.

Fast forward 2 years later to October 2003 - We are flying to Disney World with DD (her first flight) on ATA. When we boarded the plane and got in our seats my DD looked at me and said "These aren't like the seats in that other plane. And where is my TV?". Needless to say she was a tad bit dissapointed with the arrangements!

But I agree with other posters that said just be very reassuring to your child. And maybe a GameBoy or IPod would help distract them.

Debbie

 

[pepe of ohio]

but none of it has worked for me. I've flown to WDW 3 times, been very miserable and worse coming home. Our trip is less than 2 hours but its sheer terror to me. Can't really put what the terror or fear is but after 9/11, I have not flown nor will. Took drugs for the first 3 so as not to act like a scared child, I'm 57 by the way, and supply is limited, do not want to go back to the doc. Reaaly freakie now with Airport security, I always beep and get pulled over for something or other, and I always make sure I'm clean but its either a Christopher medal, belt buckle, pocket change or Copenhagen lid that sets it off. By the time I weed through them items, I'm sweaty as a drug smuggler, shaking and nervous and them people have no compassion or sense of humor.

Driving is a thing of the past, to stressing, no fun, boring and I can't usually ride in a car someone else is driving, even wife. 30 years ago, driving as fine, no traffic, few trucks but age has caught up to me and with that comes new phobias. Our problem solver for the past 10 years has been Amtrak, I love the train. I've had good trips and bad. But rolling down the tracks is relaxing, and enjoyable for me. Its quite long, 27 hours but when we arrive, I'm refreshed and relaxed and ready for play. Its how we do WDW now unless some miracle descends upon me and drives out these fears and phobias.

As to the topic, I've rattled on, sorry, I know how anyone feels that doesn't like to fly. Nothing you can say can make the experience better. My wife has no fear nor my 2 children. Go figure, must that after the wife, thank God.

 

[chirurgeon]

I started flying when I was 7 or 8. My parents split up and my dad got a job in Miami. Every summer for 5 years dad would fly to Pittsburgh and pick up my sister and me and we had a 2 week vacation in Florida. I have loved flying ever since the first flight, and I'm in my mid 40's now. The only thing that terrifies me for flying is a repeat of a flight to Los Angeles I took. 110 12 yo's returning from a DC field trip. Now that was not the most pleasant flying experience. The turbulance over the Rockies was great. The kids had to sit down.

As far as fear of flying in a 6 yo, mentioning a certain mouse and seeing him a lot sooner than if you were driving might help.

Good luck.

Kim

 

[mamacatnv]

but none of it has worked for me. I've flown to WDW 3 times, been very miserable and worse coming home. Our trip is less than 2 hours but its sheer terror to me. Can't really put what the terror or fear is but after 9/11, I have not flown nor will. Took drugs for the first 3 so as not to act like a scared child, I'm 57 by the way, and supply is limited, do not want to go back to the doc. Reaaly freakie now with Airport security, I always beep and get pulled over for something or other, and I always make sure I'm clean but its either a Christopher medal, belt buckle, pocket change or Copenhagen lid that sets it off. By the time I weed through them items, I'm sweaty as a drug smuggler, shaking and nervous and them people have no compassion or sense of humor.

Driving is a thing of the past, to stressing, no fun, boring and I can't usually ride in a car someone else is driving, even wife. 30 years ago, driving as fine, no traffic, few trucks but age has caught up to me and with that comes new phobias. Our problem solver for the past 10 years has been Amtrak, I love the train. I've had good trips and bad. But rolling down the tracks is relaxing, and enjoyable for me. Its quite long, 27 hours but when we arrive, I'm refreshed and relaxed and ready for play. Its how we do WDW now unless some miracle descends upon me and drives out these fears and phobias.

As to the topic, I've rattled on, sorry, I know how anyone feels that doesn't like to fly. Nothing you can say can make the experience better. My wife has no fear nor my 2 children. Go figure, must that after the wife, thank God.

So sorry flying is so miserable. I would revisit the Dr. and get some anti anxiety med's. My DR. gives me Xanax for when I fly, great stuff, takes the edge off and I don't feel drugged

 

[1stWDWtrip]

If all else fails just pull a scam like they do on Mr. T on the Ateam, they'll never know what happened till they wake up at the other end.