7 year old scared to fly

[carrie s]

My 7 year old DS doesnt want to go to WDW because hes scared to fly there.He thinks the window in the airplane will break and he will be sucked out.I tried to tell him that its safe but he wont listen.Does anyone have any ideas. Its way to far for us to drive.

 

[flying_babyb]

Actully yes. Get a superman (or some hero hes into) window cling. Explain to him that this is a signal for superman to wacth over him and that superman will protect him as long as its on the planes window (check with your airline first). It might work.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I love the superhero idea!

Also, read books from the library about planes, pilots, etc.

And, if he doesn't consider the show too young for him, there is a episode of Caillou (PBS) in which he and Rosie take their first airplane ride.

Maybe even a field trip to the airport to watch lots of people getting off safely?

Good luck, and have a great trip!

 

[wdwprincess03]

Maybe you could find the episode of Mythbusters where they busted the myth that you would get pulled out of the window if it broke. It might calm his fears...

 

[clownchk]

Maybe you could find the episode of Mythbusters where they busted the myth that you would get pulled out of the window if it broke. It might calm his fears...

my 6 YO and 4 1/2 LOVE this show LOL!

 

[carrie s]

Thankyou for all of the ideas.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

You might want to ask over on this Fear of Flying forum: www.takingflight.us/forums

They are wonderful over there!

I took my 2 DDs on their first plane ride last summer. My youngest DD was 7 but she was more excited then her 11 year old sister. We talked about airline safety and looked at pictures of planes and the insides of planes.

Buy some special treats that are JUST for the plane - a new video game or new DVD. If all else fails, bribery works wonders...

When you get to the airport make sure you arrive VERY early to allow plenty of time to get thru security and walk around. Be sure to explain what happens at security so they will expect it (kids have to remove their shoes too!). Ask the gate agent if your child can meet the pilots and then tell the pilots your child's concern. They can put his mind at ease.

Also just FYI commercial aircraft have 2 panes on every window so even if one happened to break there is another one.

HTH!

 

[mcco5543]

You know Mommy's have special powers that keep children safe. As long as Mommy's are on the plane he'll be safe!

It's Mommy Magic.

Special Magic protection powers that every Woman gets when she becomes a Mommy.

No I'm not kidding i'm 27 Years old and my mommy is MAGICAL.

(Yes i know mommies don't have special powers but it sure feels like they do!)
That's what i'd tell your child, along with the super hero idea and along with all the other suggestions (looking at books/tvshows that show a child's first airplane ride, and arriving early and asking to meet key people like the flight attendents and/or pilot).
If he's a kid that can sniff out a tall tale maybe the superhero or Mommy thing won't work but the rest will.

I don't like flying either... Can you teach your child how to take slow deep breaths and bring hand held games to distract them?

Offering to put your arm around your child or hold their hand will help too I bet (I ALWAYS have someone distract me and hold my hand during the assent.. or during turbulance..that's the part I don't like, once i'm in the air and it's smooth i'm good)....Good luck. I'm sending your child lots of pixie dust and good vibes!!

Oooh how about have any of your child's friends flown somewhere? Or someone he really admires or respects (a teacher, a pastor, a grandparent etc..) maybe that person could tell your child the story of when they flew and how fun it was and how exciting and special?

 

[pezpam]

DD wasn't afraid of airplanes, but has had other safety-related fears. When we'd talk about it, I'd get her full attention, get her calm, and ask her something like "Do you think that Mommy, who loves you like crazy, would deliberately ask you to ABC if it was dangerous?" - smile on my face, loving hug ready, etc. That always calmed her enough that she'd go ahead and give whatever it was a try.

By 7, she was also smart enough for me to point out that the company (WDW, airline, whatever) really wanted their customers to come back and spend money and that that wouldn't happen if they made their rides/airplanes/whatever dangerous enough for people to worry.

 

[carrie s]

Thank you everyone for all the great ideas.
Were not going for another 5 months so I have time to prepare him.

 

[rwrocksme]

most of the time, kids are afraid of things because they don't understnd how they work. also, the media can fuel anyone's fear of planes nowadays. my advice is that you get some books about planes- some about how they work, and others about how much fun it is to fly on them. also, here is a helpful poem:

On an airplane, off we fly!
Soaring safely through the sky

Up we go, so very high
When you see a pilot, just say hi!

Look at all the things outside
As we take our fun plane ride!

Soon our airplane ride will be done
But when we get off, we'll be somwhere fun!

 

[Stephres]

I don't mean to butt in, but my seven year old was reading over my shoulder and said, "seven year old afraid to fly? I would be too." I asked him what he was talking about since we fly to PA every summer. He said, "ohhh, you mean in an airplane?"

It really cracked me up: they are so literal sometimes! Anyway, pixie dust to you and your seven year old. I hope one of these great solutions works for you!

 

[carrie s]

I don't mean to butt in, but my seven year old was reading over my shoulder and said, "seven year old afraid to fly? I would be too." I asked him what he was talking about since we fly to PA every summer. He said, "ohhh, you mean in an airplane?"

It really cracked me up: they are so literal sometimes! Anyway, pixie dust to you and your seven year old. I hope one of these great solutions works for you!

Thats so cute.

 

[bookgirl]

Have him draw a picture of what will make the window "safe". A special poem a prayer or a big heart. Then tape the picture to the window. Also take the tape then let him "tape" the window in just to make sure it's extra attatched to the plane.

Can't hurt.

Although at 7 I would think you might be able to logic him through it, but you never know with kids, I was sure that trains were going to leave the tracks and chase me down to run me over until I was 8 or 9.