First time flight for DD 4

[Heidijs]

So, this will be my daughter's first time flying, she just turned 4. It's about a 3 hour trip. Should I prepare her in any way? All I've really told her is that we're flying in a plane to disneyworld. I don't think she "gets" it. I'll point up to the planes we see in the sky and I'll say, we're going on that. She looks at me like I'm nuts...now I hate flying...so I have to put on a good poker face when we get to the airport and make it a fun experience for her. My DH has flown lots of times and could care less. Do I talk to her more about it or maybe that's not the best idea? Just show up and go? She's not one to flip out in public or be rotton, we don't allow it and she's just not that type.

I'm guessing that since we're flying out of Minnesota, the majority of the flight will be full of families going to DW and business people. So I'm guessing while we wait to board, she'll see these kids and get excited cus they're going too. KWIM? Any suggestions on how to prepare her or should I just leave it as it is?

 

[bgirl29]

I think I would talk to her about going through security so she is not surprised or upset when she has to take her shoes and jacket off and walk through the metal detector alone.

 

[Granna4679]

So, this will be my daughter's first time flying, she just turned 4. It's about a 3 hour trip. Should I prepare her in any way? All I've really told her is that we're flying in a plane to disneyworld. I don't think she "gets" it. I'll point up to the planes we see in the sky and I'll say, we're going on that. She looks at me like I'm nuts...now I hate flying...so I have to put on a good poker face when we get to the airport and make it a fun experience for her. My DH has flown lots of times and could care less. Do I talk to her more about it or maybe that's not the best idea? Just show up and go? She's not one to flip out in public or be rotton, we don't allow it and she's just not that type.

I'm guessing that since we're flying out of Minnesota, the majority of the flight will be full of families going to DW and business people. So I'm guessing while we wait to board, she'll see these kids and get excited cus they're going too. KWIM? Any suggestions on how to prepare her or should I just leave it as it is?

We just returned with our DGD4 and she had never flown before either. She absolutely loved the plane. Be sure and take things for her to do (we took pads, pencils, coloring books, and a few other things). We had a 2+ hour trip and once you are in the air...they get really bored. Maybe take her to the airport and watch the planes before hand take off and land. And above all....make sure they "potty" before you get on....it never fails that they have to go when the seat belt lights are ON. Ha!! Have a great trip.

 

[DISdreamin']

Since she will have to walk through security by herself, I'd role-play that one with her a couple times. Also, the shoe drill is a good one to go over too. Have her lined up to be your helper getting the shoes in the bin.

As for on the plane, I'd make sure to have a small sack that she packs herself (with your approval, of course!) that will go under the seat in front of her. My DD loves to bring a favorite blanket and stuffed animal for flights. Also, I always go over etiquette (sp?) rules for on the plane...no kicking, no smacking the tray table, etc. That really seems to help. And a new activity always does wonders settling them down - I try to always have one new thing they've never seen for each long trip.

Oh, and a camera is wonderful!! Having them snap pictures really helps distract my kids from what otherwise might be something stressful. Just some thoughts for you... Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Heidijs]

Oh that's right, security. Well I'm sure she'll see tons of kids doing it ahead of her and she's one of those monkey see monkey do when it comes to other kids, especially ones that are a little older than her. She likes to run with the big dogs and do what they do so I'll just show her how they're doing it too and we're all going to disneyworld. But I will talk to her about it before the trip. I'll have her go between me and DH as far as the metal detector. I booked an afternoon flight so hopefully there's no meltdown or crabbies before we get on the plane and I'm hoping she'll pass out once we board. If I can get her near the airport one of these days I will but it's about 2 hours from home so not a trip I'd just take to see the planes but we do plan on hitting the mega mall one of these days and that's right across the highway. Good ideas!

I wonder how messy the floors will be for taking your shoes off in the airport? Ick!!!!

 

[bopper]

I would get a book about airplanes from the library. There will be some sort of "Joey goes on an Airplane" type book. Read that to her.

Then role-play security and sitting on an airplane. Start telling her now that you have to stay in your seat with the seatbelt on, just like in the car, EXCEPT when you need to go to the bathroom (and only when the special light is on).

Bring some new activity books/stickers/toys for her.

Bring a sippy cup...you don't want her to get a glass of juice with no top!
BUT REMEMBER WHEN YOU LAND THAT THE AIR PRESSURE CHANGES SO AFTER YOU LAND, OPEN THE TOP TO RELEIVE THE PRESSURE...
or you might get a face full of juice.

 

[Bren's Mom]

For the airport bring a clean pair of socks in your carryon. After going through security you can change out her socks so she has a clean pair on for keeping her feet warm in the seat that don't have anything yucky on them from the floor.

DEFINTELY don't rely on being able to see lots of other kids go through security. Some are not set up so that you can see very much. Role play with her ahead of time as others have suggested. Go through bags going through the xray machine, having to walk through the detector alone, taking off her shoes. For my son, who is 'all boy' we also warned against talking about guns or shooting or the plane 'blasting' (he kept saying he couldn't wait to 'blast off' i.e. take off).

And prepare her for odd noises and 'feelings' on the plane. Funny feelings in her ears, the 'bump' of the landing gear going up, etc. Don't overwhelm or scare her, just let her know it will be a little different, like a ride at Disney...LOL.

She'll be fine!

 

[puffkin]

DEFINTELY don't rely on being able to see lots of other kids go through security. Some are not set up so that you can see very much. Role play with her ahead of time as others have suggested. Go through bags going through the xray machine, having to walk through the detector alone, taking off her shoes. For my son, who is 'all boy' we also warned against talking about guns or shooting or the plane 'blasting' (he kept saying he couldn't wait to 'blast off' i.e. take off).

Agreed. It is hectic and loud and confusing at security. Amazingly (especially in Orlando) you don't see a lot of kids. Somehow they just magically appear at the gates LOL. Not sure where they are at security. I would just prepare her as stated above.

As for the plane, DS3 has flown plenty of times and i still don't think he quite gets it. I would simply tell her that it can be a bit noisy and bumpy like a car and that we have to stay in our seats. Then just bring some activities to keep her occuppied. I have found that with DS the less detail the better sometimes

 

[crashbb]

Definitely explain security. A few years ago there was a very traumatised little guy going through the security lane next to me who did not want Thomas (his carry on was Thomas the Tank Engine) and was wailing. The agents were doing their best to be helpful, but Thomas had to go through the x-ray machine and there was no way to do that and not upset the boy.

Preparing him ahead of time would probably have helped, but I suspect that mum/dad never imagined it would be an issue (or they did try to prepare him and he still had issues).

 

[bmartin1206]

So, this will be my daughter's first time flying, she just turned 4. It's about a 3 hour trip. Should I prepare her in any way? All I've really told her is that we're flying in a plane to disneyworld. I don't think she "gets" it. I'll point up to the planes we see in the sky and I'll say, we're going on that. She looks at me like I'm nuts...now I hate flying...so I have to put on a good poker face when we get to the airport and make it a fun experience for her. My DH has flown lots of times and could care less. Do I talk to her more about it or maybe that's not the best idea? Just show up and go? She's not one to flip out in public or be rotton, we don't allow it and she's just not that type.

I'm guessing that since we're flying out of Minnesota, the majority of the flight will be full of families going to DW and business people. So I'm guessing while we wait to board, she'll see these kids and get excited cus they're going too. KWIM? Any suggestions on how to prepare her or should I just leave it as it is?

I agree with others. Take things to do while on the plane and include gum, nuts, grapes, drink etc...something to chew or drink on to help alleviate any ear popping. I used to work security and agree with others. Maybe a little role play wouldn't hurt. Some kids don't like to be separated from the parent among strangers even though you'll be right there. Save yourself some hassles and review what is allowed on the plane these days by going to TSA's website. Best advice. Carry on as little as possible, don't wear a belt or other metal parts if possible and wear easy off/on shoes for all.

 

[Heidijs]

Good suggestions. Sometimes with my DD it's better to leave certain things out and just do it, she rarely freaks about new experiences. She's usually just standing there dumbfounded and its' done before she knows it. MSP airport you stand in a big line for security so she'll see everything going on before it's our turn. But I'll still try to prepare her. My biggest thing is watching movies that have airport scenes or plane scene or 911 crap. Kinda hard in this day and age but I don't want her to see bad airplane stuff by accident either. I couldn't help but watch the movie Airplane last week though. She wasn't watching it but I just cracked up laughing watching it. Most things on TV she's oblivious too but soon enough she'll start associating things with real life if you know what I mean...

 

[carrie6466]

Our dd's first flight was at age 4 and around the same length of time, 3 hrs or so. We prepared her for security, her fav. cuddly toy and shoes going in the bin, her walking through the detector without us, etc.

I bought new toys and activities for her at the $1 store, as well as a new game for her leapster. I packed a bag of her fav. snacks, etc. We flew Jetblue. As soon as we got on the plane and she saw the tv, she put on the headphones and watched cartoons the whole flight. Never heard a peep from her and never opened the backpack once LOL

 

[pittsburghmarc]

She took her first airplane ride in August to WDW. We bought her own carry-on with wheels so she could pack her activities and pull it through the airport like Mom and Dad. Worked great.

By the time the plane was off the ground, she already wanted her activities. Two hour flight.

Don't sweat it. She'll follow your lead.

 

[The Hendies]

For what its' worth....When our kids were young we got some good advise. Do NOT pre-board when they ask if any families with small children want to get on. It can add 20+ minutes to waiting for take off. We had an assigned seat, so getting on last seemed like a good plan. Hope your trip goes well!

 

[happymommy]

Flying with a 4 year old is much easier than with a 2 year old plus a breastfeeding baby - what I did without DH. Honestly, it's no big deal. Just bring some things to keep her occupied during the flight.

If you stress about flying, do not let her know that. Kids won't be naturally afraid of it. Just go and have fun! I always loved flying when I was little; it was an adventure.

I would preboard if it were just me and my kids on Southwest, so we'd get a row all together (I have always flown with them alone a lot). Also, we carry on a lot (now we don't check luggage at all, haven't for years) so I like to make sure to get the overhead bins. If you have assigned seats and not too much carry on stuff, I agree that preboarding is just more time on the plane. Use the time before to run off a bit of energy and use the potty (so hopefully you don't have to go on the plane, it's tight in there with two people!).

 

[aetrom]

on security - please don't put one of those cute monkey harnesses on them. they WILL take them off at security and the child probably will be VERY upset. (personal experience)

- they WILL have to walk through the metal detector alone.
- I explain to Eli every time we fly that when we take off it will push him back into his seat. and his ears will feel funny so he needs to chew something or have some candy or some thing. (he likes this!) and that when we land we start counting once we see the runway so he can "prepare" for landing and make it kind of fun. cause the bump and breaking can be intimidating.

other than that. I say get a fun new activity book (even at the airport) and keep her entertained doing it (reading instructions having her look for various things, etc and you will be fine.

 

[Heidijs]

I already picked our seats for going out and coming back. We're near the rear of the plane so we'll be getting on early.

So what did your kids do when they looked out the window and saw the land disappear? I know she's going to want to either sit by the window or look out. I hate looking out the window!!!!!! What did your kids do? I either think she'll think it's neat or look at me and scream bloody murder and they'll turn the plane around and we'll be on CNN that night.

 

[hereyago]

If I may chime in: When DD11 was about 4, we went on a couple day cruise. However, she would not give "fluffy" up at the xray machine. THe lady was nice and explained that fluffy had to be checked on.

THe next trip we were taking, I knew it would be flying. So we role played airport security, her even holding a fake boarding pass. I also explained about turbulence on a plane and even put her in a dining chair and at that time was able to lift it up and simulate turbulence.


DD is now a veteran at it. And she still wants to play airport security before we go, except now she is too big for the turbulence of the dining chair. But she is a really good flyer and usually falls asleep at take off. Her longest flight stretch was from Honolu to New Jersey.

I also second the bag of things for them to do and snacks. Good luck and have a good time.

 

[happymommy]

I already picked our seats for going out and coming back. We're near the rear of the plane so we'll be getting on early.

So what did your kids do when they looked out the window and saw the land disappear? I know she's going to want to either sit by the window or look out. I hate looking out the window!!!!!! What did your kids do? I either think she'll think it's neat or look at me and scream bloody murder and they'll turn the plane around and we'll be on CNN that night.

I've yet to see a child afraid of flying, but have a good friend who is a bit apprehensive.

I wouldn't make anything of it, don't point out the land or anything. Kids pick up on our cues. I'd let her have the window seat - they do like to look and point things out. My kids have to take turns with the window seat - so one gets it one way and the other gets it on return.