Flying anxiety for DD6.....HELP!!

[kddlm]

My DD (6) has such flight anxiety. She has flown 2x before but always cries during takeoff and landing (and any turbulence in between). She is so worked up anytime I even mention with excitement that we "leave for disney in 23 days" she breaks out crying saying "DON'T TALK ABOUT IT"!!! I want her to be as excited as I am and feel sad that she has such anxiety!!! Any suggestions....anyone else go through this?? HELP!!!!

 

[CEDmom]

Can she explain to you what's so scary for her? Does she have physical discomfort? The pressure can really hurt some kid's ears. I know my own 6yo has problems with that and just before a trip we go pick out some lollypops that are just for the plane (The Disney Store usually has princess ones). If it's more anxiety maybe there are some special activity books or other things you could get for her to do that would take her mind off the experience.

 

[mmeb144]

Try buying earplanes for kids. My DKs wear these earplugs and they really help with the pressure.

Chewing gum or starbursts work really well, too, to relieve the pressure build-up in those little ears.

Another thing I do is lots of distractions. One time, my DD and I looked through the catalog in the seat and "went shopping" while the plane took off. She didn't even realize that the plane had taken off until we were in the sky. (Yay!) My DD says to have her look at the wings, they do interesting things while the plane is going up and down.

She can pretend that the plane is an attraction at WDW. (You know, "The Plane Ride!") Sometimes the turbulence seems like a bunny hop on a roller coaster.

Well, my family also likes to ride the escalator at malls and airports, too. So, our taste in "rides" may be considered different.

Hope this helps.

Marie