How did you prepare your child for first plane ride?

[disney4me4ever]

We are taking our neice (9) and nephew (5) to WDW next week. Neither has ever been on a plane; both tend to get carsick easily. My sister is coming along, also, but has done nothing to get the kids prepared. What types of things could she do to prevent anxiety? I suggested going to the airport to show the kids the planes taking off and landing; of course, the new security measures prevent just about anything else inside the airport. What else can I suggest?

TIA,
Nancy

 

[ptslp]

I was a carsick child and took dramamine before I flew all the time and it worked perfectly. I slept the whole trip. I would just talk to the kids that a plane is like a car and bring lots to keep them occupied!

 

[OntFamily]

The best way to prevent the kids from having anxiety, is to not have the adults show anxiety.


A 5 year old won't be worried about security, unless someone tells him to be worried.

 

[NewCrew42]

My children always pack a back pack of activities for the plane as well as a little snack of their own. Sometimes I even take them to the $1 store to by a few new activies that cannot be used until the flight. They are so excited about their backpacks, etc., they think very little about flying. We always talk about how fun and cool it is so they aren't worried at all.

 

[KimWDW]

I was a very carsick child, but for some reason never had that problem on planes. I would puke after an hour in a car, but three hours in a plane--no problem! So, maybe it will be the same for them. I would recommend giving them a snack or gum to chew during takeoff and landing to help with their ears.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I would definately think about dramimine. It will also make them slightly tired which might not be so bad.

If they have any sinus, allergy, or ear problems, you may want to consider earplanes. They equalize the pressure, so their ears don't pop. Most people can just chew or swallow, when they fly, so no prob. But for some, the pressure can be unbearable. My mom, for instance will have a terrible headache, for a few days after flying without them. If you do find you wnat to get them, they do make a child's size, and have them try them on at home, so they get used to them. They feel rather funny at first.

I might also sit one child with one adult, but maybe not in the same row. You could only do this if one is ok to be without mom. I know my kids (same ages), are better apart sometimes. Less competing for my, or DH attention, and if one gets anxious, they won't feed the other's anxiety.

 

[disney4me4ever]

Thanks so much everyone for your excellent suggestions! I was *trying* to remember the name of 'earplanes' and couldn't, so thanks for mentioning that. DN has always had ear problems (tubes, etc) and still has some residual anxiety w/loud noises (fireworks), and I was worried about the air pressure. I know my sister bought the dramamine tonight, so we have that covered. Hopefully there will be pixie dust on that plane!

Nancy

 

[Tippurr_2004]

I have never heard of "earplanes". What are they and where do you get them? We may be taking a plane to disney next December and I don't know how my DGS may handle the pressure of the plane. This may be something I need to look into. Thanks.

Tippurr

 

[ladydancer]

I just purchased mine at our local Kohls store in the luggage dept. Try the luggage dept. in your local stores.

 

[ep4244]

I explained to my kids it was like riding on a highway made of clouds and in the sky it's just like in the car you hit potholes in the clouds (turbulence). I also agree that if the adults show no anxiety the kids will be fine. I also get the kids a surprise gift so they have something new that they've never played with before and this occupies them for a good while. Treat it like a long car trip, except they can get up and move around once in a while.

And since you're flying to MCO there will probably be lots of other kids on the plane - I encouraged my girls to make new friends - they usually ended up talking about disney and we actually ran into 2 of the kids from our flight at the parks during our last trip (what a "Small World").

My DD's are 7 and 9

 

[mrskay9]

There's also these motion sickness wristbands. I'm not sure of the age of the kids if this would work, but you could tell them they are magic bands. "You won't get sick if you have the magic bands on."

But the other suggestions already given are good too.

Have fun!

 

[ducklite]

The best way to prevent the kids from having anxiety, is to not have the adults show anxiety.


A 5 year old won't be worried about security, unless someone tells him to be worried.

That is some of the best advice I've read around here in a long time!

Anne

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I usually can find earplanes at CVS- Next to the ear plugs.