My 5 year old HATES to fly....what to do?

[connorlevismom]

My DS who is 5 absolutely hates to fly. He has been to WDW 3 times now and everytime has a melt down in the the plane before and during take-off. He absolutely hates flying. In fact, DH and I just got back from a week long vacation at WDW (adults only) and my son was happy he was not going because he did not have to get on a plane. He actually clapped when we told him he was not going.

So what do I do? He loves WDW but breaks down in tears everytime he talks about having to get onto a plane. Just the thought of it makes him tear up and that breaks my heart! But we live in MN and to drive would take 24 hours IF we drive straight through. So that does not seem like the best option either.

Kristine

 

[srwarden1928]

Maybe split the drive into two days? That would be MUCH more manageable IMO than 24 hours straight. DW does not like the idea of flying. I dread (a) the cost and (b) the packing rules. I like the idea that we can take whatever we want with us on vacation. Last trip to WDW I took two suitcases, two bookbags, and a laptop (an older BIG laptop). DW took two suitcases and two bookbags as well. Then we took a snack bag and three or four chubs of soft drinks.

 

[connorlevismom]

Maybe split the drive into two days? That would be MUCH more manageable IMO than 24 hours straight. DW does not like the idea of flying. I dread (a) the cost and (b) the packing rules. I like the idea that we can take whatever we want with us on vacation. Last trip to WDW I took two suitcases, two bookbags, and a laptop (an older BIG laptop). DW took two suitcases and two bookbags as well. Then we took a snack bag and three or four chubs of soft drinks.

We could but that just means wither we lose two days at WDW or we have to take an extra two days off work. When you already take a week off, it is hard to take more. But maybe we will give it a shot.

Kristine

 

[El&Asmom]

I hate to fly myself, but muster the courage to go. Dds have always been fine until this trip. On the way down, dd3, was scared to death during take off, dd5 was melting down on the way back. She kept screaming that she didn't want to fly again, and that she wanted to drive down next time. We are going in Jan, and there is no way we can drive from Chicago as it's for a conference and we don't have the extra vacation days to do the drive.
I think kids change as they get older. They will be fearful of different things at different stages. I just hope the more times they go, the more they get used to it.
TBH, I'm not much help. The main reason I hate to fly is the thought that I'm putting my kids in danger. Now that they are afraid to fly, I feel even worse. (I realize that I am being irrational as driving them to Target is actually less safe than flying, but I still hate flying). Good luck, I'm sure he'll grow out of it.

 

[nealsmith]

What does he say when you ask him why it hates it? Could you take a short flying trip somewhere?
Do you or your DH have any apprehensions about flying whatsoever? Is it possible he is picking up on this?
Did you have a bad experience on the previous trip(s), Trubulence etc?
I know how difficult it is to reason with our children, so I completely understand you situation. I would just listen to what his concerns are and try not to force anything on him.

Our children will be flying for the first time on our trip, 17 days from today.
I'm a minor aviation buff, so I've always shared my enthusiasm with my kids. They enjoy looking at and talking about planes. I am hoping this has placed a good groundwork for their first experience in a large plane. If nothing else, 'hey dad loves it so it can't be that bad....' I hope

You may have already done some research, but I'll post this anyway.
Fear of Flying (About.com)
Fear Free Flying

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[teachallday]

Have you found out what he doesn't like about flying?

 

[connorlevismom]

He tells me that he does not like to take off. It goes to fast, he says. He is pretty much fine on the flight other than the take off and the time before it. He just hates to take off and gets major anxiety before it happens.

As for DH and I. We have no issues with flying at all so I don't think that he picked it up from us. He just has always hated take-off. He has no issues with landing and likes turbulance about as much as anyone.

Kristine

 

[teachallday]

At 5 years old you might try a simple approach. Get something like a Mickey Mouse doll dressed as a Pilot (I have seen them on E-bay). Tell your son that the Mickey has special powers to protect him during airplane trips. (basicly you are creating a security blanket for airplane trips) Reasure him that you understand that he is scared but you, daddy, and mickey will all be there to protect him and keep him safe.

Also keep in mind the issue you face during take off. The noise, the ears poping, and the rumbling of the plane.

Being different places on the plane will give different feelings. Personally I prefer to be over or in front of the wings. I don't like the feelings further back.

Remember you can not dismiss your sons fears, they are real to him. You have to acknowledge them and figure out how to move forward.

 

[SnowandMittens]

When I was smaller, I guess I had a fear of flying...

My mom and dad always tried to schedule really late flights... most of the time, if I was up for a really long time, I would fall asleep before take off. Having a pillow and a blanket made me feel better, and maybe getting him some headphones or ear plugs will help.

 

[NiftyJ88]

Could you fly in the middle of the night while he's sleeping? It would probably be a pain to try and do everything with him asleep, and maybe he isn't a heavy enough sleeper to do that. It's just a thought...