Need help reassuring my 7 year old DD about flying!

[traces7]

Just me and my DD are flying to WDW in Oct. All of a sudden last night shes says she doesn't want to go, because she doesn't want to fly on the airplane! (This is her first time flying and only my second!) She was really upset about it and now I'm worried. Does anyone have any ideas or tips for me to help reassure her? Should I talk to her more about it or don't talk about it? I'm worried the more I bring it up the more nervous she'll get.
I've told her flying is safer than driving, etc. We're also planning on taking a drive to the airport and checking it out when our trip gets closer, so maybe that will help a little too.
I don't think I've said anything to make her so scared of flying. My DH isn't going though because he doesn't want to fly, so maybe she's getting it from him, although he hasn't said anything negative about it either.
Has anyone else's kids been afraid of flying? How have you handled it? How were they once they got on the plane? (I'm sure she'll think it's neat once we're on it). Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[CEDmom]

I'd play it up like an adventure the 2 of you are taking. Maybe get a few books for children about flying. Also, take her to pick out some things to take on the plane like activity books, stickers, model magic etc and maybe a few special treats like lollypops (great for clearing ear pressure). Also, let her back a small backpack with some comfort items.

Finally, if your DH isn't afraid to fly maybe he could explain to your DD why he doesn't want to go. Maybe he's tall and the seats aren't comfortable or whatever.

Good luck, I'm sure she'll be fine.

 

[freckles and boo]

Since you aren't going until October, I would wait a little while to see if this passes. If she still scared or anxious in a month or so, I would try to find out specifically what it is she is worried about. Kids are strange. Sometimes they worry or get scared about things that we wouldn't even consider. I think preparing her for flying by visiting the airport is great because she will be able to hear the engine noises, smell the jet fuel, see the lines and how the security check points work. You won't be able to go beyond security without tickets, but maybe you could find some photos of the interior of a plane online so she could see what it will be like inside. I would also suggest explaining the noises and sensations of take-off, turbulence, and landings. After many, many flights those things still rattle me. Best of luck!

 

[Honeybehr1]

DS doesnt do well flying. The first was a baby and he ended up with an ear infection from fluid build up that didnt leave - ER visit and all while on vacation.
Second trip, he was hysterical.
This past trip(which he didnt know about because of the whole flying issue) I consulted with his ped about medication to take the edge off. We tried alot of differnt ones but nothing seemed to make him the least bit drowzy (even valium) Ended up givinghim Benedryl and he was the only one on the flight that DIDNT cry. I take it before I fly as well. It dries me up and I dont get blocked ears (which before Benedryl they stay blocked for an average of 5 days)

Benedryl - wont fly with out it

 

[zookeeper]

I'm not a big fan of flying either and before our trip last Sept. I hadn't flown for almost 10 years so I was pretty nervous. I had to put on a brave face for the sake of our kids who were flying for the first time. I came across a website with advice for those afraid of flying and the best piece of advice I took from that was about dealing with turbulance (which is why I'm afraid). It said to imagine the airplane is like a boat and the turbulance is the "waves" in the air. A boat bumps when you go over waves, but it doesn't bother us because we can see the waves and we know that we'll be fine. So when we flew everytime we hit a patch of turbulance (not often, Thank God!) I just reminded myself that we were riding waves. Amazingly, it actually helped me stay calm.

 

[graciespeaks]

I too would consider this an adventure, but I wouldn't talk about it very much.
After she boards the plane I would give her some chewing gum to help prevent (as much as possible) her ears from stopping up.
It seems to help me some.

 

[freckles and boo]

I'm not a big fan of flying either and before our trip last Sept. I hadn't flown for almost 10 years so I was pretty nervous. I had to put on a brave face for the sake of our kids who were flying for the first time. I came across a website with advice for those afraid of flying and the best piece of advice I took from that was about dealing with turbulance (which is why I'm afraid). It said to imagine the airplane is like a boat and the turbulance is the "waves" in the air. A boat bumps when you go over waves, but it doesn't bother us because we can see the waves and we know that we'll be fine. So when we flew everytime we hit a patch of turbulance (not often, Thank God!) I just reminded myself that we were riding waves. Amazingly, it actually helped me stay calm.

I always imagine that it is like a bumpy road.

 

[mumeof3]

I think all the advice is great,also let the airline when you check in at the gate know that this is her 1st time and she is scared maybe a stewerdest(for the life of me can not spell it right} could pay a little more attention to your child and make it a little more un-nerve wrecking,also tell you dh to explain he is not afaraid{even if he lies}

we are also taking our children for the first time on a plane and so far I am guessing my 13 year old daughter will be the only one having a problem...may give her some benadryl and myself a zanax just kidden...

 

[Alex2kMommy]

My DS was nervous when we hit some turbulence on our trip. I told him that hot air pushes up, and cold air pushes down, and we must be hitting an area with air pushing up and down on the plane. I told him it made my tummy tickle, like a fun ride, and from then on he just giggled whenever we bumped a bit.

I agree with another poster, if you can figure out what your DD is afraid of, try to explain it to her. I also like the idea of reading up on airplanes and how they work, that may help, too.