Taking out first cruise summer 2015 on either Fantasy or Dream and DD10 is very worried about ship movement. I can reassure her all I want and tell her about medication and Sea Bands but it doesn't help. She has no frame of reference for just how big these ships are and how little movement she'll feel. Pictures of the ship just don't convey size.
Anyone have ideas on how to show her how big it is in comparison to her to something person sized? A
YouTube video or photo or something? I've shown her a large hotel locally and tried to explain the ship is bigger than that but she doesn't get it. I don't want all our plans derailed because shes in a panic over nothing.
Thanks!
As a pediatrician, it sounds like she is developing a little stress response to the trip. Unfortunately, logic and reason are rarely helpful in that setting. In fact, the more you reassure her, the more nervous she may become.
Because you have a year until you cruise, I suggest a combination approach:
1. Hold off on discussing the cruise with her. Your natural tendency is to try to resolve the issue. That will backfire, as each discussion will make her more nervous. By letting things rest for a few months, she does not have to constantly think about it.
2. PP had a great idea about visiting ships at the port. See if you can take it one step further; find a cargo ship or perhaps a naval/coast guard vessel that you can tour. Touring a docked ship may help alleviate some of her fears about the cruise. During the tour, do NOT continually compare the ship to the Disney ship. Just have a nice tour. If she brings up the Disney ship, you can respond with something like: "Yup, the Disney ship is a lot like this, but prettier." I suggest you do the ship tour on a beautiful sunny day, preceded by her favorite breakfast or lunch and followed by ice cream.
3. When you get closer to the cruise and it is time to talk about it, again do not get trapped in the cycle of trying to alleviate her fears. Instead, direct the conversation to other aspects of the cruise. As I mentioned before, telling a child "everything is fine," "it is very safe," etc. does very little good. You are trying to pit reason against emotion, which is pretty ineffective, even with adults! You can be very loving and caring without getting into a nonstop back and forth of "I'm worried" "It will be alright."
A good method is to validate her feelings, then move the subject forward. For example: "I'm scared about the boat." "It is ok to be scared, a lot of people are the first time. Mom and dad will be right there to help you. Once our vacation starts, we will get to [insert activity, movie, princess meet and greet, etc. here]."
I hope that helps. Good luck, and enjoy your cruise!
