[MickeyRon]

Okay... my 5 year old can be very dramatic at times :heart

She is very excited about flying but somewhat concerned... of course take off and landing she just won't quit asking how this happens... so we have a small toy plane and I show her... everytime is calms her... shes afraid that it's going to take off like a rocket:nervous Where do they get these ideas????

Anyway any help???:heart

Not just the nerves, but for flying in general with a 5 yr old.

[WVWISEGUY]

We flew with my DSs 6 & # last summer for the first time. We bought them a toy plane in the airport that looked like the one we were flying on and they played with them before and during the flight. Also we arrived early at the airport and they watched several planes arrive and depart, which helped calm them down some. Also, we explained to them several times before going to the airport about security and what they would do when going through security. We also informed them that mom or dad might have to go and show the security, or we called them police, what was in our bags and that it was ok. We took snacks and coloring books and things like that to keep them busy.

They did fine and are begging on flying again.

[PharroutRacing]

Can you take her out to the airport so she can see the planes take off. Maybe if she saw how the planes take off it would calm her down.

[DisneyAnne]

The first time my now 6 year old flew was a couple of years ago. He was TERRIFIED!!! I wish I had thought to show him a toy airplane or something. We put him in the middle seat so he couldn't see out the window. We also let him play with a Gameboy while in flight (those things work wonders;)). He fell asleep in the air so he missed the landing. When we stopped, I woke him up and he was surprised to find we were on the ground again. He couldn't wait for the return flight! Go figure... He LOVES to fly now and always asks when we get to go again. I am sure once your daughter goes through the initial flight, everything will be just fine.

[MickeyRon]

Cool!!! You mean I can have the window seat!!!!:D LOL

[DisneyAnne]

ABSOLUTELY!!!! (Just don't tell your wife I said so....) :whistle: ;)

[RMJKS05]

Originally posted by PharroutRacing
Can you take her out to the airport so she can see the planes take off. Maybe if she saw how the planes take off it would calm her down.

...Yup - That's what we did. Put them at ease once it came time for our flight.

[noahsark45331]

couple of things to take:
gum, to chew during take off and landing. The change in pressure really bothered my DS.

juice boxes, for the same reason. He could just get them out when he felt he needed it (just be careful, or you will make lots of trips to the potty!).

ask for a deck of cards, there is nothing like a deck of cards from the plane to keep a kid busy (ones from home don't play as well?)

Double check your kids pockets BEFORE going through security! I didn't and 9yo DS had an old cell phone in his pocket. They had to pat him down!! 15yo DS wore a pair of pants with about 1000 zippered pockets that set off the thing and had to be patted down! Make going through security as invasive as possible.

Good luck!

Cyndy

[richaimg]

I flew BY MYSELF with DD- 5 and DS-3 to Europe this summer. They both did GREAT. Our trip to WDW in 10 days will be their 9th and 10th flights THIS SUMMER.

My favorite take-alongs - lollipops for takeoff and landing (esp. if they are too young for gum - works great!), a bottle of water or juice boxes (in case your child gets thirsty before drink service arrives), snacks (same reason), wipes for washing hands (try fitting yourself and TWO children in an airplane restroom!) and a few toys.

There is so much to see on the plane - all the buttons, lights, seatbelts, tray tables, snack time, etc. Aside from a few books, crayons and stickers your daugher should be fine. Don't forget her favorite doll or teddy!

If you are calm and relaxed she will be too!

Good luck and happy flying!!:)

[MickeyRon]

Thanks for all of the great tips!!

We just returned from the airport, well about 3 hours ago now... she really enjoyed watching the planes take off and land!! The noise was a little much for her but she got used to it... so I think she will do fine... I mentioned that she could sit between Mommy and Me and she LOVED the idea... I GET THE WINDOW SEAT!!! LOL

[dab]

My DD flew at 3 1/2 and again at 4. She never expressed any concern or fear. Then agian, we never told her anything like you don't have to be afriad. I think doing/saying things like that kind of sets them up for anxiety. Chances are they never thought about being afraid until Mom or Dad said something. My DD looks to DH and I for her reassurance and when she sees that we are perfectly fine and nothing is different then she's fine too. As for the window seat... my DD would have been terribly disappointed if she didn't get to sit by the window. She thought it was really cool to look out at take off and landing!

You might want to pack a PB&J or other light meal in case you get stuck on the plane or at baggage claim longer than anticipated. Hungry kids get even grumpier when travelling! Don't forget a change of clothes in case of accidents - a bumpy flight can cause spills or upset tummys! A big ziploc bag and some baby wipes are also helpful.
To help pass the time, you can rent portable DVD players for around $20 at most airports. We rented in Atlanta and returned it at MCO upon arrival. And, you can get 2 sets of head phones.

[MickeyRon]

DAB, normally I would agree with you, but in our case DW and I enjoy flying and have only been positive about any of our experiences. DD was very excited about flying, but she is very curious and does not take anything at face value and started analysing how the plane is able to get so high so fast... that caused the anticipation about take off and landing... now that we went to the airport she is very calm... :)

I have only been joking about the window seat... of course if DD wants the window she gets the window... :D

Love your idea of extra clothing and zip lock bags/Wipes... we will be using those!! :heart

Luckly I have a laptop that will play DVD's... Yeah saved 20.00!!:)

[dlashe4977]

Get to the airport 1/2 hr early and let her watch the planes take off and land. Bring coloring books, crayons, activity books, lots of lollipops to help her ears pop. Also, tootsie rolls will help settle her upset tummy.
**Most importantly for safety, you should get her own seat on the airplane and she should sit in her car seat. :D

[disneyjenny]

I am going to make activity books for everyone when we fly. We too have a few first time flyers. This is to keep their minds occupied. Go to disneydollarless.com for "Disney" related activities. There are match games, word scrambles, mazes and much more.

dlashe4977, Do Tootsie Rolls really help settle upset tummys?

Thanks :)

[noahsark45331]

Disney Jenny, use this link to a website where you can make your own word search puzzles, mazes, etc. I did this for our trip last year! http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/

Have a great trip!:)