Son's first flight (long post)

[mummybunny]

 Hi all,

Tomorrow morning me and my 5 yr old harry are going on a tester flight to Dublin and back. He loves planes but was always terrified about going on one once he saw one banking. Think he imagined everyone falling out of there seats. My parents have a apartment in Turkey and my eldest Tom has gone out there with them for the last 3 yrs running for 2 wks hol's. My parents have wanted to take Harry but he just kept asking if he could go in a car to get there bless him.

Well this year he's saying he wants to go and yes to my shock wants to go on a plane. The flight are not on the cheap side and i was worried about him not getting on when he gets to the airport. So after abit of thinking thought a tester flight was the best option after a bit of searching i managed to get flights to Dublin £3 each way.

So tomorrow is the day the plan is pop over have a bit of lunch then pop back. Not much time in between landing and taking off about 2 hrs but needed there to be a back up plan if he wouldn't get back on the plane back to Bristol.

So the OH has taken the day off work worst case he can get the ferry over to pick us up.

Anyone else on here had a nervous flier? Any tips on how to keep him calm? He seems OK at the minute and has been counting down the sleeps. But I'm not sure how he will react when we get to the airport!

Fingers crossed.

We are a camping family and drive normally so not really a problem if he decides he doesn't want to take the flight. I'm not going to force him to get on just want to give him the option and try and combat this fear before he reaches adulthood. We have been to France Holland and are off to Spain this year by car so he's still managing to see the sites.

I'm gibbering now sorry for the long post  ;D

Lucy

[mummybunny]

[Tulipa]

Hi mb,

I think the tester flight is a brilliant idea and might take look for one for my youngest.  He has Asperger's Syndrome and doesn't cope well with new things so I am thinking of what I can do to help him before we fly off on hols in August.

I don't know if it will help you but if you are going from a BAA airport they usually have a plan of the airport online, so you could look at that beforehand and explain the processes you will go through, the screening etc will be a bit strange for him that the more he knows the more he can cope.  I have thought about getting an I Spy at the Airport book too, as he could be busy filling in all the things he can spot and it would take up some of the time waiting to board and take his mind off his fear.  Also I know airside stuff is expensive but time to treat himself to something to read/look at/play with on the plane or something might help.

My son also is sea sick and homeopathic travel sickness tablets Travella seem to work.  Whether it is just the placebo effect I don't know but we shall be taking them to fly too - every little helps!

Do you know to suck a boiled sweet on take off and landing to help the pressure in his ears?  And tell him it will feel like a fairground ride and tickle his tummy as you go up?

These are just suggestions, I am sure others will have more, just choose what you think will work, you know your son and how he is thinking.  Most of all is to make it fun and a treat if you can so he can put the fear to the back of his mind.

I shall be thinking of you and waiting to hear how you get on.

Hope it goes well

T.xx

[mummybunny]

Thanks Tulipa for the reply i will indeed try the fairground ride idea think that will really help he loves being tickled.

The i spy idea has reminded me that he has a book all about airports with pop ups and fun pictures and indeed can you see section so will go and find that now to take with us.

Thanks for the kind wishes i will let you know how we get on.

Lucy

[Old bird]

So long as you are not nervous and if he shows signs of fear - distract him by looking over at something else.  I cannot think that a 5 year old can have a plane phobia and can't be "jollied" and told what a great time they are having! 

Lego used to have planes to make up and all you need is one of their "people" in the plane situation which you can play with and show that he doesn't fall out of his seat (make sure he is fully pushed down in it).  I would think that you shouldn't have any problems - unless you allow them to become problems - which - with other half taking day off - in case - seems that you are making more of it than just a matter of fact and whoopeee aren't we lucky we are going on a plane to wherever!

I think you and other half should chill as he may be picking up your vibes and thinking that there is something to be frightened of!!!

Old Bird

;D

[mummybunny]

Sorry didnt make myself clear Harry doesnt know that the OH is having the day off just in case. He thinks its because were going on an adventure and daddy has to take his brother Tom to school and look after the youngest who's 3. I wanted to make sure that it seems all very exciting as its only the two of us going which doesnt happen often with having 3  ;D

He wont be picking any worries up from us were keeping it all exciting and fun. Just wanted to see if anyone on here had any tips that i hadnt thought of and it worked  :D

Thanks lucy

[saddad]

Hope you both have a great time...  :)

[mummybunny]

Thanks saddad  ;D Off to make the most of the weather now picnic in the park with lillie and the dog  ;D

[Old bird]

Well done Lucy! 

I am sure then that Harry will have the time of his life and exclusively with Mummy - WOW!!

Have a great time!

Ann ;D

[rosebud]

 What a brilliant idea, i hope it all goes really well for you both do let us know how you get on please . Good luck. ;D ;D ;D

[littlebabybird]

good luck mummybunny
the test flight is such a good idea

wish we had thought of that, you wouldnt believe how hard it was for me to  get back from our first ever overseas holiday 6 years ago Greece   :-[

[Pomadora]

good luck post the news of success.

[mummybunny]

Hi all

Well what can i say my son was a trooper. We got to the airport and went through to departures could see in his face that it was starting to worry him a bit so we sat down and spoke about it all. Then went to the shops to get some sucky sweets and as a treat he wanted some funky red sunglasses.

He sat in his seat on the plane fiddling with his lip as he does when he's nervous!! So we looked out of the window and spoke about what we could see while the plane taxied its way to the runway. When the plane started off down the runway we spoke how it was like a fair ground ride and i did tickle his tummy (thanks for the tip Tulipa). Next thing he knew we were in the air and seeing his little face light up was a picture. You could see the worry draining as the flight went on.

Had lunch in Dublin his choice which was lovely just the two of us. His confidence was amazing on the way back he was even telling where we had to go and do next  ;D  He even chose to sit by the window on the way back. You could see he was just so chuffed with himself and i am so proud of him.

His question when we got back to Bristol was 'So when am i going on holiday with nanny to Turkey'

Success  ;D ;D ;D ;D

[saddad]

Excellent... Turkey here we come....  ;D

[caroline7758]

Great news! You must be feeling well chuffed! :D

[Old bird]

Hey that is a terrific result and well done you!

Sounds like you will now have a seasoned traveller on your hands!

Best of luck for your trip to Turkey!

Old Bird

;D

[mummybunny]

Thanks guys  ;D

[tim]

Well done!

I remember how scared I was over flying inverted - thought I was going to fall out.

Eventually, I learned to trust my harness & spent a lot of time upside down as a sort of clever-clogs gimmick.

[grannyjanny]

Lovely story MB. What a good mummy you are. You can be very proud of yourself as well as your son.
Janet

[debster]

awesome way to go little fella

[rosebud]

Brilliant i am so glad it all went so well for you both ;D ;D.