I have to travel on a plane with my 4yo and my 8 week old....im terrified. My 4yo has never flown before, my 8 week old obviously hasn't either. My 4yo suffers anxiety and gets very panicked in unusual or strange situations, i have no idea how my 4yo is going handle being on a flight for 6 hours, 4yo could handle it alright or 4yo could handle it terribly and recently i heard a story on tv (not sure how accurate the information is) a family got banned or something along those lines from their flight to go home as their toddler was throwing a tantrum on the flight there. My 4yo is probably going to have a meltdown and be panicking on the flight and when 4yo is in such a state its very hard to calm 4yo down. Then with my 8 week old, there will probably be lots of crying as well....im freaking out, its making my palms sweat just thinking about it....i also suffer anxiety, and flying alone makes me nervous, let alone flying with 2 young children....anyone have any advice, reassurance or suggestions?
6 hour flight with 2 young children....help!
6 hour flight with 2 young children....help!
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression, Baby & Toddler
5 Replies
Firstly breath if you are anxious your children will pick up on it, so deep breathes. Firstly for your 4yo. Talk it up like its a big adventure! Pack them a little backpack with some her favourite toys, books colouring in and some snacks (and special snacks for take off and landing for their ears) if you have an ipad or tablet down load some games/ movies. Make sure if your child has a sercuity item you have that in the backpack as well. As for bub just make sure that on take off and landing they are sucking on something whether it boob, bottle or dummy.
Get your boy to watch lots of YouTube videos about going on a plane to prep him.
Check with your airline if they allow people with small children and babies to board the plane early. We use this service when I fly with my autistic son. It basically allows us to jump the boarding queue and get settled in our seats before everyone else does. It makes a HUGE difference.
Make sure your boy has the window seat and you have the one next to it. He won't disrupt people if he is upset him that position, so make sure you know how seats are allocated on your airline.
Babywear your baby so hands are free for your boy. Have a supply of your sons favourite lollies (this is no time to be health conscience) and keep him distracted by giving him a lolly every now and then. It will give him something to focus on and start before you get on the plane!
Have the rest of your things in a backpack to keep hands free again. If you have an iPad, let your boy use it. Talk to him about when he gets on the plane and it's taken off he will get to use the iPad all that he wants!
Give pain relief before getting on the plane. Those ears will pop and pre empting it will make it much much better.
Keep your anxiety under control because your kid will be more anxious if your are anxious.
Be calm, dont stress and it will all go fine. Im sure they will surprise you and youll womder why you worried. Just make sure you have more than enough milk and food for them. Get the entertainment for the 4 year old he'll be stoked.
And remember, even if worst case scenario they both scream for a few hours, youll get through. Someone will help you. People are really nice to traveling single parents. Not all, but enough go above and beyond and really make up for the rest.
Just focus on keeping yourself calm.
I would begin preparing your son by watching some videos about planes and how they work :) And just let him watch some people on planes and explain how it's like being in a car and you can even watch TV whilst you are up there. Tell him that it is a little bit noisy at first but if that is going to worry him, maybe let him pick out a pair of ear-cancelling muffs that he can wear at that time (can also get them for babies). As long as you remain calm then they will follow suit, if you start panicking and showing that you are anxious you're going to rub that off onto the kids.
You could also make up a little pack of crayons/colouring book and ask one of the stewards to give it to you son before takeoff as an exciting/calming down thing. I've seen this work a treat on flights before!
There's always a clucky middle age woman (like myself) on the plane, who will help, holding the baby or playing/chatting with your 4 yo.
I'd select seats down the back, window seat for your 4 yo. Advise the crew of your concerns. Do as much as you can ahead of time, like ordering snacks/meals (if domestic), iPad, etc
Look up any YouTube videos that show kids on planes, re seat belt wearing, what to expect, etc. Be even better if said video featured the particular airline you're flying with. My kids have autism and it's all in the detail!
Have a little backpack for your 4 yo containing favourite toys, games, a blankie,technology, snacks, drinks, etc
Wear the baby so your hands are free. Have bottles, dummy or boob at the ready
Be as prepared as can be. This helps reduce anxiety and I bet you will be pleasantly surprised at how well it all turns out