LivingTravelCoping with a child's fear of flying

Coping with a child's fear of flying

Fortunately, most kids are excited about air travel and rarely waste a moment worrying that they are five miles above safe and secure ground. But since one in six Americans is reportedly afraid of flying in airplanes, some of these people will surely be children, perhaps yours.

For some adults, the fear of flying becomes so acute that they enroll in courses to overcome their phobia. Hopefully, a scared child can be gently helped to enjoy the ride. Here are some tips for dealing with fear.

Talk about the problem

It’s never a good idea to dismiss a child’s startles calmly. Talk to your child about any concerns about an airplane trip; often, it can be a release simply to express your anxieties.

  • DO: Give your child a chance to talk about any anxiety he may have.
  • DON’T: Influence your child with your own safety concerns.

Underlying causes

Some psychologists suspect that a child’s fear of flying could represent some underlying anxiety. For example, about a divorce or other family hardship.

It is difficult to explore painful areas, but children are sometimes ready to share their problems if given the opportunity. At least give your child a chance to talk about any problem that bothers him.

Statistics don’t really help

Even with adults who are afraid of flying, there is no use arguing that many more people die in car accidents than in airplanes. As the nervous traveler sees it, even if only one person in 10 million dies on a plane, that person could still be him! And it may end up scaring your child about the car ride.

Learn how the plane works

Anxiety is often reduced by understanding how the plane flies, what turbulence is, etc. Find an online page for kids, like Dynamics of Flight, on the NASA site.

Children might also wonder: why do airplanes need to fly so high? Basically, the air at 30,000 feet is less than half as dense as the air at 5,000 feet; the plane can move faster through thinner air and requires less fuel. Also, conditions are milder above the clouds.

The day of the flight: eat nutritiously

Avoid sugars and refined carbohydrates. Don’t fall into the trap of your nervous toddler with too many treats – this could be a recipe for a nervous mood.

Do not rush

Get to the airport in plenty of time – rushing will increase the child’s anxiety. Take it easy, relax!

Bring lots of fun things to do

AKA distractions for a fearful child. Bring some fun, maybe even wrap them as gifts; The triple wrap multiplies the feeling of fun.

Bring some drinks and snacks too – passengers sometimes wait an hour for flight attendants to serve drinks; This waiting can stress a nervous child.

If turbulence hits …

“Captain Tom” in Fear of Flying has tips:

“First you have to know that turbulence is a problem for people just because people think that turbulence is a problem for the plane. In reality, the plane could not be happier than when it is in turbulence. It just doesn’t bother the airplanes, I only think it bothers the airplanes.

Turbulence is natural in the skies. If you get caught in turbulence, Captain Tom says, “Practice matching each down with an up.” We are usually unaware of the “ups and downs” because we are afraid of the “downs” (our instinctive fear of falling). But the “falls” are also balanced by an upward movement.

Storms

Electrical storms can scare children even on land. Your child can rest easy knowing that:

  • The aircraft’s radar can determine the size and intensity of storms.
  • Pilots generally avoid thunderstorms, but going through a storm is not dangerous
  • Lightning will not damage the aircraft or penetrate the interior. You are safe from lightning on the plane (whether flying or on the ground).

Interestingly, most airplanes are struck by lightning once a year. (Not that you have to tell your child that!) The lightning’s electricity flows along the aluminum skin of the plane and into the air.

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