In less than a month I will be visiting family back east. I'm not quite sure if dh is going but ds, of course is going. I haven't flown in 10 years and I am nervous. Everyone around here just seems to travel without a glitch but I will be freaking out the night before my trip. I've read a lot on what to take for small children and things like that. All suggestions are welcome.

Besides that...I hate to fly. I've done it quite a few times, but never enjoyed it. Can anyone relate? Or does anyone like/not mind flying? It might help if you can talk to me about that. I know my fears are irrational, but they still exist. I'm not worried about physically freaking out but I remember I cried a few tears on my first flight and I don't want ds to know my fear of flying.

Also, my dh works in the airline industry for a minimal fee, we will be flying stand-by. So we may get stuck somewhere. Okay, I'm rambling...Help!

By Melana on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 10:31 pm:

I flew for the first time with my dd, at the time six months, and she did great to my surprize. I was nervous at first, but I closed my eyes and did deep breathing tecniques while the plane was taking off, and shut the window. Once it was in the air and steady I was fine. HTH

By Christylee on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 10:46 pm:

I just recently flew with my son who is three for the first time. I had not flown since I was 8 (I'm 28 now) and I was REALLY upset, anxious, and downright scared about it so I can TOTALLY understand how you are feeling. Honestly I don't know what to tell you to do before you get there BUT I can tell you once I got there I was fine. I think the majority of it was 1. having to deal with my son who was terrified and not wanting to show him how I was feeling and 2. finding someone on the plane who could understand and was a frequent flier. Thankfully since I was dealing with a hysterical son my fears went away. All I can say is that your mind can do a lot of things to you and I found out that's what MINE was, I was thinking about to many things. Try to focus on the outcome of the flight, getting to see your family and keeping son busy. I suggest taking a few "new" toys with you to occupy time and get him some "wings" from the stewardess, that made my son's flight home.

You'll be fine and have a wonderful time with your family!

By Truestori on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 10:50 pm:

I suffer from the same fear! UUGGHHH

The last time I took a plane my daughter was 2! So almost 10 years ago.

As for your son, I would say wrap up some special toys that he can unwrap and play with. (kids love to unwrap stuff) If he watches cartoons I would by a video-now with some of his shows, unless the airline offers Direct tv which many do now. Lots of snack food, playdoh, crayons, books, anything that he enjoys at home that is small enough to travel! Enjoy yourself and don't stress to much if thats possible.

By Kaye on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 09:45 am:

I don't particularly like flying either. But I do it, not often but probably about 6 times in the past 10 years. First I repeat to myself, you are more likely to get struck by lighting than die in a plane crash. (911 really had me crazy). As far as kids, we went to hawaii in oct which is crazy long. We took a walkman with books on tape, my youngest was amazed with this. Took lots of little snacks and didn't let him know. Use a back pack for a carry on, this way your hands are free. I pack one change of clothes for each of us, just in case..LOL. Really you will be fine, it is okay to fly, it is safer than driving a car, etc.

By Melanie on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 11:27 am:

I also get nervous when it comes to flying. Like Kaye, I talk myself through it rationally. Thousands of planes fly every day with no problem. On 9/11, the worst day in aviation history, there were 5000 planes in the air and 4 went down. Even on that day odds were in your favor that you would land safely.

Good luck, and have a wonderful trip.

By Rayanne on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 12:01 pm:

I hate to fly!!! I flew for the first time when I was 15 and when we landed I screamed as loud as I could because it landed so hard that I thought we had crashed. I will never fly again.

By Children03 on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 12:27 pm:

I get nervous too, but try to just relax and think of something positive and maybe it will help as you take off and the fly will be over before you know it. I hope you have a great flight and trip. /image{file:///C|/web/turner/clip art2004/smile.gif}

By Children03 on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 12:29 pm:

I get nervous too, but try to just relax and think of something positive and maybe it will help as you take off and the fly will be over before you know it. I hope you have a great flight and trip.

By Sunny on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 02:34 pm:

I get a little nervous when flying, but I talk myself through it. The times I have flown with my kids, I make it a point to be upbeat and calm. I find that when I concentrate on making it an enjoyable trip for my kids, we are all more relaxed. I do not like the take-off or landing, but am fine once we're in the air.

Disclaimer - I am not recommending or endorsing these methods! I My DH is a very nervous flyer and I have had to talk him into it flying every time. He asks his doctor for anti-anxiety meds to take before the flight and it helps keep him calm. I also know people who have a glass of wine before the flight to keep them calm.

By Truestori on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 02:42 pm:

Sunny~ ROFLMBO Your disclaimer is so funny!

By Momaroze on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 03:14 pm:

I get nervous too. I try not to think about anything (until I'm on the plane of course) but then I'm usually excited which tends to over ride my anxiety. Flying is supposed to be very safe compared to driving. You'll be fine.

Have fun and enjoy your trip!!

By Cat on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 03:47 pm:

I love flying. The first time I flew was when I was 14yo. It was a little single engine four seater owned by one of my brother's college professors. He took my two brothers and me up, I sat in the front so I could see (my brothers are both very tall) and he let me fly the plane. It was way cool! I've flown several times since (including to Korea and Panama). Sometimes there's turbulance and rough landings, but nothing terrible. What about flying makes you nervous??? Is it being in an enclosed space? Heights? Fear of an accident? If you think about it, there are millions of cars on the roads that have thousands of accidents every day. Okay, now think there are thousands of planes in the air every day with very few accidents--we just hear about them more because they are less frequent. I think I've read before you're more likely to get struck by lightening than be in a plane crash. You could always ask for antianxiety meds, but remember you'll have your child to watch out for and you really don't want to be drugged up for that. Maybe if you can identify what exactly makes you nervous you can deal with it specifically. Good luck.

By Nicosmom on Thursday, July 1, 2004 - 12:45 pm:

Thanks for the advice and stories. I think being in an enclosed space and up high makes me nervous. My doc did perscribe me some Adivan for the flight. Okay, now my dh says is is going to come and stay for a few days but I will have to fly back alone. My brother is coming too, he also does not like to fly but that doesn't stop him from going to Hawaii! We may not be on the same flight as him though b/c we are stand-by. Thanks again. More (happy) stories welcome.

By Kristie on Thursday, July 1, 2004 - 01:08 pm:

I hadn't flown in 10 yrs when I flew to California last month. I was flying by myself also wich I had never done. I did really good though. I was on a tiny plane at first then switched to a 747. I really enjoyed looking out the window trying to figure out what the different things were down there. I was also lucky cuz I told the attendent that I was really nervous and they paid extra attention to me. You will be ok, just enjoy the scenery(sp). It is beautiful up there!!

By Boxzgrl on Thursday, July 1, 2004 - 05:58 pm:

I've been scared since 9-11. The last time I flew was when I was 15 (21 now). But seeing all the safe flights DH has been on (granted most were military aircraft, coming home from Iraq wasn't) it makes me feel a bit as ease. Just think, you'll be flying after a holiday (4th) where the terror level will be down and i'm sure all the crew and pilot(s) have had a ton of training! Good Luck!