I am flying out to Cyprus with my 3 young children and I am terrified of flying. Any suggestions ?

Question

I am terrified of turbulence in particular, I don`t want to be in a situation where I feel out of control when I am with my children

Answer 1

It may help to call the airline and ask for some tips and reassurance from them, each plane type has its own way of responding to turbulence, and you might find they tell you that the particular one you are flying on hardly rolls at all. Also, when you get on eth plane, have a quiet word with a stewardess and tell her you are nervous, she'll watch out for you then and will make sure she comes and explains any unusual (to you) motion rather than leaving you worry about it. You could also maybe do a mini project with the kids before you go about how planes work, you may find that explaining it all to them helps you feel better about it. Above all, breathe very slowly if you feel nervous, it will help! Have a lovely holiday :)

Answer 2

1. You can inform the steward/ess of your irrational fear of flying.

2. If you at least know that fear is an illusion, you can reassure yourself as it emerges that at least you know for a fact it is unreal. You have the evidence of everyone around you looking calm.

3. Remember that if you express your fear before your children, they are likely to learn the same each time they fly in their lives. Otherwise like most kids they will look forward to it. So if they seem enthusiastic - imagine yourself as one of them and try to understand their excitement.

4. If you have a friendly person sitting around you, feel free to ask them for their support.

5. Remember also that thousands of people fly for the first time and also experience your emotions. Most of them will land safely. Trust me on that.

6. You should also talk to your doctor to give you a relaxant to help calm your nerves. Chances are you will not need it, but knowing that you have it, will help you relax and focus on your kids.

7. Most of all remember don't keep telling yourself you will be fine only when you reach Cyprus. There always exists a strong chance that you will actually be able to enjoy your flight. Make provision for that in your mind. Have a great flight.

Answer 3

I suggest taking some sort of sedative before you get on the plane.

Better still, if the holiday is very soon, how about not taking small children to an incredibly hot country at the height of summer? Cancel it and take the kids camping in the Highlands or something instead.

Answer 4

If you're taking 3 young children, you'll be far too busy to be terrified of flying. Hey, you're in Super Mummy mode - fear of flying's for wimps and the childless.

If you can't convince yourself of this, try relaxation exercises. You can buy the CD at the chemists. Mind you, you'll have to farm out the kids to get time to do it.

Answer 5

rationalise it,lots of people are scared-cos it seems so unnatural!
get your kids a book on the science of flying read it with them,when you understand how it works it will seem safer,promise you,
statistics help-you are very much safer in a plane than you are in a car..
turbulence is not very bad if you imagine its like a bus going over cobbles...
i've had more scary car rides than plane rides,
the guy flying will be really well qualified more than a taxi driver is more intelligent,usually, and wants to live,
if you have ever been on a fairground ride flying is a lot safer and less bumpy than that...
you must not show you are scared for them and because you love your kids you will control your fear if you think that your fear will harm them (you just will)
enjoy it ,it will be an adventure for them and you !!!!!!!!

Answer 6

There is nothing to worry about aircraft are built to withstand turbulence's and if the radar spots any severe turbulence the pilot will go round it, your problem is how are you going to keep young children occupied for the flight

Answer 7

Like you the thought of flying alway frightened me. I said I would never do it. Then I married a man whose mother needed us to fly to where she was and drive her to her home halfway across the country. I was so scared but when we got to the air port and went to check in they made me so mad that for some reason I forgot about the fear. I loved the flight. Think about it, in life we are not always in control. Trust God to take care of us. When driving there is more of a chance of something happening than in flight.

Answer 8

Cant help you really but I always try and fly with a confident flyer, as they will automatically build my confidence up. If it gets that bad tell the air stewards/ stewardesses that you are not a good flyer and they will do everything they can to make sure you have a comfortable flight.

Answer 9

This might sound crazy but I'm a bad flier. I accept the fact that I might die on the plane, get on the plane and go with the flow. If I die, then I die. I keep reminding myself that Princess Di died in a car crash, and she flew thousands of times. Having children with you helps - you have to concentrate on them. One day on a flight to Spain I was convinced we were going to crash (saw a reflection of another plane in the window - our own lights!) and held my little girls hand and smiled at her reassuringly.
Hey, we survived! Still don't like flying, but it's better than walking!

Answer 10

i know exactly what u mean,its the same 4me when we fly to italy(me n my son) there s a Bach Flower remedy u can get in healthfood stores,called MIMULUS its used to control known fears,or u can try this mix called'relaxing essence' it works very well.put about 5drops in a bottle of water(the more is diluted the better it works)then drink it throughout the day starting even the day b4.
enjoy ur holiday n let me know if it worked 4u.
ciao