Airplane Fears

I wouldn't advise taking a flight with your daughter anytime soon, until you have completed some fun tasks over a period of time with her. Traveling late at night that would be near or past her bedtime would be great, so you can comfort and make her feel secure by the designated time for unlocked seatbelts, holding and talking to her during the flight.
I would suggest, at home, drawing, coloring, reading animated, fun airplane stories to your child as often as once a day, week, or month, as well as games about having a nice quiet fun ride on the plane. When you think that she is ready again, talk to her about the thrill of the ride, and would she like to try it again, and let her know that there will be a treat for doing well on the ride when she gets off.

Have you considered pharmaceutical help? Benadryl or Dramamine just to get her through the flight.
Other than that about all you can do is offer comforting words and encouragement. Another thought depending on if it would interest your child would be to let her use a portable cd player with children's stories or children's music to give her something to do during the flight or moments when she may be anxious. Both of my children have portable cd players and we have a collection of story books with cds, which my children enjoy.
Just a thought. Good luck!

Hi~
Im not really into 'drugging' my kids, but you've gotta get home! So I vote for a phone call to the pediatrician to get some advice on what you can give her. Benadryl is usually safe, but your doc needs to make that call. He/She may have a better idea and meds can be called in all over the country now with all the big chain pharmacies linked to each other. Chances are reasoning isn't going to work, and you can't drag her on kicking and screaming...and even if you do get her on the plane, it would be heartbreaking to watch her panic the entire trip home. I hope you find a solution...and I applaud you for respecting your little girl's fears. Even irrational, they are still real to her.

Hi L.,
I don't have any good solutions for you but I wanted to tell you that giving Benedryl can have an opposite effect. I gave it to my son and he was really hyper the whole ride. Good luck.
Chris

i guess i would either call your ped and ask for something to help her relax or givr her a dose of benadryl that will also help her relax other then then there is not much you can do when a two yr old get somthing in there head there no changing it good luck and have a safe trip home

My kids girls, ages 7 and 4 have both been flying since they were a month old. I have always kept them busy on the plane with play doh, a DVD player, with a new DVD (one they have never seen), a back pack full of things to amuse with. I start with saying "I'm getting you some surprises to play with on the plane". They get psyched about the surprises. Whatever she really likes to play with, get a new kind of it. My girls are crafty. I always get them a container with glue sticks, kid friendly scissors (which are okay for boarding on the plane), construction paper, some of those felt stickies you peel and stick on, even music. I bought them a Dora CD player (which is kid friendly) and a kid CD. My four year old loves listening to the farmer in th dell, etc. Also, take lots of snacks, fruit snack packs, let her pick the ones she wants, a juice box or two, or chocolate milk (something out of the norm), that makes it special for the plane. Days before you board talk to her about getting on the plane and how you would never put her in danger and Mommy will always be with you and how exciting it will be to play with all her surprises. For taking off, my younger one always wanted to sit with me and it would be okay. I would strap the both of us and we would talk about what we were going to do when we get to our destination. My younger one is sensitive to the ear pressure. I let her chew gum during take off and landing, or suck on a lollipop. That is a distraction in itself. I wish you well. I know you both can do it. It's all about distraction.

Don't over explain things or try to over comfort her because sometimes at age two that can just keep the fear real. Talk to her about all the things at home that she probalby misses and how glad you all will be to get home, without even mentioning the airplane ride. Don't bring the subject up yourself at all and if she brings it up just very casually say that oh it's no big deal, everything will be fine and you know mommy will always keep you safe. Short and simple. The less everyone talks about it, the less she will think about it. (hopefully :) Don't act anxious the day of either or she might pick up on it.