How to help ease a child's fear of flying

Some children have an extreme anxiety or fear of flying. Being afraid to fly is nothing to be ashamed of, but sometimes flying is the only way to reach your desired destination. A child which refuses to fly can put a large damper on your vacation plans.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• hypnosis audiotapes
• mp3 player
• a favorite book
• laptop
• dvd player

1. First, understand that the child's fears are very rational. After September 11 no one feels comfortable flying anymore. Not entirely anyhow.

2. Talk to the child. A simple chat can be useful to determine the extent of the child's fears. Reassure the child that his/her fears are normal and quite common, but mostly unnecessary. Flying is still statistically the safest method of travel.

3. Explain the basics of how flying works, and the means by which a plane flies. Keep it simple and within the understanding level of the child you are explaining too.
   
   Once the child understands how flying works they are less likely to have a fear of flying.

4. A Laptop computer

5. A laptop computer can be used to listen to music, watch Dvd movies or even play video games to take the attention off of the fact that they are cruising thousands of feet in altitude. The child may even be assisting an adult writing articles for their parent's favorite how-to article publisher eHow.

6. Pick favorite movies and bring along a Dvd player for the trip. The movie can do a good job of allowing the child to forget that he/she is even on a plane at all.

7. Hypnosis audiotapes can be effective if the child is old enough to understand the instructions on the tape. As a plus, these tapes usually include simple yet effective anti-stress exercises.

Tips & Warnings

• Listen attentively!
• Be honest, children can detect when an adult is not being sincere.
• Avoid simply forcing the child onto the flight without resolving the fear of flying at least moderately. This can cause traumatic after effects.

[JoyNmyHeart]

on 11/23/2008 I love to fly but I know that it could be disturbing for a child. Thanks for the tips esp explaining how flying works.

[craneop]

on 11/3/2008 Very good tips, Thanks

[RiteNow]

on 11/3/2008 Thanks for the helpful information. 5*

[MotherDove]

on 11/2/2008 I still have complicated dreams about my first flight - and I was 8 years old at the time. Your idea of de-mystifying planes is a great one. Thanks.

[pianistic]

on 11/2/2008 Great!