Traveling with family is usually a time of great joy. However, those who already have children know that the act of traveling by plane requires some attention and planning, so that it does not become stressful for the child or parents.
Unlike a car trip, where you can stop whenever the need arises, air travel requires patience on the part of the child (who, depending on age, may have difficulty understanding this).
It all depends on the age and temperament of the child and especially on the stress level of the parents themselves with the trip. Airplane has a limited space and the family will be surrounded by strange people. The smaller the child, the less will be the control over their needs, as one cannot demand a level of understanding of the small with respect to limitations. From the age of three is it possible to establish some rules that can make the trip more playful and less disturbing ?, comments Celia Lima, expert psychologist at Personare.
Say, do you need to be quiet for the entire trip? It is certainly not the solution, not even for older children. But there are subtle ways to prepare your child for this "adventure" as well as distract him during the flight. A few simple tips can help (and much) make airplane travel smoother for parents and kids!
1. Show peace of mind
If the child hears parents talking all the time that they are worried about the trip or simply notices a "worrying air" mood, the situation can get more complicated. "Children tend to absorb their parents' moods on different occasions, so it is desirable for parents to be calm and to provide small comforts for their children," comments Celia.
2. Talk about the trip on time
No use hiding? the son's plane trip afraid of how he might react. "It is better to talk about the trip in advance, but not so much as to trigger anxiety in children," says the expert.
3. Funfully prepare your child for a plane trip
When you feel it is time to talk about the trip, do it in a quiet way and take the opportunity to include in the day to day child games that involve the subject. "You can play with airplanes, take on the role of flight attendants, the pilot, simulating what can and can't be done on the plane," Celia exemplifies.
4. Talk to the pediatrician
According to Celia, consulting the children's pediatrician is also critical. Especially if your child often gets sick on car trips. If it is necessary to resort to some trick or medicine, parents should be prepared for it ?, explains.
5. Offer liquids
Celia explains that one of the reasons children cry during flight is the discomfort with pressurization of the aircraft, which can cause pain or clogging. from the ear. It is therefore good to drink fluids, which help regulate the body / cabin pressure difference. Chewing for the older ones, or using a pacifier for the younger ones, can also help ?, he says.
6. For short routes, prefer to travel during the day
"Arousing the child's curiosity about how the plane can fly and distracting it with the clouds (staying in the window is a good resource) will keep her busy for some time," says Celia.
7. Be prepared for long journeys
"For long journeys, when usually travel at night, take the familiar blanket to the child", advises the expert.
8. Take the pillow
Regardless of travel time, bring a pillow. Younger children will be able to sit on it so they can see outside the window better; while older ones can sleep more comfortable with a pillow they are already used to.
9. Think of space
Another tip, according to Celia, is, when booking, to prefer special places like the free seats in front. "You'll have more room to deal with the little ones," he says.
10. Don't offer millions of alternatives
“Avoid offering thousands of alternatives to distract your child, expect him to demand something,” Celia advises. Otherwise, it is very likely that he will notice that you are trying to distract him anyway, which may cause further discomfort. Be subtle.
11. Take interesting toys / games
There is no escape, toys will be the best allies when distracting the child. “Children tend to get bored easily, so it's nice to have a bag with some toys,” says Celia.
But it is worth remembering:? Quality? is more important than? quantity? this time. The key is to bring interesting toys / games, which will entertain the child and not thousands of things that will not even be used in the end. • It is valid to take what can be done sitting, which has no loose parts (do not forget the possible turbulence) and that does not make noise. Just be careful that the trip does not turn into a playground. Remember that a good conversation explaining what it is like to travel by plane can help a lot ?, advises the expert.
12. Bring Some Longer, Healthier Foods
Offer the child some food that takes up longer, such as grapes, raisins, strawberries, tomatoes? Are they healthy and fun options? for her to eat.
However, Celia points out that sweets should not serve as a "bargaining chip" even though they are short-lived and the distraction is over. Let your child know that you have chocolate in your bag, buy from him at the airport. If he remembers and asks, is it okay to give ?, he says.
13. Bet on stickers
Carrying small stickers can be very valid. They are small, practical and can keep children entertained for a while: give your child a small bottle of water, for example, and invite him to? Decorate it? as you think is cooler.
14. Count on the help of technology (smartphone, tablet)
This kind of distraction is just another alternative, according to Celia. If the child already owns the smartphone or tablet, one can resort to them. But buying something in the genre specifically for this occasion is overkill, especially since most aircraft are equipped with movies and games. For short trips is totally expendable ?, explains.
15. Surprise the child with toys she no longer remembers
Find at home some toy that was there? Forgotten? and light on the trip, it will surely distract the child for a while, as if it were something new / a gift given to her at that time.
This can be done, but not with the character of "reward". Each time she gets agitated or impatient, you'll really have to find a way to calm her down and those gifts? can be a resource. But letting it be known that a child can earn something if he or she behaves well will only make him / her believe that good behavior is not necessary, just a way of being presented. Will she feel allowed to misbehave if she doesn't get a gift? Celia warns.
16. Don't forget to bring essentials for the child.
Celia comments that parents are already used to the needs of their babies. For these, it is good to remember to consult the airline, as many offer facilities, including with regard to food. For the older child, there should be no shortage of water, one or two changes of clothes, warm clothing, handkerchiefs, blanket (her bedtime reference) and some little books she likes?
17. Encourage the child to bring his own bag
Depending on the age of the child, it may be interesting to have her carry her own handbag, with some useful items inside: tissues, warm clothing, for example. This saves space in your bag and makes the child feel "big", "responsible", which can entertain her for a few more minutes.
However, it is worth noting: the child should not be required to be responsible for important things.
18. Bring you some extra clothes
It is valid for parents to bring a change of clothes. After all, incidents can happen: your child may spill some juice on your clothes or even throw up. Not expected, but unfortunately it can happen. It's better to be safe.
19. Read to the child
Parents can also read some book that entertains the child, it is not worth exaggerating or carrying huge books.
20. Bet on the? Airplane police?
A good idea is to tell the child about the presence of an airplane policeman who keeps an eye on all children and how they are behaving. From this, one can invent various stories. Of course this does not mean? Frighten? but stimulate your imagination by keeping it entertained for a while.
21. Encourage children to walk shortly before flight
While waiting for the plane, a good tip is to encourage your child to walk with you around the airport. After all, on the flight you will be seated for hours, which may bother the child. But that doesn't mean "tire her out", common sense is key.
22. Dress the child in comfortable clothing
It's always important to choose comfortable, easy-to-wear clothing, remembering that the temperature inside the plane is around 20 ° C. For the feet, sneakers. You have to walk a lot inside the airport, so it is crucial that the shoes are equally comfortable. One can think of proper socks for the floor, rubberized on the sole.It is important to walk a little in the aisle of the plane to activate the circulation and this is also for adults?
23. Plan the trip
Celia points out that, in this sense, it is good to avoid heavy meals and exhausting activities for the child before the trip. All movement will require extra energy and attention. The child should not be required to take responsibility for important things, such as pushing a forgotten suitcase and creating unnecessary setbacks. Not leaving at the last minute is critical. Better to arrive at the airport in advance than to rush the kids, who have their own pace to walk ?, he says.
24. Have patience
Celia explains that children should not be induced to sleep by medication at all. "Is she used to a glass of warm milk or a bottle before bed?" Or a tea? It is what should be used. Above all you have to be patient, as this is an event totally out of the routine of the little ones ?, he says.
With planning, safety and patience, flying with your child has everything to work. At least that's how it is with Daniela Aparecida M. Cillo, 32, a biologist, who has traveled more than 3 times by plane with her 4-year-old daughter, Maria Eduarda. “The first time I was a little worried, but today she doesn't give me any work. I don't have a "trick", but I find that she has a lot of fun with crayons (I take several colors!) And some paper to paint. When she gets tired of it, does she like to play a little game on my phone or just watch the pictures on it?
Fernanda Machado Junqueira, 36, self-employed, traveled with her 6-year-old daughter Julia, and says she had no major concerns. "The only thing I said a lot to her was that she had to be quiet in the armchair, not talking loudly or crying?" I did not say at any time that "airplane was dangerous", that "I or her father were afraid", for example, because I think that, yes, could have ruined everything, he says.
The key is to plan, but not to despair, or to carry millions of things thinking about entertaining the child all the time. Often less is more. When it comes to toys, bet more on the playful, rather than taking dozens of toys that will only take up space and make the child even more agitated wanting to play every hour with one thing.
Airport Chaos | How We Travel With 3 Kids (April 2024)
- Children and adolescents
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