Last week, thousands of schools across the UK marked the last day of the year on the academic calendar, unleashing the country’s children for the long summer holidays.
With the kids out of school, thousands of families will be jetting off to warm, sunny destinations across Europe and the rest of the world for a well-deserved break.
It’s no secret that Brits love holidays. In fact, a new study from Amazon’s Chatterbox series reveals that 78 per cent of us think the idea of going on holiday brings more pleasure than anything else.
But for most families, the great anticipation of the holidays often brings with it the side effect of stress when it comes to bringing small children on a flight.
Amazon recently surveyed 75,000 people in the UK and found that more than one in 10 people had at some point experienced a hellish flight where their children cried for the entire journey.
Amazon surveyed 75,000 people in the UK and found that more than one in 10 people had at some point experienced a hellish flight where their children cried for the entire journey (file photo)
For kids who aren’t used to the terrifying cocktail of ear poppers, loud noises and tight spaces, child behavior specialist Elizabeth O’Shea offers her best trick for preventing the worst from happening.
Although old wives’ tales used to recommend rubbing brandy on a baby’s gums to calm nerves and provide a peaceful night’s sleep, current guidelines warn parents against this – according to Elizabeth, the scent of lavender oil could be an alternative that offers similar benefits.
Plus, the idea of giving them something to mouth may not be too far-fetched, as she also suggested giving babies something to suck on as a distraction.
Elizabeth said: ‘For babies, it’s as simple as having a bottle or something to suck on, especially when the altitude gets to the point where people’s ears get blocked.
‘A child needs to swallow or else it can be very painful. Babies can also get very irritable on flights. So sometimes a small amount of lavender oil, even on the neck, can help when you’re holding them.’
According to Elizabeth, the key to a smooth flight is planning ahead, and nearly a third of parents admit that not doing so was the reason for their previous failed vacations.
“Simple measures such as carrying candy or a bottle to ease discomfort during the ascent, a bag with small toys and activities and a blanket to keep you warm are very helpful,” Elizabeth recommended.
‘It’s a good idea to talk to children about the process of flying ahead of time so they know what to expect. For babies and toddlers, it’s a great idea to put together a toy airplane at home with signs and seatbelts so they can imagine what will happen that day.
‘It’s also critical to remember that children rely on their parents to help them regulate, so really tune into your child and focus on their needs and emotions to make the process as smooth as possible.’
Along with the advice to use lavender oil, Elizabeth has revealed her top tips for having the most relaxing onboard experience.
New research from Amazon’s Chatterbox series reveals that 78 percent of us think the idea of going on vacation brings more pleasure than anything else (file image)
1. Prepare
She said: ‘The hardest ones to get along with are usually the little ones. A few years ago I gave a parent some advice and they emailed me from their holiday to say they were absolutely amazed that this had worked for their very active four-year-old.’
Elizabeth stressed that a visual experience is key for children even before they get on the plane.
‘I had told them that before flying they should put together a toy airplane, make signs, get some seat belts and teach their children to sit with their seat belts on.
‘Children need to imagine what is going to happen, so show them what a plane looks like, what is done at an airport and explain the stages.
‘Then, keep talking to the child and ask questions like ‘Can you remember what to do when the seat belt light comes on?’ and ‘Can you remember what the different things are that we’re going to do when we get to the airport?’ – and they’ll be able to picture what’s happening and be more familiar with the process.’
2. Don’t forget the snacks
In addition to dinner or the family bag of chips, Elizabeth urges parents to make sure they have snacks ready in case of delays.
‘Obviously, children need to be fed regularly, and it’s a good idea to bring double the amount of snacks and buy some drinks, so that if delays occur, you’re prepared.
It is also very helpful for parents to have candy or a drink that their children can suck on to help with the altitude, as this helps equalize the air pressure behind the eardrums.
“Children are much less likely to become angry or irritated if they feel comfortable and pain-free,” she added.
3. Entertainment
In addition to providing comfort food, make sure there is something to distract little ones from potential boredom on board.
“It’s really helpful to have a bag of toys and activities ready – you just have to be really clever and keep everything as small as possible,” she says.
‘On shorter flights, parents can prepare something new every ten minutes or so to keep the child entertained. This can be things like miniature figurines, pencils and a coloring book, a comic book, or a magnetic toy; it can be as simple as buying small items at a dollar store.’
Don’t feel like you can’t turn to technology for entertainment.
‘Smartphones and tablets can also be very useful, as many children love the in-flight entertainment on a long-haul flight, so it can be very useful to keep them entertained, allowing parents to watch a film while the child enjoys their own cartoons.’
‘For older children, give them a new magazine or book, and it might be a good idea to get some travel games, such as a deck of cards, for them to play with to pass the time.’
4. Flight attendants are your friends
Don’t forget that flight attendants are there to make your experience as smooth and easy as possible, and they can help you if necessary.
‘Flight attendants are usually very friendly and will try to help you if you have a crying child, and maybe give you a break.
‘If a child is very irritable, you can also take them to the back of the plane for some exercise, such as running in place, to get rid of some pent-up energy without taking up much space.’
Elizabeth said anxiety about flying can be alleviated by telling children how exciting it will be for them to go on holiday (file photo)
6. Forget what others may be thinking
Elizabeth knows how difficult it can be for parents to anticipate the judgment of others.
She said: ‘As a parent, I think you just have to develop a thick skin and understand that you’re there for your child.
‘Traveling is stressful at the best of times, and it’s easy to get even more stressed when you’re with a small child and worried about what other people think.
“I think the most important thing is to be in tune with your child. Interestingly, children rely on their parents to help them regulate themselves, so it’s important to do that.
‘It can be very difficult, but parents should focus solely on their children’s needs and try to ignore everything that is going on around them.’
7. Comfort is key
Elizabeth said: ‘It’s really important for children to travel in comfortable clothing, especially if it’s a long or overnight flight. Changing them mid-flight can be a bit tricky, so as long as they’re wearing comfortable clothing, it’s fine.
‘To help with sleep, it can be very helpful to buy a neck pillow for children and have them try it out at home or in the car, so they get used to the idea of sleeping with it.
‘I think the most important thing is that they are comfortable and have everything they need to be able to sleep.
‘Also, if you’re on a long-haul flight, having a blanket that your child is used to can be really nice to snuggle up to.’
8. Get kids excited about the holidays
Let’s not forget that the holidays are not only a break for parents, but also for the little ones who have spent the year learning in the classroom.
Elizabeth said that anxiety about flying can be alleviated by telling children how exciting it will be for them to go on vacation.
She said: ‘A lot of children get very excited about the idea of flying, but it can also be quite daunting.
‘To help them look beyond the flight itself, it’s a good idea to talk to them about the holiday, so they know what to expect and what to look forward to.
‘Some children really struggle with breaking routine, so creating a little schedule so they know what they’re going to do can be a good idea.
‘This doesn’t have to be strict and can of course include mornings, afternoons or days off, but it can help give them an idea of what will happen while you’re gone.’