BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – As many families enjoy spring break this week, and with summer not far off, many families are planning for their next vacation.
However, getting on an airplane may cause some anxious feelings for kids.
Between changes in routine and recent headlines about plane crashes, children may experience some fears when it comes to flying.
Dr. Margaret Canter with UAB’s Department of Pediatrics says travel related anxiety can vary in kids. Some are not affected, while others get nervous.
The expert says parents should start having conversations about getting on an airplane if their family is preparing to travel.
She says to acknowledge this is new and see if their child has any questions.
The expert added that it is important to give kids answers while keeping it limited to avoid overwhelming them.
If they start to lose sleep or their day-to-day behavior changes, she says it might be wise to go see a counselor.
“I think sometimes when people think about going to therapy, they think it’s this huge commitment and has to be this big, long thing,” Dr. Canter shared. “Often we’ll do just like a consultation session with somebody where we can discuss strategies to kind of tackling like one specific issue and then parents will take those skills and go apply them to their kids and then reach aback out if they need more help, or more support, or troubleshooting in that sense.”
If parents do not know where to take their child, Dr. Canter says to start with their pediatrician.
They can connect the family with local resources that will be the best match for their kid.
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