Husband taking kids abroad

Phobias are horrible but your children and husband can’t miss out because of something that affects only you. You will have to suck up missing them. Keep busy, take on extra work that week or hobbies.
what treatment are you getting for your phobia. This can be cured or at least improved for the future.

They should absolutely go, I wouldn't even think them not going would be an option.
If I've got a family occasion in my home country and the opportunity to go (time off/funds etc) and my partner declines/can't attend, there would be no discussion about him ALLOWING me to take our child.

It works both ways, my partners family is organising a group holiday to Greece this summer. I'm still waiting for annual leave approval at work, but if it gets declined, they are still going to go without me.

I don't know if it's the wording of it but unless there are safeguarding concerns, other commitments or school fines to consider it's not really fair to deny one parent the right to take their kids somewhere.

I'd try to seek medical advice so you can go with them, but if GP doesn't manage to help with the fear of flying then you will have to get used to the fact that once in a while you need to let go and let dad parent.

Yes I’d let them go with their dad on holiday if I decided I couldn’t go. It would be extremely selfish to not allow it because you have a fear of flying. Your children (and DH) shouldn’t have to miss out on events like this. You should really try get some help if it’s that bad

PatriciaHolm · Today 12:58

Thats "Ath", in Belgium. Well, the first link was before you edited it ;-)

Ooh, you were quick! Oddly, it was the second in the list, first one was flights, even though I specified trains... I posted and thought wtf? And got another.

The issue is yours and nobody else’s. There’s zero reason for them not to go, unless you don’t believe your husband to be a capable parent.

Is there any reason you wouldn't consider going overland? It's Greece, not Australia!

(For those interested, there is a problem in that trains through the Balkans and in Greece are severely messed up at the moment. Either track upgrades, or "Balkan incompetence" according to the man in Seat 61. Best way is probably to catch a ferry from Italy).

It could be such an adventure for you all!

I've heard the British Airways courses for this are really excellent and not very expensive considering how much it could improve your life. Why don't you try one of those? A flight is included in each course so you can see the success of your training. It's worth looking at fixing the root of the problem as this will not be the only time your fear could prevent you from doing something fun with your family.

'Around the world'?! It's Greece, not Australia!

Please do seek help for your phobia. DH's best friend's wife won't fly. She missed our wedding. They have to go everywhere by car or train. The friend is desperate to take a longer trip, but she refuses to get help. So limiting for them and their daughter (who's now at university; I really hope she will travel now but I doubt it). So easy to transmit these fears to your children.

Sorry but I think YABU too, the kids shouldn't miss out on a family occasion and they'll be fine with your DH and loads of family around to help. I know you'll miss them but it's your issue that means you don't want them to go. At least let the 5 yo go (the 1 yo won't remember anyway)
Seriously though can you work on your fear? Or take some Valium?
Even if not for this occasion then for all the family holidays you'll miss out on because you don't want to fly.

Or

www.seat61.com/Greece.htm

YABU. Of course they should go. I appreciate that you have a fear but this should not affect them.

You should also try to overcome your fear. Id try REBT with hypnotherapy in it. Very effective

In that case 5 year old yes, 1 year old no. DH and 5 year old will probably have a better time leaving the baby at home.

YABU, your kids shouldn’t have to miss out because of your fears

Do a fear of flying course, both easyJet and BA run them. you can do this! Huge incentive to get over it. You'll have a great time

You could probably get there by train.

It might take a couple of days and a couple of changes.

I have been to Athens inter railing.

Other people already gave this information

My 5 year old won´t be going anywhere without me, so I would go by train if I had to, or even drive. Long haul coaches also exist. My friends drive from Spain to Greece and my Polish neighbours drive to Poland.

Thats "Ath", in Belgium. Well, the first link was before you edited it ;-)

Greece by train (I've driven there from here...) would take 2-3 days minimum depending where exactly. Small islands longer.

I was also breast feeding my youngest at this age and my oldest who was formula feed would have been really upset being away from me for that long. If it was my family I keep the 1 year old at home and DH would take the 5 year old.

That's in Belgium...

Of course they should go, the younger one too. It will be good for him/her to spend time with their dad.

If it was the other way around would you leave the younger one behind?

The baby going is not for his sake. It’s for your MIL. I would not have him go without you. The 5 year old will likely have a great fine with his DF and extended family. you should let him go.

But best of all try to address your fear of flying. A good friend of mine undertook a fear of flying course (ended with a short internal flight). Really successful.

Absolutely they should go, but it might be easier for DH to just take the 5 year old. I think you should look at every option for overcoming your fear though, I absolutely hate flying but force myself through it because I know I'd be massively missing out if I didn't!

Should be. Raise the bar. I have sent my DH off with both kids to visit his family in another country. Though with OP's update, she should send only one.

You can go by rail and it's not too expensive:

https://www.seat61.com/Greece.htm

How is your youngest with your DH now? How long could you leave him with your DH before he started getting upset and wanting you?

Because you need to spend between now and September either making sure he’s comfortable with his dad, or making sure you can get on that plane, with medication if hypnotherapy isn’t enough.