DD refusing to fly..we're going away on Sat!

[user1483390742]

My 12 year old hates flying and has said she will not get onto a plane on Sat for a 4 hour flight.
Previous flights have not always been good- she has been terrified a couple of times with turbulance ( it was quite scary) and has spent many flights vomiting with fear. She will not be reassured by me or DH, cabin crew or even the pilot.
It is genuine fear she feels- pale, clammy hands and uncontrollable crying.
She has now said there is no way she is getting on the flight in 3 days time. Our family are overseas and there is no-one for her to stay with for 2 weeks.
Up until this point we have always got her onto the flight, but this time it is a whole new level of refusal and fear. Almost phobic, i would say.
I honestly don't know what to do. Her siblings will go nuts if we cancel, and i will go nuts if i have to miss out!
WWYD? Any advice greatly appreciated!

BifsWif

If I was in my knees with insomnia, then yes.

The fact that someone has a child and is a single parent categorically does NOT stop GPS prescribing sleeping tablets. And rightfully so

Well done OP. I too think your DD will remember this compassion and understanding when she’s older. I certainly remember each and every instance my parents respected my unavoidable feelings when I was a child, whether it cost them dear or not. I know do the same to my children. Who knows, perhaps you’re helping your DD see how a compassionate Mum behaves!

I don’t understand why you are questioning what I said, when a GP posted upthread that they did not prescribe diamorphine for flights in case of an emergency, other posters said that they had been told the same by their GP. Whether that’s true or not, I don’t know.

Have you taken diazepam? I was given it after a traumatic bereavement and it made me feel like a zombie. I personally wouldn’t take it on a flight for that reason, the same as I personally wouldn’t take sleeping tablets if I was alone with children.

All those people saying just go to the GP for diazepam, I would certainly refuse to prescribe it for a child of 12 for this reason. CBT is the usual treatment for phobias in this age group.

Is there any reason your husband can’t stay with her instead?

Yes taken on a long haul flight.