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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu or a bit pfb?

130 replies

JoannaGlumley · 06/09/2011 16:17

My DP flies a microlight and is really pushing to take my DS who is 2.6 up with him. I am not so keen but he's accusing me of being over cautious and pfb so I am after some opinions.
The microlight is just like a very small plane so is enclosed and he wouldn't need a helmet, he would be strapped in. DS has sat in it lots of times and taxied round with the engine off and hasn't seemed bothered. My main problem is that normally he hates loud noises, I can't use the Hoover, hairdryer, blender when he is in the room. It would only be a short flight but I'd worry that if he started kicking off he would distract DP. There also wouldn't be anyone to comfort him.

I also worry that he doesn't really get that the plane he sits in is the same as the planes in the sky so while he can recite the words 'the plane goes up in the clouds' he doesn't understand and it would be a huge huge shock.

So what do you think as I really am being made to feel like a killjoy? And what age would you let your kids go?

I've name changed so I can show this to DP and he can't see my history!!

OP posts:
whostolemyname · 06/09/2011 20:38

Hell no. YANBU.

sparklythings · 06/09/2011 20:41

Ooh no, I wouldn't let a two year old up in one either! Way too little! Smile

Iggly · 06/09/2011 20:42

YANBU

Is your DP mad?

Redumbdancy · 06/09/2011 20:46

Bloody hell no!

Even DH, who took our 2 week old PFB out in a RIB, shook his head in disbelief at the thought of it!

StickThemWithThePointyEnd · 06/09/2011 20:47

Not a chance.

CurrySpice · 06/09/2011 20:51

I'm also guessing that the two of them will be in close proximity in there. How will you DH manage if your DS starts to panic / cry / go bananas / freak out and starts grabbing him?

It's madness!

Arealmanithink · 06/09/2011 20:51

Got it.. Lets just baby the kid forever.. never allow him to experience what he wants to try, cause mum thinks it might not be a good idea to try things that may ..possibly ...upset him..Good road to start down

LeBOF · 06/09/2011 20:52

Hahahahahahaaaaaaa

ChablisLover · 06/09/2011 20:53

No way Jose. He is only little. Plenty of time to take him in micro light once at school age

Kalypso · 06/09/2011 20:56

Your DP's mate told him that he took up his 6 month old baby? I totally understand that your DP is keen to involve his son in something he loves, but it does sound like this is more about mates proving to each other that their kids are the proverbial chip off the old block.

As an earlier poster has said, what's in it for your DS? He's likely too little to appreciate and enjoy it, and it could even backfire (i.e. he refuses to go in it again, which means your DP might not get to take him up again for a long, long while).

I first went in a light aircraft when I was about 6, and I remember it very well. It was incredible - just amazing - but even at that age I found it all quite overwhelming.

Why can't your DP wait a bit? What's the hurry?

StickThemWithThePointyEnd · 06/09/2011 20:56

Hmm arealman

YellowWallpaper · 06/09/2011 20:56

Not a chance, no way would I even entertain doing this for a second.

Arealmanithink needs to get real. Do you think this is about a 2 year old's desire or the father's especially considering the child's reaction to noise.

OP you are not being neurotic, just look at the responses on this thread. Please don't go against your instincts.

PositiveAttitude · 06/09/2011 20:59

Another big fat NOOOOOOoooooo from me, to add weight to your argument.

Sookeh · 06/09/2011 20:59

His mate took a six month up!? Confused

YADNBU OP! Tell him to stop being stupid, in no way is it worth the risk.

Arealmanithink · 06/09/2011 21:02

In my experience.. Kids are apprehensive about whatever their parents are apprehensive about. If Mum's scared, that rubs off.. I've flown most of my life.. It's less dangerous than crossing the street..

onmythirdglass · 06/09/2011 21:02

stark raving bonkers. Your DP not you OP.

LeBOF · 06/09/2011 21:05

Hmm- maybe the kid has just picked up on the mum's abiding fear of vacuum cleaners then? Riiiiiiiiiight

JjandtheBeanlovesUnicorns · 06/09/2011 21:05

Whattheactual fuck! No way. No way!

Haberdashery · 06/09/2011 21:06

I actually think taking a six month old up would be a lot safer. For a start, they're usually not terribly mobile and not very strong so any grabbing would be more easily deflected. Plus they'd have no idea what was going on and the engine noise would prob just make them fall asleep. Not that I actually would allow a six month old to do this because there would be no point at all.

Arealman (hahaha!), the child is scared of loud noises. I doubt very much that his mother is frightened of hairdryers or vacuum cleaners.

Original poster
JoannaGlumley · 06/09/2011 21:06

Arealmanithink, I'm not scared of flying at all and I'll be happy for the two of them to go together, but when DS can enjoy it.

OP posts:
skybluepearl · 06/09/2011 21:07

No way.

He can go up when he is old enough to make buy alcohol or get married. It's something he has to decide for himself as a young adult. While he is a child you have to make responsible choices for him and not put him at risk.

takethisonehereforastart · 06/09/2011 21:11

OP your son is the same age as mine, give or take a week or two.

And I would not let him go up in a microlight at this age. If he throws a tantrum (rare but not unheard of) it is pretty spectacular, kicking, grabbing, screaming, thrashing around. I wouldn't want to risk that happening in mid air on a tiny aircraft.

I wouldn't want him to be frightened in mid air and strapped into the back of something like that with no way for anyone to comfort and reassure him either.

I'm sure your DH thinks it is better to introduce him to this sport early, so that he grows up to love it as much as much as his dad does and they can share something pretty special together.

But I think 2.6 is far too young for something like this.

ChippingIn · 06/09/2011 21:18

No it's utter madness.

  • Your wee one hates loud noises
  • I doubt those straps would keep a 2yo in place
  • He might really freak out and be incredibly scared - with no one to comfort him
  • Dad will be distracted if he kicks off
  • DS is too young to actually enjoy it - even if he isn't shit scared.
AryaStark · 06/09/2011 21:22

Fuck, no. I'd be questioning why he was so insistent. YANBU.

GetAwayFromHerYouBitch · 06/09/2011 22:28

arealman- you are so right - the child needs to man up and stop being such a baby

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