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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Children's first plane ride

34 replies

racheyc · 22/02/2017 16:48

My dad is taking my eldest on holiday to Portugal in July. Her first trip abroad will be to Disneyland which we are doing before that, but we are going by Eurostar. I feel like I would be missing a major thing in her life if I am not the one to be with her on her first plane journey. So wibu to book a holiday abroad with her, cheap and cheerful, just so that I can be on her first plane journey? I can't decide! We could just afford the other holiday but it wouldn't be ideal because of Disneyland if that makes sense. It wouldn't mean we couldn't eat but also wouldn't be ideal! Thanks

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TeenAndTween · 22/02/2017 17:04

I don't think first plane trip is that much of a first to be honest. Yes it is fun, but not worth shoe-horning in another holiday for.

Lalunya85 · 22/02/2017 17:06

How old is she? Just trying to gage how much she will actually register the plane etc.

From her point of view it might be even more special and exciting if she's flying with her granddad?

arethereanyleftatall · 22/02/2017 17:06

Yabu. Personally I don't think a plane journey is a milestone. It's just travel.,

EnglishGirlApproximately · 22/02/2017 17:07

I hate flying with ds but tolerate it because we live going on holiday, honestly you aren't missing much! If I could pay someone to fly with him and I meet them there I would Grin

cookielove · 22/02/2017 17:07

If I could i would avoid being on a plane with my child for the rest of my life Wink

On a more serious note do you have to have all the firsts?

TempusEedjit · 22/02/2017 17:08

Yabu if it means that finances will be squeezed for the rest of your family. I don't honestly see a first plane ride as being some kind of milestone you'd be missing out on.

Witchend · 22/02/2017 17:12

My parents weren't with me when I made my first plane trip. Must ask them if they felt they'd missed out I was 22 and going on honeymoon

teacher54321 · 22/02/2017 17:13

I'm 35 and have never been on a flight with my parents!

melj1213 · 22/02/2017 17:27

YABU - "first holiday" or "first trip abroad" are worthwhile "firsts" ... first plane flight is really not all that noteworthy. Have you memorised every other "transport" first? Car? Train? Bike? Taxi? Bus? If not, why is this any different?

If I asked my mother when my first flight was, she'd have no clue (we used to fly a lot as my dad works offshore so we'd often go and visit in the holidays which might influence that) but if I asked about our first holiday she'd be able to tell me all about it as the holiday is the memorable bit.

Original poster
racheyc · 22/02/2017 17:33

Ok great I thought I might be seen as bad mother or something missing this major milestone (if it was one!) The only other thing I have missed was DS' first haircut, which granddad took him too, he sent pictures though and I felt ok about it. I love that a couple of you have said you would avoid it is possible! She is 4 by the way, I just wanted to see her face and excitement but I think it's not as big a deal as I maybe thought x

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Westfacing · 22/02/2017 17:48

Two years' ago I took DGD(5) on her first plane trip - DS & DDIL didn't seem to think they were missing out on anything.

However, I would not have wanted to miss out on either of my two sons' first haircut.

Something about hair! I suppose we all have our sentimental spots. Smile

EnglishGirlApproximately · 22/02/2017 17:59

Seriously, we had a 4 hour delay followed by a 5 hour flight then 2 hour drive home from the airport last year - I would've given ds away to the nearest taker by the time we got home! I vowed then that I was only cruising from Southampton in future but lo and behold I've booked 2 more this year Shock

Original poster
racheyc · 22/02/2017 18:11

Westfacing, I only felt ok about it, not great ha!

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MiddleClassProblem · 22/02/2017 18:18

I don't see it as a milestone. Some kids do this first time with school or gap year etc when parents aren't around.

Having said that I'm not very sentimental about these things. You can only go by how you feel about it but I think going on a train to Disneyland is much more fun! I was 4 when I first went on a plane and don't remember it at all.

Original poster
racheyc · 22/02/2017 18:24

Yes you are right, at least we will have our first trip abroad together, and much more importantly, our first Disney trip!

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Mehfruittea · 22/02/2017 18:27

DS is 5 and went on first plane ride when nearly 4. We've been away on a plane twice. On one occasion he got to meet the pilot and peek in the cabin.

But we also took a helicopter ride for Father's Day. 10 mins in the air, £100 for 3 of us. Pictures of the pilot, wearing the headset, aerial view of our house etc. Guess which one he remembers and talks about most enthusiastically?!

And the pictures are amazing! Wink

Take a look at Groupon for ideas.

ohgoshIdontknow · 22/02/2017 18:31

Seriously??!!

Original poster
racheyc · 22/02/2017 18:40

Er, yes I was being serious in case anyone but ohgosh wondered...!

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Original poster
racheyc · 22/02/2017 18:41

Love the sound of the helicopter ride, you have given me inspiration for future Father's Days!

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Marylou2 · 22/02/2017 18:47

I wouldn't worry about it. Just another crowded method of transport.

FrancisCrawford · 22/02/2017 18:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
racheyc · 22/02/2017 18:50

Oh god, so I have missed the big one, the haircut! Well too late now. Oh I meant we would go on a cheap summer holiday in June as a family, with DS, not just me and DD. But you have all made me see sense!

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Original poster
racheyc · 22/02/2017 18:52

You know what put this in my mind? I didn't think anything of it really until my stepmum (who will also be going on this trip to Portugal with my dad and daughter) said 'but wouldn't you be upset that you won't be with her on her first plane trip?' I guess that was what made me paranoid

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Mehfruittea · 22/02/2017 19:05

I know what you mean about firsts OP. I cried a lot and got very angry at my GP for not giving me antibiotics to clear a chest infection in time for our first ever holiday (Butlins!) It got worse while away, went to my ears as well. we drove 6 hours home and went directly to the drs, suitcases still in the car. I was so upset at him, I blubbed that I'd missed my baby's first touch of sand between his toes and the first time he saw the sea! He suggested I had PND, i lost my shit and got the antibiotics. 3 days later it was finally clearing (after being sick for 6 weeks) it took all my self control not to go back and show him how well the antibiotics were working for PND!!

Enjoy whichever firsts mean something to you. DH will never forget the first time DS asked for his own cup of gravy to go with his tea! A proud moment!

tired17 · 22/02/2017 19:21

I would make sure your dad has some boiled/chewy sweets to give her to help with the pressure in her ears. My DD still gets upset if she can't relieve the pressure when taking off/landing , shes 13 now, and I'm sure he won't want her to get upset. (I know my dad would struggle in that situation)