Not been abroad for an age...

[CheshireEditor]

On a plane that is, kids 10 and 15 so no issues there. What tips would you give me, a nervous flyer and someone who gets weirdly homesick. Yes I shout at myself for this annoying thing "FFS I've saved for this holiday and we are going to love it stop trying to ruin it!" I have valium for the plane. Other than a large communal slap from MN to get a grip, any other advice for a travel plane wimp?

How long is your flight?

Try and sit in the middle or on the aisle, that way you can't see the window and it feels more like a bus.

As i have got older and now have a child, i'm more 'concerned' (for want of a better word!) about take off. I used to be able to watch the whole thing from the window - now not so much So i close my eyes for take off/landing and sing a little song in my head - try and remember all the words, imagine singing it at Superbowl or some such crap!

So, when i'm on the 'flying bus' i occupy myself: book, music, sudoku, magazine, guide book - whatever. About 30 mins before landing I go for a wee, otherwise they start descending and seatbelt lights go on and you can't pee until you get into the terminal.

If your dc are happy to play games, then silly words or phrases - or films, for eg - on a piece of paper as hangman while away the time really well.

Decide beforehand if you want dc to carry their passports/tickets, or if you'd prefer to have them all together.

Airport security is a GIANT pain in the neck. You neec to remove: belt, shoes (sandals/flip flops can stay on), watch, jacket/wrap. In the slidey bucket through the xray goes all of that plus any hand luggage, also keys, money, mobile phone. I recently travelled solo with my 5yo and flying out of Stansted we needed 4 trays!

If you have liquids in hand luggage (if you are checking heavy cases in - put liquids in them), you need a clear ziplock bag (can get at airport security) and each bottle can only hold 100ml. So for eg mini toothpaste, mini shampoo, mini conditioner, liquid make up, mascara - also gels. Check the airport website.

Security and immigration queues are my bugbear, once i'm through them i'm ok. A necessary evil, i suppose, although i'm not happy looking at you idiot shoe bomber

Keep thinking "in X hours i'll be on a pool chair/on the beach/in hotel shower/sitting on balcony with gin looking at Eiffel Tower/in aircon etc.

Bon voyage

So do you actually WANT to go abroad, or are you thinking you should just (wo)man up and do it for the kids? Because if it's the latter I would question whether it makes a difference to fly or drive/train. You can easily get to France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and even further afield by train, if it's the 'abroad' bit that matters most for you.

And what is it that makes you feel homesick? Maybe getting to the bottom of that is the key to enjoying your holidays more. Is it the problem of communication, or is it the different food, or missing certain people? If so, you could overcome those things by, for instance, choosing a destination where you can speak English, or where familiar foods are available, or inviting friends/family members to go along too.

I sympathise because I am a nervous flyer who had allowed their anxiety to stop them from taking planes for 3 years. One year I went all the way to the Southern tip of Spain by trains, then decided I wanted to get control back. Also, I didn't want my fear to be communicated to my kids. This is what I did.
I read BA's "Flying with Confidence" book which was very helpful (you can also do their one day course). I started with a short flight (london to belfast). I also avoided Ryanair because I think being reasonably well treated in the lead up to the flight is more conducive to coping during the flight.
So far it has worked well, I 've only done flights to Europe so far but would contemplate America. When there is turbulence I mentally run through the main points in the turbulence chapter and that helps me cope.
Good luck.

Look on the airport's website to see whether you can buy fast track security. At Manchester it costs £3 so for £9 (£12 if you have DP travelling with you) you save a lot of time and hassle at security.

I believe it's £5 or £6 each at Gatwick.

Book a reliable taxi to the airport, or go on public transport or drive then stay overnight at the airport hotel. Early morning is the busiest time at the airport, any time after midday is much quieter.

Travelling from a small airport like Southampton can feel calmer too.

Plan things to do for each day of the holiday so you don't miss home but instead have things to look forward to. I think there's an app called Civitas or similar which allows you to book all sorts of sightseeing / tourist type things in advance.

Also take some good books or buy them at the airport.

Thanks all, so helpful and things I will do. I think my fear is of being stranded and never getting home, or it being a long process. We've holiday insurance, ABTA and ATOL etc so if there were an issue we'd get home eventually, I know that. But fears are irrational!

The fast track security is a great idea, didn't know it existed, we are flying from Doncaster Sheffield, smaller airport and they don;t do it, good to know for next time. THANK YOU :-)