Overnight Flight!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2006
Overnight Flight!!
5
Wed, 05-30-2007 - 11:38pm

Just wondering what some of you think...

My DD (11 y/o) and I are going on an end of school year vacation to Disney next week! Since this is her first time going she is very excited about it and has been looking forward to this trip for a while.

Due to my budget, the least expensive direct flight I found is an overnight flight that departs our city at 9:45pm and doesn't arrive till 5 hours later, plus the time difference.
This is way past her normal bedtime so she would most likely be sleeping the entire flight. (I hope so, since I won't have to deal with her ears bothering her)

The problem is, when she sleeps or even takes extended naps she sometimes has an accident. Especially considering the excitement of the trip, I'm not sure I want to chance her having one on the plane. She would be extremely embarrassed.

My plan was to have her wear a Goodnite and change into her pjs before we boarded the plane.

Just wondering what some other parents think or if any of you have been in the same situation.

I really don't want to start of a fun vacation on a bad note!

Let me know! Thanks...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2007
Thu, 05-31-2007 - 2:58am
I hope you don't mind my asking - does your daughter have special needs, aside from the "accidents" situation? It seems that at 11 years old that is not something that's common. If she does have other needs, I would consider those first. Also, I would think she may be embarrassed about boarding the plane in her PJs? We are flying overnight to Disney with my 9yo son in August and it would never have occurred to me to have him wear PJs. I certainly want him to be comfortable, and to sleep as much as possible so he won't be exhausted the next day, but sweats and Tshirt would serve the same purpose without potentially embarrassing him by having him wear PJs in what IMO is a public place. I hope you take this comment the way I mean it which is with all my respect. By the way I completely understand the budget issue since that's where we're coming from, too (actually taking two connecting flights with a middle of the night layover at that!) But my strategy will be to (1) make sure DS has gotten *some* sleep by the time we get out of the house and to the airport (his bedtime is also much earlier than our midnight departure time!) and (2) planning for a very very easy, relaxing time upon arrival and an early bedtime that night.
Hope this helps at all?
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2004
Thu, 05-31-2007 - 8:52am
We are flying overnight on our trip and I won't be having the kids wear their pjs.

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2006
Thu, 05-31-2007 - 12:45pm

Thanks for your reply...

Maybe I should have made myself a little more clear. As for pj's I did not mean little kid ones. She normally just sleeps in a t-shirt and sweatpants or shorts. Just something to make her comfortable for the long flight.

She does not have any special needs, but does have a severe case of ADHD. One of the side effects of ADHD according to our pediatrician is occasional bedwetting and accidents which is not that uncommon for someone her age. She will eventually grow out of it as she gets older, begins puberty, and her ADHD gets under control.

But until that happens, this is something we have to deal with. I know it is not totally her fault and I want the both of us to have a great vacation in spite of this minor problem. It is very hard for her to get a good night rest and I really do not want to have to wake her up constantly during the flight. She gets very cranky. Honestly if my budget was not an issue then I would have just booked a normal daytime flight but being a single parent, this was the best I could do. I was just wondering if any other parents had to deal with this on a flight or had any suggestions.

Thank you!

Avatar for dklauduc
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 05-31-2007 - 2:08pm

Is it not an option to just put a GoodNight on before the flight? Does she wear those at home to go to sleep? My 5 1/2 yo wears a GoodNight every night still.


 Dana, mom to Kevin (10/24/01) and Jason (10/15/04)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2006
Fri, 06-01-2007 - 1:24am

Hi Dana!

Yes it is totally an option to put a Goodnite on before the flight. That was what I had planned orginally and it is what we normally do at home.

I just wanted to know if anyone had done it before on a long flight. I don't think people would notice she had it on, that was her only major concern.

Let me know...

Thanks for your help!