Unhappy, playing up children and toddler tantrums are said to be putting parents off jetting off to sunnier climes for their holidays according to new research carried out by Heathrow Airport.
The research found that one in five parents avoid foreign holidays, and instead opt for a ???stay-cation? in the UK, in a bid to escape the stress of travelling with children.
The research comes as the UK?s busiest airport prepared for 5.7 million passengers to pass through its Terminal buildings this April, in one of the busiest months of the year.
Out of the one in five parents admitting that they are avoiding air travel with small children this year, equating to 19%, 17% of those polled said that they had never actually gone on a foreign holiday because they simply didn?t want to go through the airport and plane experience with their children.
It seems that parents are not only worried about the stress they encounter, but also the stress it puts on other travellers, as 46% said they get stressed when disrupting other passengers; with 34% of parents concerned about a child crying during the entire flight.
30% of parents said their children found it hard to keep still after half an hour, and 63% saying that their children started to play up after just less than an hour on a confined aircraft.
Other concerns highlighted when travelling with children included children getting lost in a busy airport ??? 42%, children being ill on a flight ??? 48% and 38% of parents fearing a repetition of previous travel bad behaviour.
If you are travelling with children this year then check out these top tips to help make a flight that little bit easier?
??? Painful Ear-popping ??? when your ears pop it can be very painful. Adults can pop their ears but children cannot. therefore, to avoid this pain for your children make sure they have a drink on take-off and landing. The constant sucking, on a bottle or through a straw, will pop their ears and help avoid any pain!
??? Travel games- there?s a huge selection of travel games which take up little room in your hand luggage. Card games like snap and matching pairs, or games like Guess Who?, Connect four will keep children (and adults) amused!
??? Children?s magazines ??? lightweight and inexpensive, there is a great choice of fun and educational children?s magazines available in any newsagent. Full of colouring, stories, games and sticker activities they are an instant hit, keeping little ones entertained for a good while.
??? Snacks ??? we all know that hungry people can be grumpy and for little ones it?s even worse. If you?ve not opted for an in-flight meal, or it?s a long wait until it?s served, make sure you have snacks and drinks packed in your hand luggage.
??? Surprise presents ??? wrap up a few toys and games for the flight. keep them in your hand luggage and let your children unwrap them when they start to get agitated or bored. The children are very excited and happy and playing with their new gift entertains them!
??? If you have an iPod think about downloading some of your child?s favourite TV shows or movies ??? with a pair of headphones (if small children you?ll need to buy some proper headphones) it will keep your little one quiet for easily an hour or more!
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If you are travelling through Heathrow Airport check here more tips and advice when travelling with children.
Source: http://travelandleisuretoday.com/parents-avoid-air-travel-due-to-unhappy-children/
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