Flying high

19 June 2008
Melua Watson (Toddler)

Then the cranky propeller outside our window may have lulled her to sleep. Instead it wound her up, and consequently the rest of the plane. We could see the pilots behind their little curtain and fortunately they already had head-sets on.

I've heard about little people's ears being super sensitive to flying and I'm sure that might have been our problem. That and the frustrating confinement of being unable to reach the spiky hair of the man in front of us.

But flying aside, Meggie had a lovely weekend in the capital - Te Papa with Grandma, speeding down the slide at Frank Kitts Park and getting generally loved up by all her fans.

As usual it was over far too quickly. To my amazement we were let back on the plane. I felt like jumping up after the steward did his quaint demonstration, and issuing an apology in advance.

Then a miracle. Meg had a ball. Pointing out the window, chatting to people over the back. We did two things differently and at risk of sounding like an old wife with a tale, this is it:

Pepperminty aromatherapy lotion on her temples - and mine. Sniff! Breathe! - and a bottle of formula just after take-off. It was probably the sucking relieving her ears, and the warm full tummy calming her nerves, but the aromatherapy can't have hurt. If anyone else has a miracle flying tip send it in!

Happy travels.