We experienced Liddia's first airplane ride. Let me just say it was quite an experience. The first hour was uneventful. We gave her Melatonin to help her sleep. I thought I was in for an easy plane ride then she woke up and was very unhappy. Let's just say, Delci you have been removed from cranky baby royalty because there is a new queen in town!
We still had four more hours of plane ride and her highness was not settling down at all. Have you ever had to parent a child who didn't speak your language with a airplane full of people who did? To make matters worse we had three very kind grandmothers behinds us who were constantly trying to help me. Have you ever had Chinese grandmothers pantomime what you should do to help your crying child?
Then we had a young lady setting beside us that just stared at us like we were the in flight entertainment! I felt like my every move was being watched and critiqued. The man in front of us was very kind and also tried to help by smiling and snapping his fingers at her. Well, all efforts were in vain and I finally had to walk up and down the isle with a screaming child in front of hundreds of eyes trying to calm her. She eventually did settle down and slept the rest of the way. Until it was time to land and suddenly she had to go to the bathroom.
Have you ever tried to tell a child in a language they can't understand they have to wait tell the plane is on the ground? Well... it didn't go to well and we started another crying episode.
Chinese people do not like to hear children cry so after handfuls of candy thrown at us the stewardess had me hurry to the bathroom as we were preparing to land. So.... have you ever taken a child to the restroom on a plane while you were landing? Me either lets just say we made it out alive!
To be honest it was a long flight, but really who can blame little Liddia. She probably has never even seen and airplane and she is in a whole new environment with people who don't speak her language. So please don't think she is a bad little girl. She is sweet as they come and we love her so much already. She has handled it pretty well considering her whole world has been turned upside down.
Just as a side note for a few days now I have been suspicious of nits in Liddia's hair. After the plane ride it was confirmed as I had a massive amount of nit bites on my shoulder where she laid her head as she slept on the plane.
Our adoption agency recommended we buy special shampoo just for the occasion. I'm so glad we did. We all shampooed and combed and sent all our clothes to the laundry. All is well!!! The nits were just the cherry on top of a very hard day, but we made it and we love it here in Guangzhou.
Ahhhh, the in-country flight! On one of ours, two guys started a fist fight over the seating assignments- I was worried we were going to get hit- and the rest of the people on the plane seemed to think it was normal to have people fighting on a plane.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're not feeling judged by those on your flight. It has been my experience that the Chinese people are helpful and kind, but always curious. You guys were out in the nether-regions, so I'm sure a bigger curiosity than when you get down to GZ.
But still, an upset child makes for a miserable flight, whether in China or the US. I'm sorry you all had the struggle of getting through a flight.
Hopefully your time in GZ will be great. It's warm {snowing here today :)} and the White Swan has a fun little pool you could try swimming if you wanted. PLUS- GZ means almost home!!
Kim Brown
I dont know if this helps much..or if the medicine you gave her help this at all..but I had a horrible time flying due to my ears because of the air pressure. I remember crying at 12 years old. Might want to look into something that might help with it, just to see if it works for her!
ReplyDeleteWow. And now you're looking at a much longer flight home. You can do it though!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the post from Shawnee. Flying with kids is an adventure in it's self. But if she can swallow, either by drink or food, it helps the ear pressure. Gum also works well. (try candy with little pieces that she likes and reward her when she calms down - but that ear pressure is very painful)
ReplyDeleteAlso coloring or some project with details (books, puzzles, games, etc)that might help distract her attention.
We've only gone from East coast to west coast with little kids. We left so many rattles and teething toys on planes. We wish you well on your long flight home. We continue to pray for you and are excited for your return. Almost there! We love you all!
We can't seem to make our post go through! This is our second try. Anyway, we said "Ouch!" to ourselves as we read the account of your first flight with Liddia. Glad it was you and not us!
ReplyDeleteMy father worked in China for over a year and my mom took my younger brother there to see him once.
ReplyDeleteMy mom felt like she was in a fish bowl when ever they would go out because of all the constant gazing by every one.
I can only imagine what it was like on the plane with every one pantomiming and passing out candy. It is a scene right out of a movie.
Thank you for sharing this with all of us.
It is heartwarming to read about.
Liddia lights up the room. She will be very popular.
We all enjoy being able to share in this adventure with you, our thoughts and prayers are also in you behalf at this exciting time.
Herman Mackay