When I was a kid, every time my family went on a trip that took us farther than an hour from our house, I got carsick. It was awful. My parents dreaded the car ride to our destination and usually ended up giving me something to knock me out for the duration. Once we arrived at the vacation spot, I either vomited or was fine—until it was time to get back in the car to return home. Same scenario. A pill to keep me asleep until we arrived back at our house. But that was the 80s, and drugging your kids into an unconscious stupor wasn’t as frowned upon then as it is today.
Tips for Preventing Carsickness in Kids
If your carsick-prone child does better being asleep during a journey, consider driving overnight to your destination. Make sure you’re alert enough to travel during those tough early morning hours. Then, either wait until it’s your child’s bedtime to hit the road, hoping he’ll nod off quickly, or gently transfer and buckle him into his seat after he’s had a few hours of sleep in his own bed. Don’t forget to bring a blanket to cover Junior as he slumbers in the backseat. Even in the summer, a blanket will provide comfort and security for your sleeping child, giving him a better chance of staying asleep.
If driving overnight isn’t an option, prepare an emergency travel kit to prevent your child from getting sick. The trick is to keep something in your child’s stomach, but not too much. Also, it’s important to choose the right foods. Think about what a pregnant woman nibbles on in early pregnancy when nausea is common: crackers, applesauce, plain toast, and bananas are all nausea-preventing superstars. These bland foods aren’t too rich, sweet, or greasy. Along with these snacks, pack a bottle of water and/or ginger ale, mints, and children’s stomach medicine. Make sure your child sips and nibbles to maintain a constant, yet not overwhelming, supply of mild sustenance in his stomach. Sucking on a mint containing real peppermint oil is also a tried-and-true way to settle an anxious stomach.
There are also things your child can do to prevent getting ill. For one, it’s best for him to avoid reading, texting, playing handheld games, or watching movies while the car is in motion. Focusing on something like a book or smartphone while there’s outside movement in his peripheral vision is a sure way to trigger motion sickness. Ideally, your child should rest with his eyes closed for as long as he can stand it. And yes, hopefully, he’ll nap for a good portion of the trip. If he can’t bear to keep his eyes closed, train him to look out the window at the horizon and restrict any side-to-side movement of his head and eyes.
You can also help by ensuring the car is comfortable. Make sure the temperature isn’t too hot or cold. Avoid eating greasy foods or wearing strong perfumes and colognes. The driver should aim to drive calmly and smoothly. Also, avoid playing loud, over-stimulating music. In fact, speak to your child in soothing, reassuring tones. Often, anxiety is a major culprit in causing carsickness. He’ll remember and appreciate how much effort you put into reducing the chances of him getting sick during car rides. As an added bonus, you’ll probably avoid having to pull over and clean up vomit from your vehicle’s upholstery.
It also helps to take regular bathroom breaks. Even if your child doesn’t have to ‘go,’ it’s a great opportunity for him to stretch his legs and take in some fresh air. Temporarily escaping the confines of the vehicle can be calming and relaxing for a child who doesn’t travel well. Use these stops to restock your emergency kit and tidy up the car. A clean, uncluttered environment can also help your carsick-prone child. Give Junior a big hug and try to gauge how he’s doing physically and mentally. Tell him you’re proud of him for soldiering through what can be an unpleasant experience.
If your child is feeling up to it, try distracting him from the seemingly never-ending journey ahead. One game I love to distract my daughters with is the Alphabet Game. You choose a topic, like “Disney characters,” and have your children close their eyes and go through the alphabet naming characters—either to themselves or aloud. Ariel, Bambi, Cinderella, Donald Duck, etc. Of course, you can always play the old road trip classics like I Spy, the license plate game, or punch buggy. Another fun game is for each family member to announce their top three favorite personality traits about each person in the car. This usually brings tears to my eyes and makes everyone feel the warm fuzzies!
Be Prepared for the Inevitable
Despite your best efforts, sometimes carsickness is simply inevitable. Be prepared for this possibility. First, it helps to put an old towel on the seat under your child, and perhaps one on the floor under his feet. Next, keep a change of clothes handy for your child, as well as any other children who may be sitting near him in the backseat. If the odor isn’t too bad, consider having your children ride without shoes, so they won’t get ruined if the worst-case scenario happens. A fragrance-free fabric deodorizer is also a good idea to pack, along with several rolls of paper towels, a tub of wet wipes, and an old waterproof container large enough to catch…well, you know. Make sure you stop at a secure location before cleaning up—it’s not worth the danger of pulling over on the side of a busy road.
Hopefully, carsickness is something your child will outgrow. At some point, he’ll be old enough to ride in the front seat, where carsickness rarely strikes. Statistically, drivers, especially, have an advantage when it comes to avoiding car sickness. Yes, before you know it, your child will even be old enough to drive! Then, you may be the one who feels like throwing up!
