Growing up, I had a huge issue with motion sickness. I used to throw up in the car all the time as a kid, and this affliction has even followed me into adulthood. While I’m not quick to puke anymore, I cannot read in the car, go on a swaying boat, or travel along windy roads for too long without feeling like I’m going to throw up. Being so familiar with motion sickness has made me hyper-aware of it. I had hoped that my kids would not have as severe of a problem with it as I do, but unfortunately, that is not the case with my son.
My daughter had all of two bouts of throwing up in the car as a toddler, but once we flipped her seat forward, the problems stopped.
My son, on the other hand, has not been so lucky. He has thrown up almost every time he has ridden in the car since he turned 1, which was a year and a half ago. This predisposition to puke makes for a very stressful time for both the baby and me.
He developed this not long before Covid-19 hit.
Looking back, I realize that our lives would not have been very different. Taking him in the car would have been something I avoided regardless of Covid-19. Our lives would have been exactly the same, but it is nice that we didn’t really miss out on much during this time with all of the restrictions anyway. The only times I take him in the car are when it is something medical.
His problems have meant that we no longer go on impromptu car rides or trips to Target.
When it was just my daughter and me, I would go stir crazy and need to get out of the house once a week. Now, we barely go out. I have become accustomed to it, for the most part. The bouts of stir craziness are nothing compared with the overwhelming anxiety I feel over having to take him somewhere.
Unfortunately, this means missed opportunities.
We have skipped family get-togethers, a wedding, and other things just because I know he wouldn’t have made it there without getting sick. I would love to venture out to the park or the zoo, but I will only do so when my husband can come along as well. Taking them out during the week alone is too stressful most of the time. Having someone else to calm the kids and clean up the puke is very helpful.
I hope that he will be able to manage his car sickness soon, but until he can, we will find fun things to do around the house and in our neighborhood.
I’m also hoping Dramamine will help him at some point, as it does help me. But, unfortunately, it seems to be just a wait-and-see sort of problem. It's hard missing out on so much, especially as things begin to open back up. All I can do is wait it out and continue to do what is best for him, even if that means venturing out rarely and only for certain things.
