Do tablets make your kid car sick?

[Anonymous]

We're about to go on a longer trip, and my youngest is finally at an age where he'd probably be happy with a tablet. But, my older son used to get car sick, and maybe still does under the right circumstances. I'm a little nervous about handing the tablets over if they're going to induce puking. The 5 year old might be able to tell me if he's not feeling well, but it's doubtful the 2 year old would.

Any advice on this front?

[Anonymous]

I am a professional puker and can tell you in no uncertain terms that it is a bad idea.

The ideal is to look out the FRONT windshield at the horizon. Also, crack the windows about an inch. Reading or looking at something stationary does not compute with the motion the inner ear is feeling. That's what makes you puke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a professional puker and can tell you in no uncertain terms that it is a bad idea.

The ideal is to look out the FRONT windshield at the horizon. Also, crack the windows about an inch. Reading or looking at something stationary does not compute with the motion the inner ear is feeling. That's what makes you puke.

Exactly

[Anonymous]

NOt a good idea. I had motion sickness as a child and I agree with PP about opening the window for fresh air. I'm an adult and feel dizzy when I look at my phone for an extended time. We don't usually use electronics in the car. During long drives, we play guessing games, writing tablet, naming thing from A-Z, math games, etc. the kids usually sleep for most of the time.

[Anonymous]

Very much so.

Professional puker, I like the title you have bestowed on yourself

[Anonymous]

No issue.

[Anonymous]

If your kid already gets car sick then I would probably not. My 10 year old and 2 year old are fine with a tablet but my 6 year old gets car sick even without one.

[Anonymous]

My youngest gets carsick looking at a tablet that is not STRAPPED and stable.

So - holding it on the lap = puke
watching as it is secured to a seat back = no puke

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My youngest gets carsick looking at a tablet that is not STRAPPED and stable.

So - holding it on the lap = puke
watching as it is secured to a seat back = no puke

Interesting.

I wish I didn't have to test these scenarios out to see if they work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My youngest gets carsick looking at a tablet that is not STRAPPED and stable.

So - holding it on the lap = puke
watching as it is secured to a seat back = no puke

Interesting.

I wish I didn't have to test these scenarios out to see if they work!

This is the same for 2 of my DCs. The caveat being that it has to be strapped to the seat back directly in front of him -- one DC can't be looking sideways at the strapped screen. This info is from back in the day before tablets but for portable DVD players. I figure it's still applicable!

Anything that requires looking down, whether that's reading, coloring or playing with a toy, results in near immediate sickness.

[Anonymous]

Yup sick. I’m amazed by kids who can do this.

[Anonymous]

My kid has hers on a headrest holder so its at eye level. No sickness

One day last year she was holding it in her hands for some reason and after an hour threw up. So now if she wants it it needs to stay at eye level.
We do a lot of long rides and no problems as long as its on the headrest holder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid has hers on a headrest holder so its at eye level. No sickness

One day last year she was holding it in her hands for some reason and after an hour threw up. So now if she wants it it needs to stay at eye level.
We do a lot of long rides and no problems as long as its on the headrest holder.

Did she warn you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're about to go on a longer trip, and my youngest is finally at an age where he'd probably be happy with a tablet. But, my older son used to get car sick, and maybe still does under the right circumstances. I'm a little nervous about handing the tablets over if they're going to induce puking. The 5 year old might be able to tell me if he's not feeling well, but it's doubtful the 2 year old would.

Any advice on this front?

My advice would be...why tablets in the car if you have not been doing it? Now admittedly this is because I have a kiddo who is happy in the car, and because he is quite the puker, but I have never allowed screens in my car (not being preachy, we have heavy screen usage at home, which I am ashamed of). We take long car rides - 6-8 hours. Kid is now five and it is fine. Between talking, music, naps, and toys he does great. So if it is working out that your kiddo can do without a tablet, why introduce one? Personally I enjoy our road adventures!

[Anonymous]

For my puke-prone kid, an audiobook is a nice distraction on a long ride.