15 replies to this topic

[floating dutchman]

My boy, nearly seven now, has come on the first sails of the wenesday night beer can races, First two nights and no problems, Second two nights he got seasick. The conditions all four times were what I would call "family sailing conditions" 7 - 15 knot's and waves up to 3 ft. (often less).
Last season he would only get sick if it was rough or wollowly, after the first few sails of this season he seem's to be getting sick at the drop of a hat. I don't know what's up.
A month ago went sailing with the family and My boy is down below in 12-14 knot's playing with his toys and one year old sister, sister gets upset becauce her world is leaning and bouncing so I go below, sit her on my knee and go "bouncies" when we hit a wave, "Dads happy so all must be good, I' going to sleep now", boy fine, had to explain to him that she has yet to understand that this boat thing leans and bounces and your used to it so it doesn't bother you.
Yesterday same situtaion but smaller waves and less wind (8 knots 1ft) and he starts feeling crook?

I just reread ND's "babies in the cotpit" thread and think that a car seat in the cotpit would be a good thing, My wife suffers seasickness and keeping the little one in the cotpit keeps her in the cotpit, she is not confortable steering the boat aroud traffic etc. I think it would also keep my boy in the cotpit and help his situtaion. That will help the family crusing but not the wenesday night beer can's. Last week he didn't want to come, he was worried about being sick. can't blame him or force him.

Any ideas on how to move forward with this?

[Ajax]

Try a placebo. Give him a sugar pill or something, and tell him it's motion-sickness "medicine" and see how he does. He may be getting sick because he's mentally talking himself into it.

If he continues getting sick, look into actual medicine for motion sickness that is appropriate for children. Perhaps some ginger chews to start with.

[SereneSpeed]

I know a couple people who swear by ginger. Pickled, tea, candied, or cookies, doesn't matter. That and no junk food before sailing, just light healthy stuff.

EDIT: those wrist bands with the two nubs worked for my cousin when he was 5-10 years old...

[Occams Razor]

we use a dilute child-safe seasickness med, can't remember which brand, mixed into lemonade. She now looks forward to that and I suppose it would work as a placebo now.

[Tucky]

Try a placebo. Give him a sugar pill or something, and tell him it's motion-sickness "medicine" and see how he does. He may be getting sick because he's mentally talking himself into it.

If he continues getting sick, look into actual medicine for motion sickness that is appropriate for children. Perhaps some ginger chews to start with.

+1 to the Placebo. I got seasick the first time I sailed overnight at age 11- just anxiety. It continued for a few years because I was afraid of it. A placebo would have worked wonders.

[Soñadora]

I like this placebo idea. Will need to try that next time.

[jackdaw]

I like this placebo idea. Will need to try that next time.

For you or the kids?????? ;^)

[Soñadora]

haha...

are you saying I have a short attention span?

Hey look! A bunny!

[whispers]

My old man used to used to give me a shot of rum as a placebo, was never sea sick but it had the bonus of when I was older ie 16 I was always crew for him.

[whispers]

I still have the taste for bundaberg rum, the shit we drink lol

[Balder]

I've worked the placebo bit on 15 year olds. Once on 4 at the same time. Observed effectiveness - 100%

[rattus32]

I still have the taste for bundaberg rum, the shit we drink lol

Yeah, I've been trying to wash it out of my brain for 2 years - still not working. ;-)

[floating dutchman]

Ajax, I think you hit the nail on the head. I'm going to give that a try. I'm realy not fond of the real medication for kids.

[stranded]

anxiety

getting used to something new and different

when they can see all is happy and relaxing, problem over


+1000 placebo


routine or allocation of duties can also work well

[floating dutchman]

Well I'm buggered if I know.

This week, totaly different. I didn't get a chance to find a convincing placebo, One thing is that the weather has been rather hot and he has had in his mind that you don't wear shorts untill summer and summer doesn't start untill December. I neary had to force him into shorts, We ate blander food before sailing and I told him to have a big glass of water before we left.
On the boat he didn't want his safty harness he wanted his life jacket. Light conditions he is allowed to decide for himself so not and issue, he gets life jacket.
Totaly different kid aboard, smiling again, walking around the boat, socialising with the crew and basicly a very happy kid!

Not 100% sure what went right, Maybe just a stage that kid's go through, Dunno.
But I'm going to sort a placebo just in case. That was the simple solution to a difficult problem that I came here for.

[Slick470]

Temperature seems to be the biggest factor for me and it appears our daughter has inherited it. As long as I stay relatively cool, life is good, but once I start to overheat, all bets are off. Worst time for me is winter on cold sunny days. You're bundled up to be outside, but get in the car and start driving and between the clothes, car heater, and the sun, you warm up too quick and it kicks in.

We had a minor round of seasickness with our baby last spring, but once we realized she was a bit over dressed for the conditions and cooled her off some, she was fine after that.