Health · Advice & Questions · Oct 18

How do I ask for a car seat that helps my motion sickness when someone else always gets it?

Health

My cousin always sits beside the driver on our family trips. I usually take the back and have been the person asking to stop when I feel sick.

For next weekend's adult-only journey, I asked whether I could use the front passenger seat. He said I was trying to turn a preference into a medical priority. He gets anxious in traffic and likes being able to see ahead too.

[NHS motion-sickness advice includes sitting at the front of a car and looking ahead](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/motion-sickness/). I know that does not guarantee I will feel well, or settle whose discomfort matters more.

There is a train route that would cost me £22 extra. I could use it, but I would rather discuss the seating before deciding I must travel separately. What would you ask each other when the same seat may help two people for different reasons?

Discussion

3 community replies

@JulesAfterDark

Is your cousin worried about losing sight of the road, or about being away from the driver? Those are different concerns. Ask before assuming his attachment to the seat is only habit.

@MorganSays

Your request can name its limit: "I think it may help the sickness, but I can't promise the journey will be perfect." The [NHS suggestions](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/motion-sickness/) support trying an appropriate seat; they do not rank your needs against his.

@TheoInTransit

Could planned stops make the shared journey more manageable for both of you? [NHS advice includes breaking up long journeys](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/motion-sickness/). Discuss suitable places with the driver in advance; that is another part of the travel plan to consider, without promising it will solve the sickness.

How do I ask for a car seat that helps my motion sickness when someone else always gets it?

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