There’s almost nothing worse than taking a long car trip with a child who gets carsick. Not only is there the potential for some pretty awful messes to clean up, but children who get carsick easily tend to be much more irritable and upset when it comes time to go on a trip – which can make you irritable and upset, too!

While some parents find success with low doses of anti-nausea medication, it’s always important to check with your doctor before offering any over-the-counter drugs. There are also quite a few home remedies that can provide relief.

Mints or other hard candies serve a double purpose – sucking on one can help your child avoid getting sick in the car and also help freshen breath if it does occur. These types of treats do present a choking hazard for very young kids, so you may want to rely on lollipops, instead. (Opt for the kind with curved, flexible sticks for car travel.)

Ginger has long been used as an anti-nausea remedy. For kids, gingersnap cookies are often all that’s needed to keep carsickness away, and they make a tasty snack for the rest of the car, too. Bland foods like crackers and bread can also help.

Acupressure wrist bands are popular among those who travel by sea, air, and car. However, it may be difficult to find them in child sizes. Instead, you can try providing your own gentle pressure – even if you don’t hit the right spot, the distraction might prove helpful.

Keep your child away from the windows (by seating him or her in the middle seat) and avoid letting the child gaze outside for very long. Sometimes, having a portable DVD player can help, since your child’s focus will be directed almost entirely on the screen.

Allow for longer rest stops and down time. It’s not fun to feel queasy for hours on end, so your child needs extra love, support, and attention in order to feel good about the travel experience.

Be prepared for the worst. This means paper bags or plastic tubs (with covers) should be on hand, in addition to water for drinking and for damping down cloths to put over the face. Wet wipes and other cleaning supplies won’t hurt, either.

Although you may never be able to completely get rid of carsickness, you can alleviate the symptoms. The more you do to prevent carsickness, the better the trip will be for all of you!