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AIBU

Do you agree with me or parent and child?

(15 Posts)
WelshPoppy Thu 02-Jul-26 08:52:28

Arranged a coach trip for a group of youngsters aged 9 to 11. Pre information said that car sick children should take medication/wear a wristband, etc, prior to departure. Little Gerty's (not real name) mother informs me while waiting to get on coach, that wristbands don't work and that Gerty had chosen not to take medication. Mother told me she feels it's important that Gerty has a choice. Half an hour into one hour trip, Gerty projectile vomits over the child in front, the child beside her, the seat and floor of the coach and herself. When I go to try and sort things out, Gerty giggles and tells me "that always happens when I choose to not take the tablet". Luckily we limited food and drink intake to essential only (no sweets/fizzy drinks) and got home unscathed, although Gerty did vomit after getting off the coach. In future, should I insist that Gerty receives medication as a proviso for being allowed on the coach or let mum allow Gerty to choose, putting other children in an uncomfortable situation?

Oreo Thu 02-Jul-26 09:09:50

She doesn’t take medication she doesn’t go.

Oreo Thu 02-Jul-26 09:10:37

Totally unfair to the other kids and adults who have to deal with it.

eazybee Thu 02-Jul-26 09:14:28

Gerty has a choice: she takes her medication and goes on the trip, or refuses her medication and does not go, as her action impacts on other people.

If it is a school trip and part of the curriculum, I am not sure where you stand, (depriving child of educational opportunity) but possibly get parent to sign a disclaimer and agree to take responsibility for any damage caused.

Astitchintime Thu 02-Jul-26 09:21:16

Have to ask……is Getty’s mother going to pay the coach company charge for cleaning up a soiled seat?

Astitchintime Thu 02-Jul-26 09:23:39

Posted too soon……..it would have been the fact that Gerty thought it was funny that would annoy me! And if dearest mummy knew what would happen why didn’t she send a bowl, wipes, bottle of water etc to minimise the mess!?!?

tanith Thu 02-Jul-26 09:24:13

Insist ‘Gertys’ Mum goes too so she can clean up the inevitable mess.

Retread Thu 02-Jul-26 09:26:02

What has the world come to?! This reminds me of the time I was on a road trip with friends years ago and a child vomited, car sick. At the comfort break stop the child wanted a strawberry milkshake, mother said Yes, a chorus of the rest of us cried No!

No meds, no trip in future.

AGAA4 Thu 02-Jul-26 09:29:20

I remember school trips my children went on and there were always plastic lidded buckets taken on the bus/coach.
If parents know their child suffers from travel sickness then they should be given a tablet. Gerty's mother should have explained to her that it's not fair on others if she is sick on the coach and she has to take her travel pill or forfeit the trip.

25Avalon Thu 02-Jul-26 09:32:58

The best solution would be for Gerty’s mum to tell Gerty that if she doesn’t take the anti sick pill she is not going. That isn’t going to happen however. Does Gerty get to choose everything in life? Does she choose to come to school or not? Mum must take responsibility and it is mum who should be told Gerty will not be allowed on school trips unless she takes the medication.

MawsRosie Thu 02-Jul-26 09:56:27

tanith

Insist ‘Gertys’ Mum goes too so she can clean up the inevitable mess.

Best advice !

WelshPoppy Thu 02-Jul-26 09:59:10

It wasn't a school trip but a youth organisation. We had buckets, etc, not enough for one per passenger, spread around the coach. Mother wasn't particularly concerned when she picked Gerty up.

Grammaretto Thu 02-Jul-26 10:01:26

I think you know the answer! Yes taking the tablets etc is the only way Gerty should be allowed if there is a next time.
Her mum should come too though she sounds very stupid and not someone you'd want on a coach trip.

Kwells are very easy to take and you can get children's ones.

But this business of asking infants to make a choice when their experience of life is so short, sounds like utter nonsense to me!

I had 4 kids and not much spare cash so I can't remember offering them many choices.

NotSpaghetti Thu 02-Jul-26 10:36:45

tanith

Insist ‘Gertys’ Mum goes too so she can clean up the inevitable mess.

Or ask Gerty's mummy to please drive her separately (and take her home again afterwards).

If she is unable to travel without being sick I think you should be able to provide her with a "suitable alternative activity" to be done at school or at home.

I would be very upset for the other children with vomit over them.

Sago Thu 02-Jul-26 10:40:57

It should have been part of the risk assessment.