AIBU to think a 6 year old is too young to be forced to where a mask?

[Meadow1203]

This is now the law [in France] edited by MNHQ for clarity. I think this could be very frightening for a small child.

Where is this the law? I thought under 11s didn't have to?

Kids are amazing at adapting to new things. They'll get used to it really fast and be fine.

Where are you?
Where is it the law?

I know in some countries young children are expected to wear masks, including at school. Most seem to be fine with it, though I imagine it can be difficult for some.

Are there no exemptions?

My 3 and 5 year olds wear them, no problem. It isn't scary at all.

Do you have a link?

Under 11s don't have to wear masks. My 6 year old has a Superman one which he sometimes wears, just to be like mummy. To him it's just a bit of fun, and he doesn't wear it alot.

Where is it law? In the UK?
Do they have to wear them somewhere they have to be (hospital, school). If it is just shops or whatever, parents can choose whether to take them.
The majority of children won't be distressed by this, are the minority covered by a get out clause?

I am in France and will be law as of tomorrow.

I think it's in France.

Get small sized , kid friendly ones. Plenty available. The more fuss you make the more fuss your child will make.

Well where I live it’s been mandatory for over 2s since April. My 4 year old and my 8 year old have been at summer camp and then at school in masks from June. They seem to manage just fine. (They have mask free zones and mask breaks). In fact they have been playing outside with masks on since our playgrounds opened at the end of May. They are neither frightened nor traumatised.

Cross-posted with Meadow. However, according to some of the posts on the Mark Drakeford thread, unless you live in France or are French you are not allowed to comment, so everyone who doesn't fall into those two categories, away from this thread.

My 3 year old can wear one with no issues. Unless the child has SEN I don’t have a problem with it.

Kids are adaptable.
Dont make it big desl
Get fun masks

Are you in France?

I hope they get mask breaks. My kids wear them no bother but only for an hour or so. Never had to do a full day. I need to take mine off for a break regularly or I get headaches.

Cross posted.

Probably only frightening if the parents make it that way.

Kids can see nearly everyone else wearing masks, so I doubt most would be too bothered.

@viques

Get small sized , kid friendly ones. Plenty available. The more fuss you make the more fuss your child will make.

This. Honestly kids will take lead from their parents. If you don't make a fuss they will not see it as a big deal. My DD7 has been wearing one since March. Why? Because I work in the hospital and she sees me and her dad wearing one in public so thinks nothing of it. Just get on with it.

Kids have been fine and happy to go along with it, it’s only adults so seem to limit what dc will and won’t do. I’d your dc refused to wear a seat belt you’d find a way to get them to wear it.

It is over 2 where I live.
Kids are adaptable for the most part.
DS has sensory issues and hated it at first, now he wears one for a whole school day without noticing.

Haven't over 5's had to wear them in Scotland since June?

It's fine. If you make it seem normal, they'll be fine. Children take the lead from their parents. You can get loads of child-friendly "fun" patterns - dinosaurs, unicorns, cars - whatever. They're only a couple of pounds off eBay.

Frightening? guess they’ll never wear a halloween mask 🙄
It’s only upsetting if you the parent makes a fuss.

@viques

Get small sized , kid friendly ones. Plenty available. The more fuss you make the more fuss your child will make.

Absolutely this with bells! If you're this much of a drama llama in front of your dc, then, yes it will be shit for them. There are lots of cute child friendly ones around and mask wearing is hardly a shocker for them anymore

It’s only frightening if the parents make it that way.

^^ This with bells on!

So, do you want your child to be scared? Yes? Well then make a huge fuss and tell them how awful and terrible and terrifying a soft, protective piece of material is that half the world is wearing, go on, please do.

But don’t then whine about it afterwards, because it really is the parents own responsibility for creating this hyped up sense of fear around it!

Sorry not very sympathize, I would have sounded more patient the first time I’d heard this attitude, it’s somewhat wearing!

It’s very weird how happy people are for their kids to wear masks. I’m just glad we are in England so mine don’t have to wear one as all under 11. I won’t be making it “the norm” for my children.