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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my 5 year old shouldn't have to wear a face mask in school?

166 replies

Jumpers268 · 23/02/2021 15:35

Head teacher has stated all children at my son's primary school need to wear face masks when arriving & leaving school and going around the school building (toilet, library etc).

I'm not anti masks or anything but I posted the other day about my son being a compulsive chewer of his tops (fixed, touch wood, by getting chewelry) and I just can't see him keeping a mask on, not continuously touching it or not chewing it (which surely defeats the whole point in wearing one Confused). The exemption list on the gov website states children under 11 so does that mean his school have to let him in without a mask?

Anyhoo... If you think I'm being unreasonable do you have any tips? Pack 500 masks in his book bag?

Thank you 😊😊.

OP posts:
InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 23/02/2021 16:08

@BeeDavis

Honestly I feel bad for the schools with parents objecting to something before it’s even started!! Why don’t you start getting your son to wear a mask and get him used to it before he goes back to school?!! He’s old enough to do as he’s told and this is perfect example to teach him how to behave.
Did you miss the part about his sensory issue, compulsive chewing and possible ASD?
Original poster
Jumpers268 · 23/02/2021 16:10

@BeeDavis again I've not objected to his school at all! They have a hard enough job as it is and are understandably trying to minimise the risk. It's not a case of teaching my son to behave.

@AcrossthePond55 yes they do adjust! That's a great idea! I'm buying some tomorrow so that's a great thing to try. Thanks so much.

OP posts:
Thebig3 · 23/02/2021 16:10

Is this in England? Just curious as I thought masks were only a requirement in high-school?

Original poster
Jumpers268 · 23/02/2021 16:11

@InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream thank you again Flowers.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 23/02/2021 16:11

@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows

It's a good job you're not in Scotland, 5yo's have had to wear masks there for quite some time.

But some washable ones and pack a few in a wee pencil case. He'll get used to it

5yo do not wear masks in school in Scotland. Only senior pupils at secondary schools need to wear them in class
BlindMedusa · 23/02/2021 16:12

OP could you explain to the school about his issues? You mentioned a lego necklace in a post, is there something he would be allowed to chew on under his mask? I have no idea about the practicality of this, and not all day but when he gets the urge?

Original poster
Jumpers268 · 23/02/2021 16:12

@Thebig3 yes in England. It came as a surprise to me as it's not Government advice for primary school students to wear face masks hence my slight panic today.

Again, I'm not criticising the school!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 23/02/2021 16:14

Speak to the school and tell them about his sensory issues. There should be exemptions for children just as there are for adults.

teachermummy1 · 23/02/2021 16:16

I can't believe people have voted YABU.
My DD is 16 and in sixth form for gods sake and she's going to struggle massively to wear a mask all day. It messes up her breathing (she's mildly asthmatic) and wearing masks for a while make them disgusting.

It's over 5 hours in a mask. I can guarantee that others on here would complain if they had to wear a mask for that long. It's harder to teach in a mask and harder for students to understand and hear.
We could definitely keep schools running without dubiously effective masks.

Original poster
Jumpers268 · 23/02/2021 16:16

@BlindMedusa yes I spoke to his teacher about his Lego necklaces and she said it was a great idea for his sensory chewing and that she was more than happy for him to wear it at school, so I can't see it being an issue for him chewing it under the mask! Just need to get some masks now to practice.

Thanks so much for the helpful tips, and also for the compassion and understanding Smile.

OP posts:
Thebig3 · 23/02/2021 16:16

@Jumpers268 seems a bit pointless to wear around the school. If they are not wearing them at play times, during lessons then what's is the point.

Going against what others have said but I think it is wrong for the school to enforce that when the guidance does not state that they have to. I would be asking why they are going against the advice given by the gov/scientists. Only my opinion though and I'm sure I'll get flamed for saying it!

Original poster
Jumpers268 · 23/02/2021 16:18

@teachermummy1 I'm not surprised by the YABU votes. I completely appreciate, to some, it sounds like I'm being unreasonable. Thank you so much for understanding though 😊.

OP posts:
FoxyTheFox · 23/02/2021 16:19

Honestly I feel bad for the schools with parents objecting to something before it’s even started!! Why don’t you start getting your son to wear a mask and get him used to it before he goes back to school?!! He’s old enough to do as he’s told and this is perfect example to teach him how to behave.

OP hasn't criticised the school.

As for teaching him to do as he's told and how to behave, he isn’t misbehaving, he has sensory issues and possible ASD. Its not naughtiness, you can just tell someone not to have these issues and that they should simply behave.

LST · 23/02/2021 16:19

Don't know why some posters are jumping on you for this op. My 7yo would really struggle to wear a mask all day. I'd send him in with them though and see if the teachers insist on it or not. I couldn't see them lasting a week with my ds

dementedpixie · 23/02/2021 16:19

I dont think his school should be expecting them to wear them either. In Scotland the primary school children don't wear masks. At secondary school all pupils wear them around the corridors and the senior ages (14+) wear them I'm class too.

FoxyTheFox · 23/02/2021 16:20

Can = can't

G5000 · 23/02/2021 16:20

My 5 YEAR OLD wearing a mask over his mouth and nose

As opposed to wearing masks ..what, under the chin?

Masks have been mandatory for all kids over the age of 6 in France for ages. Not just entering and leaving, but all day. And the schools have been open. I know which option my DC prefer.

MisgenderedSwan · 23/02/2021 16:21

Could you try getting something he can chew on a long necklace that he can tuck up under the mask to chew on? That way he can wear it without chewing on the mask. I'm sorry people are being shitty, I hope you find some that your son can cope with. I honestly don't think even half of the class will wear masks effectively anyway without touching, pulling it down, getting it in their eyes or otherwise rendering it ineffective

BlindMedusa · 23/02/2021 16:21

Thats brilliant! So glad he can have something. Perhaps practice in small doses? Mask on whilst you both make a sandwich for dinner? Then mask off. Mask on whilst you run a bath, then mask off. Or during advert breaks whilst watchin tv mask up soon as programme comes back on mask off?

Original poster
Jumpers268 · 23/02/2021 16:21

@Thebig3 I think it's because it gets chaotic at drop off and pick up time and I actually commented that bubbles were not separate last term. I expected that they would stagger it more so there's more of a gap between each bubble but I think that would be obviously more time consuming. I'm just not sure how effective it would be for my son to be wearing one, considering his sensory issues.

OP posts:
Throwntothewolves · 23/02/2021 16:22

JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows that's nonsense for children in Scottish primary schools. It only applies to children over 5 when in shops, public transport and some other public indoor spaces

SoCrimeaRiver · 23/02/2021 16:23

Could you try him with a visor, rather than a mask? He's less likely to chew it (but never say never) and could still access a chew necklace if he's allowed one in school. bit bulky for his book bag though.

itsgettingwierd · 23/02/2021 16:24

I have a son with sensory issues (autism)

If he can tolerate a mask with his sensory issues I'd get a chewy chew to put round his neck. I don't see why he couldn't put that up and under the mask to chew instead of chewing the mask. Can't be any worse than chewing it!

I use 2 IKEA sandwich bags at work. I put clean in one and dirty in another.

I'd suggest changing every hour if he's chewy and dribbly and practice at home and show him how to out on and take off properly.

IndecentFeminist · 23/02/2021 16:25

Bonkers. I know of no primary schools enforcing masks for any students.

midnightstar66 · 23/02/2021 16:25

5 year olds have been wearing masks in Scotland for months, everyone just gets on with it. It's just for short periods not for hours. He'll be fine. If he chews it then so be it, you're doing your best