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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:
GreenSlide · 23/02/2021 16:25

YANBU children should not have to do this.

SplendidSuns1000 · 23/02/2021 16:26

Could you speak to his class teacher and see if he could get some masks breaks to chew and soothe his sensory needs? He could be taken to stand outdoors for a minute or two to take his mask off, chew on his jewellery and then come back in? I'm sure they'd be able to facilitate that and would rather do that than have him not wear a mask.

itsgettingwierd · 23/02/2021 16:26

But he really cannot tolerate a mask due to his sensory issues put a chewy chew on a sunflower lanyard - job done Wink

PopUpName · 23/02/2021 16:27

Children in our school (not UK) wear masks all day from age 6. They are absolutely fine.

Why some parents need to turn it into a 'never ever will my child wear a mask!' thing, I really do not get. It is not in any way a big deal.

OP, let him try the mask at school and see how he gets on. If it's a no-go because of his sensory issues, so be it. Exceptions sometimes need to be made, and I am sure your school will understand.

But go in with a positive attitude rather than an assumption that it won't work out. Let your son pick up on your positivity.

OverTheRubicon · 23/02/2021 16:27

My 5 year old is miserable about going back to school and hates masks, she's also incredibly fidgety, so even if she wears one (which she does in shops etc), she's perpetually adjusting it and rubbing her face.

Isn't there a fair bit of evidence that fabric masks work, but only to some degree and only if worn perfectly? Can't see how masks shoved in and out of pockets, fiddled around with and likely reworn for days at a time are going to do anyone much good.

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 23/02/2021 16:30

I think it's ridiculous schools making 5 year olds wear masks.

dementedpixie · 23/02/2021 16:30

@midnightstar66

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
They don't wear masks in school
midnightstar66 · 23/02/2021 16:35

No they don't have to wear them in school - but some do. But OP's son is only being asked to wear it on toilet trips and when leaving and arriving. The requirements here for dc to wear them on public transport and shops etc are potentially/likely for longer periods. The actual specific place is irrelevant, many are wearing them daily with no issues

Ilovefriday · 23/02/2021 16:41

I've only had a click scan through so sorry if this isn't relevant or has already been suggested but but would these chewable masks help at allwww.etsy.com/uk/listing/835824340/sensory-chew-masks-autism-anxiety?variation1=1490918127.

Whatnameisgood · 23/02/2021 16:42

Does no one find this horrifying? 5 year olds in masks? What are the chances of them remembering at all the correct times? This is so fucked up...

nestlestealswater · 23/02/2021 16:44

We're in a country where children have to wear masks to school. I have a five year old with ASD and huge sensory issues. I hate that he has to wear a mask all day.

Just to give you a bit of hope though, although it took a lot of getting used to and we had to build up to it slowly, he has, to my great surprise, been okay. Yes, he will be so much more comfortable when all this is over, but it hasn't caused the huge issues that I was fearing. Just a tip, I stayed very neutral, almost bored about the issue in front of him to help it not become an issue and I think that helped.

Original poster
Jumpers268 · 23/02/2021 16:45

So many comments, wow! I really wasn't trying to start a debate on masks, I guess I just didn't expect it as Boris said only secondary school children would need to wear masks at school. Again, I'm not criticising the school!

I'm on my phone so difficult to reply individually! @G5000 my son would also prefer to wear a mask and go to school and he's 5. I would also prefer it but I guess I'd have expected it more if it was government advice and/or all primary schools were doing the same. If that makes sense?

@SoCrimeaRiver I asked about a shield type thing instead but the head teacher said it had to be a mask.

@itsgettingwierd yes a few posters recommended that. Not sure why I hadn't even considered it.

@IndecentFeminist unfortunately his are. I can't obviously post the schools name though.

@SplendidSuns1000 I can definitely do that! His teacher is great so I'm sure she'll help in any way she can. It was more that the head has stated that if they're not wearing a mask they can't come into school. So I got worried I'd get a phone call saying he keeps chewing it he can't be in school? Probably irrational I know.

OP posts:
midnightstar66 · 23/02/2021 16:45

Well they'll be promoted.. miss can I go to the toilet? yes remember your mask. Line up to go home - sanitise a dc's hands and prompt to put on mask, dc arrive wearing mask reminded by parent also wearing one. Same as I remind dd to put hers on before we enter a shop etc

MrBullinaChinaShop · 23/02/2021 16:46

@midnightstar66

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
Not at school, they haven’t. And there are exemptions for children like the OP’s, with sensory issues and potential ASD
midnightstar66 · 23/02/2021 16:47

*prompted obviously not promoted

Original poster
Jumpers268 · 23/02/2021 16:47

@Ilovefriday I had no idea that was even a thing! Thank you, I'll have a look.

@nestlestealswater that's really helpful. I've been working today so thankfully he's not really seen my little panic Wink. He's not fussed at all with me wearing a mask as obviously he's gotten used to that. Great tip though! Thank you Smile.

OP posts:
ItsSnowJokes · 23/02/2021 16:52

@Fastestbrownie

Your son is five, not two. There are 5 year olds out there dancing full dance routines, acting in films, playing piano pieces, caring for sibilings, doing housework. I think he will survive wearing a piece of fabric over his mouth. He is not incompetent.
What a twat you are.
nestlestealswater · 23/02/2021 16:52

@Jumpers268 yep, I think it's totally over the top and will cause more problems than it solves (wet dribbly masks being fiddled with constantly) and it makes me feel so sad to see them masked up! But as far as DS is concerned, I have no opinion at all and I am really rather bored by the issue Grin good luck with it!

oakleaffy · 23/02/2021 16:53

Can one not buy something like bitter aloes to stop compulsive chewing?
It works with teething pups so they don’t gnaw wooden furniture.
Harmless but just tastes rank.

drspouse · 23/02/2021 16:57

It seems really counterproductive - I imagine with 1:1 parent supervision children going into shops etc CAN wear masks safely but they are very unlikely to be able to put them on properly themselves and may end up just spreading more germs from their mouths everywhere.

AcrossthePond55 · 23/02/2021 16:58

@Jumpers268

Happy to have helped and I hope the chewy under the mask works for him and the school.

I think it's great that you are so willing to find a compromise solution that works for DS and for the school rather than just flat out refuse to even try. You're a great mum and this will be a teaching moment for your son that we often have to find a way to work together even if at first we think we can't.

drspouse · 23/02/2021 16:59

@oakleaffy

Can one not buy something like bitter aloes to stop compulsive chewing? It works with teething pups so they don’t gnaw wooden furniture. Harmless but just tastes rank.
I have a chewer and he'd have to have this on every piece of clothing he wore plus all blankets/muslins/teddies. I don't think it's likely to stay on fabric even if we could put it on every piece of fabric he's likely to encounter in a day.
drspouse · 23/02/2021 17:04

By the way we have got him down to a lot less chewing by:
Noticing when he chewed - mainly when watching TV or doing something that involves concentration especially playing games on his tablet.
Telling him he had to have a chewy all those times (he prefers to chew clothes but we gave him one, noticed if he was chewing that and praised him for that)
But as the chewy is not his preferred thing to chew, he had then broken the habit a little.
This has taken about 6 weeks so it's not impossible!

oakleaffy · 23/02/2021 17:25

@drspouse
I didn’t know human chewers could be that bad!😂
Puppy Anti Chew Spray worked on wood .
Went to school with a chewer, his jumpers were sodden and full of holes, and his poor lips were chapped from all the saliva particularly in wintertime.

drspouse · 23/02/2021 17:26

My DS chewed through a brand new, not cheap, t-shirt in 1 day.