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Original poster

My 7 year old DD is terrified of masks

61 replies

BilboBercow · 14/07/2020 16:34

Not really sure how to deal with this one.
In Scotland so they're mandatory in shops and on public transport.
DD has just recently become terrified of them, not just wearing them but she's also frightened when I, or anyone she knows puts one on, saying it scares her because we don't look like ourselves. It means I, lone parent can't enter a shop now when I'm with her.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

OP posts:
SandieCheeks · 14/07/2020 16:36

I'd wear one lots around the house to get her used to it.

SerenityNowwwww · 14/07/2020 16:37

Maybe get or make some with fancy fabrics or a character print that she likes?

rosiethehen · 14/07/2020 16:40

She's 7. Unless she has additional needs, she should be able to handle this. Building resilience is part of having children.

Viviennemary · 14/07/2020 16:40

They are horrible. However, explain again about germs/viruses and get her to put them on her teddies and dolls if she still has them. And draw people then put masks on them. It's not really a totally irrational fear. Not many folk do like them.

FrugiFan · 14/07/2020 16:43

Maybe she will get used to it as she sees more people wearing them. Look on etsy and find one in a fabric which she likes, you can choose some pretty ones together.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 14/07/2020 16:45

She's 7. I would tell her she will just have to get used to them for now.

Splitsunrise · 14/07/2020 16:48

She’s old enough to need to toughen up about this, really (assuming no AD). She can’t avoid shops etc for the foreseeable. Agree with others about choosing nice patterns, getting her used to them.

ukgift2016 · 14/07/2020 16:54

Under 11 are exempt from wearing face masks.

dementedpixie · 14/07/2020 16:56

Not exempt for under 11s in Scotland, think its under 5s. Although if they can cope with you wearing one I'm sure she could go without

Kaykay066 · 14/07/2020 16:58

No they don’t HAVE to wear one. They just can’t go into any shops or go on public transport without one in Scotland at least.
My youngest son is exempt due to additional needs and asthma but shopping isn’t something he does he’s not interested and I don’t take him to Tesco etc.

But if you need her to be able to go into shops a light scarf she can remove it once you’re out and rewards, positivity and explaining its to keep her and others safe, hard one really isn’t it.

dementedpixie · 14/07/2020 16:59

Or find a nice character one that she likes

Lissy23 · 14/07/2020 16:59

This is how I feel and I’m 31, on the autistic spectrum.

Atadaddicted · 14/07/2020 17:01

Poor thing

Under 5s don’t need to.
She’s close enough
I wouldn’t push it

Original poster
BilboBercow · 14/07/2020 17:20

For those of you saying she's 7 and she'll just have to get used to it, I'm not arguing, that's what I want to happen but she's terrified, so advice other than "just deal with it" would be welcome. She burst into tears and refused to get out of the car yesterday when she saw one of her friends wearing a mask. Trying to force her to put one on her face would result in meltdown, it's a severe phobia.
I've suggested one in a nice fabric but she says no. I've also ordered us the clear visors from Amazon to see if that works.

OP posts:
Original poster
BilboBercow · 14/07/2020 17:24

@Lissy23 I've suspect some SEN for a few years but can't get anywhere with it. She has real problems with her attention span and is very sensitive and prone to anxieties. She's also got lots of special awareness and organisation issues

OP posts:
Vickmo · 14/07/2020 17:29

Would getting some masks for some of her toys work and letting her put them on and off? Trying to make it fun maybe super heros ones? I have asd so sometimes really weird about different textures or new things and first just touching my mask but not putting ir on really helped, then I started wearing it in the house, I really find with new situations building up to something slowly helps me. Could you wear yours around the house and make it fun? Oooh putting on my mask, I feel like a superhero type thing? Just to get her used to it in a less overwhelming environment then a shop

gotothecooler · 14/07/2020 17:32

I thought you were saying she is scared of other people wearing them at first? If it's just her reluctance she really doesn't have to wear one. Mumsnet will be along to day how awful that is and that she should not be exempt but the reality is she can claim exemption and it doesn't tmatter what anyone else thinks

actiongirl1978 · 14/07/2020 17:35

my ds10 is the same. Also worse with handgel.

We have tried everything but he just won't leave the house now.

With the hangel it is the smell and idea of the sensation of it. School were great and let him take his own bubblegum soap and the local pub were fab and let us sit in the garden and go the wrong way via the one way system so he didn't see the hand gel dispenser. However he refuses to go to any shop now.

We have just ordered a swimming nose peg he can wear when we go out for dinner and I am considering finding a dc superhero dressing up costume mask rather than a 'face mask.

I'm not sure how you deal with her saying that she is scared of seeing others wearing them. Do cbbc have any videos about why people are wearing them?

Yetiyoga · 14/07/2020 17:36

it is tricky but unfortunately it is really important. I'd have a really grown up conversation about the importance of wearing them. Maybe find a cartoon on YouTube about them?

Maybe online food shopping for the time being? And wear masks around the house so that she gets used to it.

toomanyplants · 14/07/2020 17:42

I'm fine with making things easier and more child friendly.... but this is something that all children really do have to just deal with!!
It's not going to change for a long time, pandering to this with nose pegs and sitting outside as to avoid hand gel!
Wtf!!!
Masks/gel etc are in use to protect us, to protect them and shouldn't be dressed up as anything other than something that we may not like, but must do
What happens when the children need to visit a healthcare professional?
Will the be asked to remove PPE as not to offend the child?
Good grief.
"You don't need to wear one, but adults do, it's not scary it's keeping you safe"
Full stop.

Original poster
BilboBercow · 14/07/2020 17:45

@gotothecooler it's both unfortunately. She says when she sees people she knows wearing them it feels like they aren't that person anymore. I don't get it but she does have a few little anxieties like that.

OP posts:
Original poster
BilboBercow · 14/07/2020 17:46

Thanks for those of you who have offered advice. I think I'm feeling a wee bit fragile myself today so posting probably wasn't a good idea.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 14/07/2020 17:49

if she tolerates you wearing one then she could go in the shop without it. I saw a few kids without today but the vast majority of adults were wearing them (also Scotland)

dementedpixie · 14/07/2020 17:50

Maybe wear one around the house to try to desensitise her a bit

Namechangex10000 · 14/07/2020 17:52

I’m on the fence here, that’s like saying people are scared of flying or heights or dogs etc etc are ridiculous and should just get on with it, I realise it’s slightlt different in that it’s mandatory but people can’t actuallt help what they’re scared of can they? I’m scared of lady birds, can’t say it’s a choice I make! I get it, I find it a bit creepy as well because people don’t look like themselves and it makes me feel weird!

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