Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Am I bad parent for not putting a mask on my 4 yo?

151 replies

Mummypig2020 · 21/07/2020 13:02

Iv seen SO many young children wearing masks and gloves. Iv decided not to make my Dd wear one. Does this make me a bad parent? I really struggle to wear one.

OP posts:
LovingLola · 21/07/2020 13:03

Would she like to wear one? Get one for her and see how she takes to it.

dementedpixie · 21/07/2020 13:04

it's not compulsory for that age group. She could try one if she wants though

dementedpixie · 21/07/2020 13:05

and gloves are pointless

Twizbe · 21/07/2020 13:05

No, I don't make my 3 year old wear one. I have an 18 month old too and it would be dangerous for her to wear one.

At this age, they are knee height to most people so even if they sneeze inside it's not spreading to other's noses etc. Also they don't have as much force in their sneeze as an adult.

Sirzy · 21/07/2020 13:05

I would try her with one see if she accepts it. If she does great if not it doesn’t matter

THNG5 · 21/07/2020 13:10

I haven't made my nearly 4 year old or nearly 3 year old wear one but then I haven't taken them anywhere that would warrant wearing one. I have purchased 2 children sized cloth ones for them to try on and get used to so that if they do need to wear one for whatever reason (hospital, gp), they are used to it and don't get upset or refuse.

TheSockMonster · 21/07/2020 13:10

Of course not. Young children are exempt from the having to wear them when the law changes and a 4 year old does not tend to be at the right height to cough in people’s faces.

The only time I might try and gently encourage him to wear one is when sitting in a doctor’s surgery, on a train etc. But not if it caused him distress.

You may well find that when the law changes he sees all the big children wearing them and wants one though. DD is 10 but was adamant that the “younger children” category could not possibly include mature young women like her...

Brieminewine · 21/07/2020 13:11

No not at all!

SoPanny · 21/07/2020 13:11

I’m not putting my 4 year old in a mask and until there is a mandate to do so I won’t.

TheSockMonster · 21/07/2020 13:11

Sorry, I see it’s your DD not DS. Not sure where I got that from!

TimeForLunch · 21/07/2020 13:11

Of course not. My 9 year old does not wear one. Under 11s do not need to.

Dinnerfor1 · 21/07/2020 13:18

I would try her with one as she might surprise you. My 5yo dd has been wearing one for months as she’s extremely vulnerable and has a lot of hospital appointments. I was really surprised that she was actually really happy to wear one (think she enjoyed the novelty!) especially now we have some fun patterns. I definitely wouldn’t force her though if she struggles with it.

TeddyIsaHe · 21/07/2020 13:22

I’ve got a kid’s mask for dd, but tbh I have enough difficulty getting her to wear shoes in the morning, I don’t think I’ve got much hope of her wearing a mask. I shall persevere though, in case she has a change of heart!

Ethelfleda · 21/07/2020 13:48

No you aren’t. It’s not compulsory for under 11s anyway.

ellenpartridge · 21/07/2020 13:49

No yanbu. I wouldn't dream of putting one on my three year old. They don't have to wear them under 11.

TorysSuckRevokeArticle50 · 21/07/2020 13:50

No, we got some for 6yo DD because we're wearing them and she likes to do what we do and also to normalise it so she doesn't feel intimidated by them on other people.

Bmidreams · 21/07/2020 13:50

It would be nice if she could.

dementedpixie · 21/07/2020 13:52

I think in Scotland its from age 5. I've seen a few kids with them on (masks already compulsory in shops here)

Genua · 21/07/2020 13:53

Where are you that they’re all wearing them? I haven’t seen a single primary-aged child (or younger) wearing one.

Porcupineinwaiting · 21/07/2020 14:16

No, not a bad parent but please keep him away from people and children who are mask wearing in places like shops.

Quite a lot of children wear them round here, particularly non white children. I guess their families take it all a bit more seriously. But this is in a city that has seen a lot of cases.

TheGreatWave · 21/07/2020 14:32

No not a bad parent at all. I am not making my 8 year old wear one, she hasn't even been presented it as an option.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 21/07/2020 14:38

Nope, I'm not making my 7 year old wear one as under 11s don't have to.

itsureis · 21/07/2020 14:38

I have two children, 6 and 7 and neither have face masks. I don't take them to supermarkets though, nor on public transport so don't feel the need.
Why are the shops are even selling children's face masks anyway ?
They aren't compulsory and are being seen as a fashion accessory for people to make money on (IMO)

emptycup · 21/07/2020 14:40

Under 11's don't need to so no. Neither of mine DC would tolerate them anyway.

Heismyopendoor · 21/07/2020 14:43

No, if they don’t have to wear one then dont. As others have said, little kids are at a different height.

It’s over 5s here in Scotland so mine have all been wearing one. I thought my ASD DS might have objected, but he was happy to wear one which surprised me.

Swipe left for the next trending thread