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

[Mummypig2020]

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.

I think it isnt bad to not mask your 4 year old if you think they cannot control themselves.

However, I think traipsing them round supermarkets etc unmasked (not saying that you would) when the new law comes in would be poor form.

“ its more to save us getting verbally abused”

Horrifying that this even a concern, I’m sorry

No, you are not a bad parent.
Mine won’t be wearing masks. We don’t use public transport however and they haven’t been in a shop since March as I’ve seen kids being tutted and glared at by others at my local supermarket when they’ve been behaving perfectly nicely, as though just their presence as filthy little disease vectors is putting others at risk. So I won’t put mine through that.
I’m certainly not going to be making them wear masks outside.

Tbh the judgement is water off a duck’s back when you’re the parent of small children. Many people didn’t like them (and their mothers too) in public before coronavirus and now they’re confident enough to show it under the guise of being concerned about transmission. Fortunately they are balanced out by the kind people who say normal things like “it’s so lovely to see children enjoying the playgrounds again”

@Genua

Tbh the judgement is water off a duck’s back when you’re the parent of small children. Many people didn’t like them (and their mothers too) in public before coronavirus and now they’re confident enough to show it under the guise of being concerned about transmission. Fortunately they are balanced out by the kind people who say normal things like “it’s so lovely to see children enjoying the playgrounds again”

Oh yes I know that Genua, I have three under 7 so subject to plenty of judgement for my children just existing! The sad thing about all this is that children haters have had (in their eyes) legitimate cause to shout for children to be neither seen nor heard.

@commentatorz I think it’s exactly this attitude that is worrying; some parents have absolutely no choice but to “traipse” their children around the supermarket as they have zero other option. It’s a sad day when single mothers etc are considered “poor form” simply because of their circumstances.

Nope I don’t want to put my 4 year old in one either. It’s weird enough for kids in this ‘new normal’ (fucking awful phrase) without me putting a mask on him. I couldn’t give a toss what other people think and like a PP I don’t like to see them on young kids either. I am trying my very best to limit the effect COVID and the restrictions are having on his life.

I am in a country where masks are mandatory out of the house except those younger than 2 and those who have health exemption. Anecdotally I would say 85-90% comply, even children (I have 3 and 6 year old). Face shields are another option - perhaps second best but better than nothing. I think it is a matter of getting used to for most people - though for some of the population they are not able.

No. I have a 1 and 4 year old. The 4 year old would wear one but I won't be asking them to. Not a chance would I do that to my children and I couldn't care less what looks I get (although I can't imagine anyone in my area would do it to their children as no one has followed a single rule really since this has all started), but I wouldn't worry if they did

Under 5’s are exempt.

@WeveGottaGetTherouxThis single parents (dads can be single parents too!) who need to take children to supermarket have a number of options:

a) do shopping online
b) teach their kids to wear a mask
c) click and collect
d) get others to do shopping.

This really isn't rocket science, but people need to stop with the selfishness.

@commentatorz I'm a single parent and I don't shop online as I like to choose my items myself, and I'm certainly not going to get someone else to do my shopping for me when I'm perfectly capable of doing it myself. Children under 11 are not required to wear a mask, so I'm not going to make mine. That's it. You have no right to police others.

No your not. I feel very sad seeing young kids wearing masks.

Mask are a political move. There is no science for healthy people wearing them. You're more likely to damage your child's mental health by masking them.

Don't involve your kids in this political madness. If they're ill keep them home.

@Alabamawhirly1 I feel strongly about the mental health thing too. I’m 35 and they are not great for my mental health so I definitely worry about what they are doing to kids

@commentatorz people need to stop with the selfishness.

Yes that applies to you too.

[quote commentatorz]@WeveGottaGetTherouxThis single parents (dads can be single parents too!) who need to take children to supermarket have a number of options:

a) do shopping online
b) teach their kids to wear a mask
c) click and collect
d) get others to do shopping.

This really isn't rocket science, but people need to stop with the selfishness.[/quote]
If you want them to be mandated for all children, lobby your MP. Otherwise, people are acting perfectly within the law and it’s none of your business to police.

My children are happy to wear masks, it doesn't trigger ds2's asthma so they wear them. I think of it like vaccines, the majority have them so those who can't are more protected.

I've very little faith in the government guidelines being in any way based on evidence based science at this point. They seem to make decisions based on convenience.

I'm not policing anyone, read up on the thread. Oh but by the way, freedom works both ways: you're perfectly free to let you kids walk around without masks, and others are perfectly free to call you out in public for doing so.

@commentatorz

I'm not policing anyone, read up on the thread. Oh but by the way, freedom works both ways: you're perfectly free to let you kids walk around without masks, and others are perfectly free to call you out in public for doing so.

You can, but as I would be acting perfectly within the law I’d completely ignore you. Anyone who ‘calls out’ kids in public is an arsehole who is not worth a second of my headspace to be honest.

@commentatorz but people have no right to call out people when masks do not have to be worn by under 11s re the official guidelines. You have no leg to stand on.

And anyone who "calls out" someone in public is a dick anyway when there are all sorts of reasons someone can't wear a mask. Nothing worse than people who get off on being busybodies.

With all due respect I completely disagree. Where people are inflicting harm on others it is a matter of civic duty to speak out. I view it similarly to passive smoking or antisocial behaviour.

You might not like it, but as you correctly pointed out, you have no right to police others who are acting completely within the law.

‘Calling out in public’

Ffs! There is a new mask stasi

It’s not for you to police the behaviours of people acting within the law.

(It’s not actually within the remit of the police to enforce mask wearing either - things that make you go hmmmm!?!?!)

Thank the gods for those showing common sense on this thread.

Kids do not have to wear masks. If you want to risk your child’s health by allowing them to wear a mask for hours that’s up to you. Likewise if you are fearful for your own health maintain good hygiene and keep a distance.

“Call out”

Blimey, just listen to yourself

Kids not wearing masks is not inflicting harm on others. People are acting hysterically to be honest.