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Original poster

Five year old won't get a test

22 replies

Nessalina · 10/10/2020 11:14

Any tips or advice? My five year old refuses to be tested. He has a fever, but is otherwise ok, just crabby. No snot, no cough.
We've been twice, and he just clamps his mouth shut and covers his nose! It's incredibly frustrating. Me and DH have both tried, and we brought a swab home to practise, but he's not having any of it.
I'm already off work self isolating, and we're in a high risk area, so DS will need to isolate along with the rest of the family, which means two weeks of disruption.
I'm so annoyed with him, but I can't make him. Anyone got any experience with this?

OP posts:
OpheliasCrayon · 10/10/2020 11:17

Ahhh it's so hard isn't it. My 5 year old has had one and it was a nightmare and I'm fully prepared that she will be worse the next time when it's needed as she knows she hates it.

Can you reason with him at all that if he has it he can go back to seeing his friends sooner ? Maybe not at 4

Bribary? Sweets, chocolate, ice cream...anything he would like after?

Tv whilst doing it to distract?

Honestly I'm sure you've tried all this - so have some solidarity instead.!

I just tested my 2 year old this week and oddly that was easier than the older one! Maybe because she doesn't know what's coming....

LittleRa · 10/10/2020 11:23

My DD is 6 and so far has not had any symptoms which I’m so so pleased about as I am dreading ever having to take her for a test- having had to pin her down screaming to get eye drops at the opticians! I don’t think bribery of sweets etc would make any difference because like with the eye drops she knows she needs them and she WANTS to get them but at the last minute flinches away like an involuntary response, and then gets upset and it’s a downward spiral. My sympathies!

OpheliasCrayon · 10/10/2020 11:31

@LittleRa

My DD is 6 and so far has not had any symptoms which I’m so so pleased about as I am dreading ever having to take her for a test- having had to pin her down screaming to get eye drops at the opticians! I don’t think bribery of sweets etc would make any difference because like with the eye drops she knows she needs them and she WANTS to get them but at the last minute flinches away like an involuntary response, and then gets upset and it’s a downward spiral. My sympathies!
Thats it isn't it - reflex reaction no matter what you suggest they can have after.

I found it very tricky with my older one because I couldn't hold her down (sounds so bad doesn't it !!) And then I needed both hands to do the swab so I was at the mercy of her batting me away.

With my little one she's absolutely tiny so I could hold her enough in my arm while leaving both my hands free (ish) to do the test

I'm so sorry you're in this position!!!

whatsleep · 10/10/2020 11:36

Is he a deep sleeper? You might be able to get a nose swab while he’s asleep. Just make sure someone holds his head incase he jolts forward. Does he get drowsy from calpol? This might help too 🤷‍♀️

Cornettoninja · 10/10/2020 11:36

Could you let him try on you with another swab/substitute?

My four year old was fairly easily convinced with the idea the bogey doctor needed to test her bogies and let me do her throat and nose with very little resistance.

There are some pretty good cartoons and songs on YouTube about corona, hand washing, masks etc. It might be worth a look. Pink fong (baby shark bastards) have been pretty quick with their stuff.

shellysheridan · 10/10/2020 11:47

My 7 year old only had to have the swab up his nose. Would he consider just that?

If he won't be persuaded with chocolate buttons or a new toy or something then I'd tell him that you'll have to hold him down to do it and you really don't want to but it's important to find out if he has Covid to keep him and everyone else safe.

And if he still doesn't repent and take the nice options of sweets and toys then I'd hold him down and explain it's important

shellysheridan · 10/10/2020 11:48

*Relent!!

ThisTooShallPass20 · 10/10/2020 11:56

I've tested my 5 year old now twice. I explained to her before hand that I will tickle inside of her throath and nostril with the swap. I said it won't hurt but will feel odd and she might feel like pushing me back but try to stay still. I did the test first for my self to show how it's done. She was watching Ipad while I did hers and got some chocolate right after. She was absolutely fine. We had to test her again this week when she developed a new cough. This time she asked herself can we go to have the test done right way so she could go to school.

mrshoho · 10/10/2020 11:59

Could you do the home test and wait til he's sleeping and just do the nostrils?

OpheliasCrayon · 10/10/2020 12:10

@shellysheridan

*Relent!!
Repent!!!!! That's up there with funniest typos ever 😂
Slightlybrwnbanana · 10/10/2020 12:13

A video of a brave boy or girl around his age or slightly older could be a motivator.

Slightlybrwnbanana · 10/10/2020 12:13

(Ie bravely doing the test!)

Planty13 · 10/10/2020 12:15

My seven year old would not test. It was a horrific experience tbh. If he got symptoms we would all have to isolate for two weeks (again) it makes life incredibly difficult

Original poster
Nessalina · 10/10/2020 14:17

Thanks guys, some great ideas here.

I have tried bribes, chocolate, Lego cards etc. Also threats - he's on a tablet and biscuit ban!!

@OpheliasCrayon He's not loving school at the moment, yr1 is very big and new and he's started saying he misses me, so I'm a bit worried that being at home is an incentive for him to not do it!! I bet my 3yr old DD would open her mouth like a lamb - so trusting!! 

@whatsleep It's an idea... he does sleep deeply!

@Cornettoninja Love the bogey doctor!!

@shellysheridan It's the nose that's more of a problem actually  Though he won't let me do either!

@Slightlybrwnbanana Brave role model plan could work!!

We've ordered a home test, so we'll keep working on the motivations, and then possibly resort to the sleep plan. DH is happy to pin him down! Feels bad though, I don't like the idea. But it is important!!

OP posts:
Sunflowers247 · 10/10/2020 14:34

Imagine if it was a life threatening situation - you'd probably just 'force' him to do it? Because you know it's in his best interest. In the case of a COVID test, you need to decide how important it is to your family? How would you all cope with self isolation for 14 days?

Slightlybrwnbanana · 10/10/2020 14:35

I suppose in a hospital situation they would be able to sedate a resistant patient. Not sure what the safe equivalent would be for a five year old at home!

Smurf123 · 10/10/2020 14:50

My 2.5 year old just had his 3rd test this morning - 3 tests in 6 weeks 😔 we were told just to do nostrils for their age as near impossible to do throat without touching their tongue or roof of mouth.
It does take 2 adults and ds strapped into his car seat - dh hold his arms and I held his head and did swab.. Biscuits and iPad reward after. Ds doesn't understand it has to be done or why but he stopped crying as soon as he saw the biscuits come out after so while annoyed during it wasn't particularly traumatised.
1st time he had a cold and with it a cough
2nd time he had croup and was prescribed steroids but told to get tested just in case
This time I think is due to him having had his flu vaccine on wed afternoon and then a temp of 37.9 at nursery yesterday - temp has been normal every time I've checked at home but he's not allowed back without a negative result.
We are key workers so can't isolate for 14 days but really hope the poor child doesn't need anymore tests! Good luck

Soubriquet · 10/10/2020 14:55

The only thing I can think of isn’t pleasant

One parent half sits on him and pins down his arms with their legs and holds their head firmly on the floor

Then whilst he’s screaming (because he would be), quickly do the test.

It’s what I had to do when dd needed necessary medication.

Broke my heart everytime but it was something that had to be done

Cornettoninja · 10/10/2020 15:14

@Nessalina - I saw the bogey doctor idea on here so there’s at least two kids it’s worked on.

That CBeebies doctor needs to do a corona episode!

Original poster
Nessalina · 12/10/2020 20:02

Thanks again for your input folks, we did the test today, still no cooperation, so DH held him tight whilst I poked both nostrils. He was very upset, but cheered up when we told him the tablet and biscuit ban was over! Now fingers crossed for a negative result and freedom for the family!!

OP posts:
Cornettoninja · 12/10/2020 20:43

Good luck - hope you get a quick result

MJMG2015 · 12/10/2020 20:52

Grim isn't it. Do you think you were able to go high enough for long enough?

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