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Original poster

To not tell child they have covid

65 replies

OverTheRainbow88 · 20/02/2021 12:50

What do people think about not telling younger children they have covid? My son is 4, he’s quite sensitive; I’m sure I could keep him home and occupied for 10 days without him knowing why.

What do others think?

OP posts:
MrBullinaChinaShop · 20/02/2021 19:03

And as for people saying presumably he’s been tested so he’d be aware... have you met a 4 yo??

Yeah I have one, that’s why I said it! She’s had 3 tests and always asked me repeatedly what the results were! Obviously all kids are different but yeah, mine did remember having the test and was interested in the outcome.

NewScone · 20/02/2021 19:04

If you don't tell him while he is ill I think you definitely need to tell him once he is recovered

Peanutbuttercupisyum · 20/02/2021 19:05

We didn’t tell ours, but told them quite a while after.. “don’t worry you’ve already had it and barely noticed!”
With all the news and the schools closed and everything so different because of covid AND the constant sanitising, grown ups in masks, the kids will almost certainly have the idea that it’s way more dangerous for them than it actually is, no matter what we tell them!

LolaSmiles · 20/02/2021 19:19

It he's been tested then he already knows there's a chance and lying might lay foundations for more anxiety later as (if he is black and white) he might decide that you can't be trusted to tell the truth so any reassurances might not feel reassuring.

A PP mentioned being honest but adding that it looks mild and that means it's probably going to be like a mild cold for you. I like that suggestion.

MargosKaftan · 20/02/2021 19:38

I assume he'll be worried because the news has talked daily about how many people are in hospital from covid, or have died of covid and how many people have long term illnesses from it, and kids won't understand that won't happen to them, or their mummy.

I'd tell him its good news - he has covid but its the not very sick type, and he might feel a bit poorly, but he's going to be fine.

Sell it as how lucky you all are to having it mildly.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 20/02/2021 19:51

So she’s my eldest my youngest was born in lockdown. At 2.5 she didn’t question not being at nursery- and went back again in June (only had to isolate once since being back at nursery)- she still sees her cousins as I have a newborn could bubble (no alive grandparents in this country). She went to ballet over the summer and did play dates then, so again didn’t notice.
I think now she’s realised things are closed, asks to go to the swimming pool and I say hopefully soon.

I see neighbours kids around the same age with masks on and never leave to even go to the park and tbh I don’t want that for my child, I don’t think it’s necessary to freak and scare her over a virus that isn’t a risk to her directly.

MrBullinaChinaShop · 20/02/2021 20:02

I see neighbours kids around the same age with masks on and never leave to even go to the park and tbh I don’t want that for my child, I don’t think it’s necessary to freak and scare her over a virus that isn’t a risk to her directly

We go to the park every day, but I’ve explained to my children why others are wearing masks, as they obviously noticed and asked about it.

loretta81 · 21/02/2021 08:23

I honestly think my son was too young to understand the first lockdown. He was 2.5. I think he just thought it was a bit like a long holiday. We told him daddy's office was closed for a while so everyone was working from home. He's been at nursery consistently again since last summer so that hasn't required explanation. My parents and my husband's parents don't live nearby so it obviously has been much longer since he's seen them but it's not as noticeable as if we used to see them each week. We get our shopping delivered each week so he doesn't see me in a mask that often and he's never commented on it. If he ever asks, I just say it's to protect people from catching a cough that's going around. That's it! I don't think I am damaging him in any way. I hope he won't remember it at all. I actually think there's been lots that has been good for him, like having so much time with his dad.

Xerochrysum · 21/02/2021 08:40

Isn't it better for him to know he had it but he was fine, if he is sensitive? He will surely hear about it from somewhere, that there's illness going around. Especially someone in class get it and bubble burst, and children need to SI.

Cloudyrainsham · 21/02/2021 10:40

I wouldn’t tell him. All he needs to know is he’s unwell.

november90 · 21/02/2021 10:47

I don't think there's any problem not telling him if you feel as a parent that it would cause him upset/anxiety.
I really hope he feels better soon ❤️

AIMummy · 21/02/2021 11:06

@Peanutbuttercupisyum

We didn’t tell ours, but told them quite a while after.. “don’t worry you’ve already had it and barely noticed!” With all the news and the schools closed and everything so different because of covid AND the constant sanitising, grown ups in masks, the kids will almost certainly have the idea that it’s way more dangerous for them than it actually is, no matter what we tell them!
Same, I told my eldest a good couple of months after the event. Even if they get it mild I wouldn't want to worry a young child as that might not be the end, e.g. six weeks after getting covid, my 3yr old was in A&E with post covid inflammation symptoms.
intheenddoesitreallymatter · 21/02/2021 11:10

Good God no don't tell him if he'll get upset. Tell him after he's better if you must.

What's the point in him knowing? 'Oh Dear, you've got a very bad cold - let's stay in until we're feeling better.' Rinse and repeat.

'Do I have Covid?'

We haven't been to the doctor's have we?

VoyageInTheDark · 21/02/2021 11:24

My DD is 3.5 and I wouldn't tell her if she had covid, I'd just say she was poorly and that she was staying home to make sure nobody else catches her germs. If she asked later I'd tell her she'd had it and was fine but no need to make them anxious when they've been exposed to all these messages of how dangerous it can be.

raviolidreaming · 21/02/2021 12:09

I'd tell him its good news - he has covid but its the not very sick type, and he might feel a bit poorly, but he's going to be fine.
Sell it as how lucky you all are to having it mildly

I really wouldn't take this approach with an anxious child as it will likely create more questions and anxiety: will it definitely not become the very sick kind?; how poorly might he get?; is it okay for him to fall asleep?; will he give it to his family and will they get very sick? An anxious child doesn't need a way into health anxiety and hypervigilism about symptoms at such a young age.

Personally, I wouldn't tell him he's got covid. He's got a bug so you're staying in.

Hope the 10 days pass quickly.

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