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Original poster

Do your little ones wear masks?

142 replies

Heartofstrings · 31/03/2021 11:21

Just curious. We went to the test centre on Monday. My 3 year old was wearing a mask - as were me and my husband. They asked us to mask the 4 year old too. Naturally, he refused (possible asd, sensory issues).

Covid negative. Awesome. Local diy shop today. Again unmasked 4 year old and masked 3 year old. Should I be trying to force the 4 year old? I feel he should be wearing a mask

OP posts:
Inaquandry19 · 31/03/2021 12:17

Mine does not. 5 (in Scotland) diagnosed autistic. Please do not force a child with sensory issues to wear a mask. Some autistic people can tolerate one, some cannot.

Mamamamasaurus · 31/03/2021 12:18

My DC4 and 6 do, but I've made some rainbow / digger / princess ones so they see it as a novelty. I wouldn't ever force them to wear one but they ask if they can (when we occasionally have to take them in shops, I try to shop when they're at school)

SixDegrees · 31/03/2021 12:27

My DC are aged between 9 and 4, and we’ve been getting them to put masks on in shops etc since it became mandatory for adults to wear them inside.

Having said that, it isn’t mandatory for children to wear them here (England), so if one of my DC had sensory issues that made wearing a mask difficult, I wouldn’t be forcing them to wear them.

99victoria · 31/03/2021 12:40

My grandchildren aged 5 and 3 don't wear them - thank god! Bad enough we cant see adult faces out and about, imagine not being able to see those cute little cheeky faces which so often raise a smile when we're out and about!

Remmy123 · 31/03/2021 12:41

No way

LaBellina · 31/03/2021 12:41

I think once they have grown out of the toddler stage it would be reasonable to expect children to wear a mask too.

LaBellina · 31/03/2021 12:44

By the way mine is nearly 2 years old and I see kids of his age and slightly older ones wearing masks now and then but DS refuses to even keep wearing a sunhat for more then 30 seconds. If he was over 4 years old, I would definitely encourage him to wear one but under the age of 4 is too young IMO.

Mylittlepony374 · 31/03/2021 12:45

My 4 year old wanted one when it first became mandatory for adults. She really wanted to be like the big kids. So I let her but I was really uncomfortable seeing her wear it, it felt wrong. Luckily she doesnt ask anymore. So no, I wouldn't make a 4 year old wear one. I would take my child un masked to a shop.

cripez · 31/03/2021 12:45

No way would I be encouraging any child under 11 to wear one.

My 6yo can't (autistic)
My 2yo is two, no fucking way

homesickinscotland · 31/03/2021 12:46

I live in Scotland where my 6 year old would have to wear one if we went anywhere they are required. We've simply solved the problem by not going to any of these places. I struggle with them too so not going to force her into one unnecessarily.

cripez · 31/03/2021 12:46

WHO advice:

Children aged 5 years and under should not be required to wear masks. This is based on the safety and overall interest of the child and the capacity to appropriately use a mask with minimal assistance.

OverTheRainbow88 · 31/03/2021 12:50

No, wouldn’t even cross my mind and I’ve not seen any other primary school and pre schoolers wearing masks. Also took child to children’s hospital and no one suggested he wear a mask.

mumwalk · 31/03/2021 12:54

I try not to take my primary age children anywhere e.g. shops etc. where they are expected to wear a mask, but they all wear one if we have to travel by public transport. They don't seem to mind and they understand that they are doing it in order to protect other people.

Eileen101 · 31/03/2021 12:56

No, not a chance would i put one on my three year old. He's also been to several hospital appointments and it's never even been suggested. He comes into Tesco with me, maybe once a week, sometimes less often and no one has ever said anything. I saw an acquaintance put a mask on her three year old to pop into a shop for a drink and was surprised.
My nieces, 9 and 6 do sometimes.

mumwalk · 31/03/2021 12:56

We are in Scotland so age 5+ are advised to wear masks. We wore them on a visit to our local hospital, and all other children in that age group were doing the same.

KurtWilde · 31/03/2021 12:57

Absolutely not. Nor would I go anywhere that wanted me to 'encourage' my very small child to wear one.

NearlyAlwaysInsane · 31/03/2021 12:57

My DDs (3 and 5.5) don't wear them, and we have never been asked to make them wear them. If asked, I would politely tell the person where to stick it - or that they can do my shopping for me if they like, while I sit outside and have a coffee.

daffodilsandprimroses · 31/03/2021 12:58

No, and I don’t really think adults working with young children should have to either.

idontlikealdi · 31/03/2021 12:59

WHere are you?

It's under 11 here. My 10 yos do but if they were young, no they wouldn't.

Anon778833 · 31/03/2021 12:59

Young children wearing masks is vile. I’d never do this.

Anon778833 · 31/03/2021 13:00

@daffodilsandprimroses

No, and I don’t really think adults working with young children should have to either.
Agreed. How on earth can they hear what they’re saying?
x2boys · 31/03/2021 13:00

No ,I have a nearly eleven year old who has severe autism and learning disabilities,non verbal etc ,he just won't wear a mask ,has no clue we are even in a pandemic .

bloodywhitecat · 31/03/2021 13:04

@ShteakandShpuds

No, but don't take (unmasked) kids into the shop with you.
Maybe I should just leave him outside in his buggy then, that should go down well with social services.
Beebityboo · 31/03/2021 13:05

My 5YO wears one in the shop or the bus but she asks to because everyone else is, I never make her feel as though she has to.

hollydays7 · 31/03/2021 13:09

I'm not in this situation but not in a million years would I be forcing my young children to wear masks.