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Ideas for testing little people

82 replies

ndo4000 · 17/12/2021 17:45

Waiting for a PCR test for my DD3. Anyone got ideas about how to actually swab a 3 year old?!? I tried to do a LFT and she wasn't having any of it!!

Any suggestions welcome!

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 18/12/2021 00:48

It's utterly wrong to pin a child down to do anything other than immediate emergency life saving treatment.

I disagree with this and I think most people would. Sometimes a nappy needs to be changed, cream applied, medicine given, vaccinations given. None of that is life-saving, but all essential for the child to be healthy.

AnotherMansCause · 18/12/2021 01:08

I had to do DD's PCR the other day, I could only do nostrils. I didn't think it would be enough but I tried my best, I made her laugh by pointing out that it was much smaller than her finger which we've definitely witnessed up her nose on many occasions.

Turns out the sample was enough for a result. She's positive. No symptoms yet though. Hopefully stay that way.

Hmmweird · 18/12/2021 01:27

I give the swab to my 4 yo so she does it herself. Only nose though

Iliketeaagain · 18/12/2021 15:57

Goodness - I teach my children about body autonomy, but if my 4 yo had true body autonomy, she'd eat chocolate for every meal, followed by ice cream for pudding and the occasional cracker or soreen for a snack.

Sometimes, you have to do something which is for more than emergency / lifesaving treatment, some times you make a best interest decision balancing up what's needed to keep your child and your family safe and well. I pinned her down for her pre-school vaccinations too, she didn't get a choice in those.

Of course I'd keep my sick child at home, but not for 10 days and since the current guidance is if you have a symptom of covid you should isolate for 10 days, I reckon a bit of cajoling to get a pcr test is probably better for her than not being allowed to leave the house for 10 days. And it's probably better for her to have a roof over her head and food on the table than one of us end up losing their job to be at home with a not unwell child for 10 days every time they get a temperature during autumn and winter.

It's also about teaching that with rights, come responsibilities and consequences of decisions - yes you have the right to absolute body autonomy if you don't want to test, but with that comes the consequence of being legally required to isolate if you have symptoms. With sunscreen - ok you don't want it on, but it means you have to sit in the shade all day while your friends have fun.

It's not cajoling, it's making best interest decisions for small children who don't have the ability to give informed consent or understand the potential consequence of not being tested.

elliejjtiny · 18/12/2021 16:04

My dc are ok with covid testing but I have had to pin my dc down for blood tests, immunisations and general anaesthetics. Everyone who is struggling with covid testing, you all have my upmost sympathy. My relative has given up and just accepted that when their dc have a cold they will have to isolate for 10 days each time.

ndo4000 · 18/12/2021 16:48

You'll be pleased to know that a combo of my rhyme, bribery with chocolate, and having the tv on at the same time worked wonders.

I can't guarantee that I taught my daughter anything about body autonomy but I definitely got the job done!

OP posts:
Notoironing · 21/12/2021 19:05

Good news and well done for persevering!

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