I just want to add that if a child is exhibiting fear about that virus or you are finding it hard to explain to them there are plenty of resources out there now to help. My daughter watched the sesame street specials at the beginning of the pandemic, there's "operation ouch" on netflix that did a special, several books and websites as well....like a said before kids adapt very easily but if the adult in their life has a poor attitude about wearing the masks then they will likely mimick that behavior as well. There are studies out there that were done during the summer about mask wearing and exercise as well.

My kiddo is almost 9, so we've just been very open about the science and what is recommended to stay virus free. As we learn more as a world about this virus, we adjust practices. We don't have to be afraid when we go out, but we wear a good quality mask with a filter, we always have hand sanitizer, we stay outdoors, don't go into big crowds. We've shown her the virus trends (our state has an amazing covid website) and how our area has more virus activity than my mom's county, so we adjust what we do here. My mom's county has such low viral activity you don't need to use many precautions.

We just teach facts and her stress level is pretty low. But she's almost 9. I really feel for all you mamas with really little ones who don't understand.

Here in Melbourne when we had to wear mask (we no longer have to wear a mask other than at hospitals, and nursing homes as we haven't had a local covid case in a while now) people under the age of 12 did not have to wear a mask and in people over 12 didn't have to wear them when to PE, or any active activities. I don't believe it is right to make children wear them when doing PE. I am a very bad asthmatic and found it extremely hard to breathe in them especially with the hot weather. I hardly went anywhere in the summer when we had to wear a mask, I was so scared I would have a asthma attack because I couldn't breathe properly.

My kids and me will be wearing masks in public going forward. When they are 18 they can make their own decisions.

This is a total aside, but I was listening to a meditation the other night that was recorded in 2020, and the teacher was talking about the stress of "doomscrolling" on the internet and turning off the computer after reading his 18th article about WHEN and IF a vaccine would be possible.

And I teared up, thinking back to those scary months when there was nothing in sight to protect us besides Purell and a mask. The uncertainty of it all.

My gosh. We've been through a lot! There's so much hope on the horizon compared to all that. <3

Are your little's required to wear masks?!

Obviously I'm in the UK so different laws, but only children aged 11+ are required to wear masks in school here

I want to thank everyone who is having this discussion with me right now. I think it’s need helpful to hear your opinions and how your children are making out and look no one is getting all mad or upset about it. Thanks again for the helpful words ladies!!

Thanks love! I really do try to explain to my children, without fear, that masks are important right now and hopefully we won’t need to wear them much longer and they just need to hold out a little while longer ya know? Thanks for letting me know about the resources available

@massgirl sorry I forgot to tag u

I just want to add that if a child is exhibiting fear about that virus or you are finding it hard to explain to them there are plenty of resources out there now to help. My daughter watched the sesame street specials at the beginning of the pandemic, there's "operation ouch" on netflix that did a special, several books and websites as well....like a said before kids adapt very easily but if the adult in their life has a poor attitude about wearing the masks then they will likely mimick that behavior as well. There are studies out there that were done during the summer about mask wearing and exercise as well.

I think there’s a way to teach about mask wearing and being conscientious towards other’s health without being fearful of germs and touch. But I think that since we didn’t know much about COVID to begin with, it was the right decision to be more cautious over the past year. As we’re learning more, there’s a lot of data pointing to it not being spread by touch and surfaces, just through the air. And that’s where we can start educating kids that we’re just not spreading germs with our mouth by wearing a mask, we’re protecting others.

If my son were in school now, I would prefer my son wear his mask in school and at all activities with his schoolmates. I would not sign him up for any extra curricular that didn’t require masking. He starts kindergarten this next school year and I’m on pins and needles waiting to see what our state it going to do with public schools and masking.

All that being said, I understand there are situations with younger kids and kids with disabilities especially that make wearing a mask challenging. We had to work with our OT to get my son to wear his and it’s also made speech therapy more difficult in some ways. I wish schools had the resources/ability to help families who would like their kids in school but have a hard time with masks due to their disability. Our OT was instrumental in making sure my son was able to be out and about this past year, since if he couldn’t wear his mask he wouldn’t have been allowed anywhere.

Despite his initial resistance, he’s fine with his mask now. It’s just second nature like wearing shoes. He even forgets to take it off when we’re doing eating therapy, which is the only place he’s allowed to be unmasked and is the only one in the room that is unmasked.

Probably 15-20% wear masks here anymore. The kids in our very small town are always walking around and at school with no masks. Have been since Tx removed the mandate...we wear ours in stores but when he goes to school this fall I bet he doesn't....

My kiddo is almost 9, so we've just been very open about the science and what is recommended to stay virus free. As we learn more as a world about this virus, we adjust practices. We don't have to be afraid when we go out, but we wear a good quality mask with a filter, we always have hand sanitizer, we stay outdoors, don't go into big crowds. We've shown her the virus trends (our state has an amazing covid website) and how our area has more virus activity than my mom's county, so we adjust what we do here. My mom's county has such low viral activity you don't need to use many precautions.

We just teach facts and her stress level is pretty low. But she's almost 9. I really feel for all you mamas with really little ones who don't understand.

Kids spread germs...kids also adapt very easily. Obviously we're not straight up teaching our children that physical touch is dangerous in normal settings but right now it is. Things have been improving but we were in a pandemic. I think parents have forgotten that it will be way more traumatic to know that a friend, teacher, coach, teammate, parent or whoever died from covid-19 than wearing a mask for five hours or whatever.

I'm definitely all for wearing masks everywhere and anywhere. I definitely get what you're saying though. However, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Masks have proved to be effective. And I've personally seen less transmission of illnesses due to mask wearing. My neighbor is a pediatric nurse and she's told me multiple times that their office is practically empty since the pandemic started (all thanks to mask wearing). My son wears a mask to school and they have explained to the students several times that they are wearing masks due to covid and when things do get back to normal (whenever that is) they will no longer be required to wear masks. I think it's important for schools to stress the fact that they're wearing masks due to covid. I know it's difficult for the younger kids to understand but this too shall pass.

My son doesn't mind masks he never complains when he has to wear it and I think before covid if kids wore mask in school during flu season that more kids would stay healthy. My son has struggled since birth with all respiratory illnesses and we always end up in the hospital and now with mask for the younger kids less kids are missing school because germs are not being passed as much.

my son JUST brought this to my attention yesterday, he came home saying he sometimes didn't like playing at recess cause he has to wear his mask. I don't feel that that is okay so I messaged his teacher about it. I don't feel like they should have to wear the masks outside especially since it's getting hotter it probably makes it so much harder for them to breathe

Playing and sports, nope I dont feel that's right, IF its a requirement that they wear a mask during this activites, then activities shouldn't be taking place at all. I think that's too much stress on their breathing.

Now wearing them in general is different, we are teaching them not to fear things, but to care for others and themselves during this time, its a percaution, as simple as washing your hands.