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What should I do when my child tries to get out of going to school by saying she's sick?
developmental psychologist and educator
Nothing causes parental guilt to kick in faster than a child pleading to stay home with you. Even so, if you're sure that your grade-schooler isn't ill, continue with her normal morning routine. (Be careful not to ask too many leading questions about how she feels, since this will just play into her charade.) If she protests, tell her, "You need to go to school today, just like I need to go to work even when I don't feel like it. But if you're not feeling well we should make sure you get to bed early tonight." Chances are, she'll come around pretty quickly once she hears that.Think about why your grade-schooler is trying to avoid school. Does she have homework she didn't finish? Friends who are suddenly shunning her? Look for patterns: Does she try to beg off school every gym day, for instance? Rather than letting her skip school, talk with her about better ways to address the problem. Of course, everyone can use a day off now and then, so you may also want to consider giving your child one or two "well" days a year — scheduled in advance — so she doesn't feel the need to use the sickness ploy.Another reason for your grade-schooler's plea to stay home could be that she's overscheduled. Although she may not actually be sick, she could be so tired that she feels that way. We all have mornings when we'd prefer to stay in bed, of course. But if this "morning sickness" happens frequently, try scaling back your child's schedule so she has more downtime. Cut back on playdates and other after-school activities or classes, and move her bedtime up a bit to help her squeeze in more rest. You may find that this results in fewer requests to stay home.
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Family therapist Alison Ehara-Brown explains what parents can do if children are disrespectful at school.
Strategies to help your shy child develop friendships, including scheduling playdates.
Encouraging proper behavior at home and in public.
Find out from pediatrician David Geller what you can do to minimize your child's chances of getting sick in school.
Learn who's expected to correct handwriting issues in children and how parents can help.
MOM ANSWER
Learn about various ways ADHD is treated, including medication, therapy, and in-school adjustments.
Family therapist Alison Ehara-Brown's tips for calming your child in the face of frightening news stories.
Psychologist and author Roni Leiderman's tips on teaching your grade-schooler to enjoy good friends without snubbing others.
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* No relationship, sponsorship or affiliation is implied.How can I tell if my child has a cold or something more serious? | BabyCenter
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Establishing good sleep habits can stop baby sleep problems before they start.
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How can I tell if my child has a cold or something more serious?
pediatrician
"Colds" are caused by viruses and are often called URIs (upper respiratory infections) because they infect the nose, ears, and throat but not the lungs (lower respiratory tract). If your child has a , she may have a runny nose with mucus that starts out clear but can turn thick and gray, yellow, or green over seven to ten days. She may also have a headache, sore throat, or cough.Your child may also run a
with a cold and with some minor viruses. With a cold it's likely to be a low-grade fever. With a minor virus it can even climb to 103 degrees Farenheit.If your child has a fever with her cold, you'll notice that when the fever comes down she'll act much less sick than she will if something more serious is going on. A URI may cause your child to be irritable if her nose is stuffy or her throat hurts, but she'll still be playful at times and eat or drink (although perhaps slightly less than usual). On the other hand, if your child is dealing with something more serious than a cold — like
(a lung infection), a , an , , or
— she won't improve very much when her temperature goes down.The best rule to remember: It's appropriate for your child to be irritable or sleepy when her temperature rises to 103 degrees F, but it's not appropriate for her to act that way when her temperature drops toward normal. Serious infections usually have specific symptoms. She may feel more comfortable when the temperature comes down, but the infection is still present, so she'll still have body aches or an earache, or it will still hurt to breathe, or urinate, or move her head or neck, depending on the infection.More serious illnesses are usually caused by bacteria (and some viruses) and are less likely to get better without medication. (Although some do get better. We know, for example, that many ear infections can get better without antibiotics, and the symptoms of strep throat also sometimes go away without treatment. But your child should be seen by a doctor if you're worried about an ear infection or strep throat.)If you've decided that your child has a cold, but her congestion lasts more than two weeks or she develops new symptoms— especially a new fever or irritability — it may mean that she has a new viral illness or bacterial infection, like an ear infection, sinusitis, or pneumonia. If so, it's time to have her checked out by the doctor.Allergies can also cause a clear runny nose, itchy red eyes, scratchy throat, and a cough. Allergies themselves don't cause fevers. Children with allergies often get more colds, however, and seem to have more severe colds or colds that last longer. If your child gets frequent colds or is slow to clear a cold, or she continues to cough for a month or so after having a cold, her doctor will consider the possibility of .
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Find out how to tell if a bad chest cold in a child is something more serious, like pneumonia, and when should you pay a visit...
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Find out how to tell if a bad chest cold in a child is something more serious, like pneumonia, and when should you pay a visit...
MOM ANSWER
Pediatrician JoAnn Rohyans on how to tell whether your toddler has a cold or a more serious illness.
Find out which three things pediatricians look for to determine if your baby's cold is turning into something more serious.
Membership & Newsletters
This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Please review the Terms of Use before using this site. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by the . This site is published by BabyCenter, L.L.C., which is responsible for its contents as further described and qualified in the .
Trying to conceive
Select your State
I don't live in the US
California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Massachusetts
Mississippi
New Hampshire
New Jersey
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Pennsylvania
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South Dakota
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West Virginia
Allow BabyCenter's trusted
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* No relationship, sponsorship or affiliation is implied.