Occasionally kids pretend to be sick, but most of them don't use sophisticated techniques. Some get sick because they are tired from homework, others because they are bullied, still others because they simply need to rest. Unmasking a kid who claims he is ill is not an exact science, but if you suspect he is faking it, you will find tips in this article to confirm it.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Consider the Symptoms
Step 1. Ask him what symptoms he has
Kids who describe rather vague symptoms passing from one part of the body to the other without meaning often pretend.
Instead, if the symptoms are tangible and consistent, such as a runny nose and sore throat or stomach pain and diarrhea, you shouldn't suspect
Step 2. Check the temperature
After you give your child the thermometer, don't go away. Many kids can pretend they have a fever by running hot water on the thermometer or by putting it near a lit light bulb.
Step 3. If you vomit, trust your hearing and smell
If your child tells you he threw up, you need to have concrete evidence.
Step 4. Look for clammy skin and look pale
Sweat is caused by several factors, including allergic reactions, severe pain, anxiety, dehydration, and pneumonia.
Step 5. Ask him if you can touch his belly
Sometimes children complain of stomach pain. If he doesn't let you touch his belly and refuses to eat or drink, he may have abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain can be caused by constipation, viral infections, and in some cases more serious ailments. If they persist, see your doctor
Step 6. Observe the eyes
If they are red or watery, ask them if they feel any discomfort. It could be a simple allergy, but the presence of scabs can be a symptom of conjunctivitis.
If your child has conjunctivitis, take him to the doctor. This viral infection can be very contagious
Part 2 of 4: Observe Energy Levels
Step 1. Suggest that he go to the doctor or take medication
Even children who hate doctors and drugs agree to do whatever they have to do to get better. If your child refuses, they probably don't need it.
Step 2. See if she seems happy to stay home
If he changed his expression in an instant, maybe he wants to take a day off and spend it in front of the television.
Pay attention to see if he talks about homework. If he cries of joy at the thought of having a day off, he may be trying to avoid something
Step 3. Limit your activities
Don't encourage him to stay at home. If he realizes that getting sick means being pampered and watching television all day, he'll forget school in an instant.
Sick days should be dedicated to rest and recovery. You can definitely let him watch television. However, if your child is extremely attentive when looking at her, rather than lying on the sofa with his eyes half closed, there may be something underneath
Step 4. See if he regains strength throughout the day
You told him he can stay at home, only after sleeping for another 20 minutes he starts playing with Legos and running. He may have teased you once, but rest assured it won't happen again.
Part 3 of 4: Investigating the School
Step 1. Ask your child what he or she is planning at school
See if he "accidentally" gets sick the very day he has an interrogation. If he hasn't studied enough, he may be trying to take another day to make up for it.
- If he is quite nervous about a question or a class test, he may actually feel sick. Help him understand why he is tense and consider solutions with him.
- Kids don't have the right self-awareness to say, "I'm feeling anxious today." Explain that it is normal to be afraid and see if you can help him overcome it.
Step 2. Consider whether your child gets along well with the teachers
In fact, some children have problems from this point of view. If he pretends to be sick to avoid them, this could happen again.
- In this case, you need to speak directly with the teachers to resolve the problem.
- Find out if other students have difficulty with certain teachers. If not, it is possible that these problems have to do with your child's learning style or personality.
Step 3. Find out if your child is being bullied
About 30% of students between the ages of 11 and 15 have this problem. Understandably, those who suffer from it may decide to pretend to be sick to avoid being teased.
Part 4 of 4: Deciding whether to Get Him to Stay Home
Step 1. Consider if there is a certain pattern repeating itself
If you notice that every Tuesday and Thursday (the very days when he has physical education) your child has a vague leg cramp, you can send him to school without too much trouble.
- If you just can't tell if he's faking it and you haven't noticed repeating patterns, trust your instincts.
- If your child is really sick, the school itself will send him home.
Step 2. If you have any visible symptoms, let him stay home
If he has a fever of 38 ° C, vomiting, diarrhea, persistent pain or a bad cough, you shouldn't send him to school.
Making this decision is not just about your child's health, but also that of teachers and classmates
Step 3. Remember that everyone needs a break every now and then
It's hard to believe that a little boy can get stressed, but it does happen to the younger ones too. Sometimes the weekend isn't enough to catch up, especially if he's busy.
