Help People Understand

I'm sorry that people can be so mean :(. Maybe you can join a group and explain what he has so that people understand. I would say you are probably just going to raise him to know how to politely tell people to buzz off ;). Maybe if you got a medical ID bracelet for him to wear, adults would at least recognize it and know that he has something special going on and he's not contagious. They have some really cool band ones that are not traditional looking at all! I know how you feel, though. My daughter madi has spina bifida and hydrocephauls. She has a shunt to drain the fluid in her brain to her abdomen. She had 5 shunt surgeries before she was 3 months old. The side of her head is fully shaved on one side and the other has a strip of hair gone. People always laugh and tell me she has a mohawk, which she does. They tell me I should do tummy time so that she doesn't rub her hair off so bad. The thing is, I rarely even put her down. It's very, very frustrating that people can't mind their own business. I just tell them, yes, she does. She's had 5 surgeries in her little life, so her poor hair just doesn't have time to grow in. It usually shuts them up, but I still get annoyed!

Here's my blog :) www.missmadisjourney.blogspot.com

Some people are so ridiculous. I would say if you found the right Moms Group and the Moms knew that whatever your child has is not contagious then I wouldnt see a problem with them accepting you. I know I wouldnt have a problem with it. Good Luck and I am sorry you have to go through that.

Hi Renee,

Other than wearing a sign (or some T shirts??) explaining the situation, you will probably need to have a select group that you have educated. A mom's group or playgroup you have selected would be do-able. A large school...well, you never know who will be coming and going.
Unfortunately you may have to come to expect that sort of reaction from people. The unknown is scary..."why is that kid wearing a mask?" Current advice in medical offices is that if YOU are contagious YOU wear the mask. People do not first think of cute little kids having immune disorders.
Good luck.

Educate, educate, educate! Since your son can not go up to strangers and tell them why he is wearing a mask, it's up to you to tell moms and dads. I have two children who are now 14 and 11 and I can tell you that once, I saw a child wearing a mask, I asked the mother about it. She told me almost the same story. I did happen to keep my kids away from that girl because I didn't want them infecting her. (They both had colds at the time) however, after that she was fair game. If this is a long term situation, perhaps decorating the mask and making it part of who he would be fun. Kids will always ask, bring extras at your play group for the other kids to wear. Did your doctor order your son to wear the mask?

Hi Renee,
I was a flight attendant for several years, and had people on my flights all the time wearing masks. Maybe this was ignorance on my part, but I usually assumed that they just didn't want to breath in the germs on the airplane, not that they were sick, but not wanting to become sick. So, I tried to be a little more aware of what and how I brought things to them. I hope no one ever took offense to my actions. And, that maybe some of energy some of the other mothers are giving off is trying to be conciderate, but just not doing a great job of it. I hope this helps, and I pray of the best of health for your family.
S.

Hi Renee,

I have no idea how to tell you to handle the situation, but I have an almost 3 year old little girl (and a 6 year old son). She and I are home by noon on Weds and Fri and often go to parks or just hang out...we are in NW Glendale and we could get together and play sometime. Meet at a park or something...I am certain she would ask why he has it on, because that's just the way kids are. My personal feeling is that you just need to develop some friendships with some families in your neighborhood, thru the school, or on your own where they understand and the mask will be not even noticed because they will know and like your son for who he is...and the strangers in the stores, etc...well, if they are going to be judging and rude, then oh well...you won't see them again anyway. You'll have a bigger issue making sure your son understands that people are afraid of what they don't know or don't understand. If you can make sure he has a good level of self-confidence about it, then he will grow up already not caring what others think. I would just focus on having some playgroups for him where he can be accepted and don't worry about making other people feel comfortable...worry about making him feel good. Send me a message if you'd like to try to get together sometime!