There are times when children try to fake an illness, but the majority of them do not adopt such complex tactics. Some children pretend to be sick because they are tired of doing homework, while others do it because they are bullied. There are even some who just need a little rest. Being able to spot someone falsely claiming to be sick isn't an exact science, but with a little care you can easily do it.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: observe the symptoms
Step 1. Ask the child how he feels
Children who indiscriminately describe vague symptoms from one part of the body to another are usually lying.
On the other hand, if the symptoms are concrete and consistent, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, rhinitis, and angina, then you should know that this is not a fake
Step 2. Take his temperature
Do not leave the room after giving the thermometer to your child. Many people have managed to avoid going to class by putting the thermometer under a hot water tap or holding it near a hot light bulb.
Step 3. Listen to the sound of vomiting and check the smell
If your child says she is throwing up, you will have certainly heard and seen this.
Step 4. See if the skin is clammy
Does your child have clammy, pale skin? In fact, there are a number of factors that cause clammy skin, including anxiety, severe pain, pneumonia, dehydration, and allergic reactions.
Step 5. Ask if you can touch her stomach
Children sometimes complain of having a stomach ache. If she doesn't allow you to touch her belly and refuses to eat or drink, it could be that she is really having abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain can be caused by viral infections, constipation, and sometimes something much more serious. Call your doctor if your child has prolonged abdominal pain
Step 6. Look at his eyes
If your child's eyes look pink, red, or watery, ask if they are hurting. Although it could be simple allergies, if her eyes are dull, she could be suffering from conjunctivitis.
If your child has conjunctivitis, you should take him to the doctor. This viral condition can be extremely contagious
Part 2 of 4: observing energy levels
Step 1. Offer to go to the doctor or take medicine
Keep in mind that even children who don't like going to doctors or taking medication will be willing to do whatever it takes to feel better. If she refuses to seek treatment, it is certainly because she does not need it.
Step 2. Observe if she seems excited about staying home
If you find her mood suddenly changing, from a sad look to a rather cheerful face, know that she is looking to enjoy a day watching the TV series Arthur.
Watch for any mention made about homework. If she's looking forward to doing nothing all day, that might be a clue that she's trying to avoid something
Step 3. Limit your child's activities
Make staying home not fun. If by staying home when sick the child receives special treatment and spends the day watching television, she will not worry about failing in school.
Sick days are for rest and recovery, which may include watching television. However, if your child is paying close attention when watching TV rather than lying on the couch and looking through weeping eyes, then she might have another motive
Step 4. Observe if she is overflowing with energy at the end of the day
You might tell her to stay home and notice that after another 20 minutes of sleep she starts playing Lego and running around. It can cheat you once, but it won't succeed on the second attempt.
Part 3 of 4: Check to learn more about the school day
Step 1. Ask her what is scheduled for school for the day
Watch carefully to see if your child has fallen ill very conveniently on the day of a major test. If she hasn't really studied, she might try to take an extra day to study.
- If she is extremely nervous about a test or presentation, she might appear to be physically ill. You need to help her find out what is making her nervous and work with her to find solutions.
- Younger children don't have the self-awareness to say "I'm scared today". Tell him it's okay to be afraid, and see how you can help him get over his fear.
Step 2. Check to see if your child gets along well with their teachers
Some children really don't have a good relationship with their teachers. If yours fakes an illness to avoid their teachers, it could become repetitive.
- If this is the case, you will need to speak directly with your child's teacher to resolve the issue.
- Find out if other students are having difficulty with this particular teacher. If not, it could be a problem specific to your child's personality or learning style.
Step 3. Find out if your child is being bullied
Almost 30% of students in grades 6-10 are affected by bullying. Quite naturally, children who are affected by this kind of situation might falsely pretend they are sick to avoid being teased.
Part 4 of 4: Deciding whether or not to allow your child to stay at home
Step 1. Determine if it becomes repetitive
If you find that your child is faking a fake illness every Tuesday and Thursday (days that are reserved for gymnastics), it would definitely be best to send them to school.
- If you absolutely can't figure out if this is a pretext and it hasn't happened a few times, just go with your gut.
- If your offspring is really sick, the school will send them home anyway.
Step 2. Keep her home if she is showing tangible symptoms
You should not bring your child to school if she has a temperature over 38 degrees, has diarrhea, vomits, coughs, or has persistent pain.
This is important not only for the health of your child, but also for the well-being of his peers and teachers
Step 3. Recognize that sometimes everyone needs a rest
It's hard to believe kids are stressed out, but they really are! At times, the weekend is not enough for them to catch up, especially if they are overwhelmed with work.
The unexplained symptoms could be a clue to something else. Sometimes depression, anxiety, or other conditions can manifest physically
Advice
- If you notice that your child gets sick often, but never on weekends, take extra care the next time she claims to be.
- Stay in the same room as your child to make sure he or she is really sick.
- Always observe your child. You'll never know when she's running around, playing on her computer, etc.
