How to Deal With a Kid Pretending to Be Sick

You put a healthy, happy child to sleep the night before, but when it's time to wake up for school, he's suddenly too sick to hop on the school bus. The sudden onset of symptoms -- or lack of symptoms entirely -- might leave you suspicious, wondering if your child is truly sick. Playing detective and doctor at the same time can help you deal with a child who is pretending to be sick.

Instructions

    • 1

      Ask your child what his symptoms are. If he stumbles around to come up with viable symptoms and he has no visible ones, he might be lying. If you're suspicious, ask again, this time telling your child that you wonder if he's really sick or if he simply doesn't want to go to school. Your candidness might get him to open up and speak the truth about his illness -- or lack thereof.

    • 2

      Take your child's temperature to confirm she doesn't have a fever. Check her throat and ears for redness. While you might be unable to diagnose a real illness at home, your child might get antsy when you start looking for the problem. As a result, she might confess that she isn't sick or simply get dressed and ready for school without putting up a fight.

    • 3

      Look for signs of a kid who wants to skip school. If he has a big test that he's unprepared for or a class presentation that makes him nervous, your kid might come down with a sudden illness. Rather than letting him miss school, help him prepare for the big test or presentation to calm his nerves. You can nip any fake sickness in the bud when your child isn't worried about going to school.

    • 4

      Maintain an open dialogue about school. If your child is facing ongoing problems at school, such as disagreements with teachers or bullying, she might use sickness as her escape from the school day. By being aware of what's happening at school, you can address problems and help your child face them rather than hide from them at home.

    • 5

      Involve your child's teacher if the problem persists. Your child might be unwilling to open up about problems at school. Talk to the teacher about your kid's desire to stay at home, and work on finding a solution to make school a more appealing place. Your child will be less likely to fake a sickness when both his teachers and parents work together to ease any concerns or fears.

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