kids and mental health days

[loreleigilmore]

I'm pretty sure that my 6 year old just took a mental health day.

My 3 year old son goes to my parents' house one day a week. My DD gets jealous that he goes there. Today she woke up and said she didn't feel well.  She looked fine but said her throat hurt. Unfortunately, neither my DH or I could possibly get her from school today if she is actually sick.

Last year she totally took a mental health day.  She said she was sick and exact same circumstances for DH and I. So off to grandparents house. About 2 hours later, my mom says to her "you seem fine, why did you say you were sick?" My then 5 year old says, "oh Nana, I just really needed a day to relax."   pretty sure I have my hands full with this one!

[Deleted]

Being a kid is tough!

[bearbaby]

Haha - I was allowed mental health days (I didn't miss school often for illnesses). One, maaaybe 2 a year - and I could get a bit dramatic in High School, so by then I was allowed to cop to a "I don't feel like going in today" to mope/relax/write sappy poetry at home once in a blue moon. Not necessarily a bad thing

[lauralala]

I vote ok.  We expect a lot from 6 year olds. She probably needs a day to chill.

[Deleted]

I'd probably negotiate one a semester. I don't want my kids to lie to me, but I'm not thinking a day twice a year at Grandma's is a terrible thing.

[cjeanette]

I am a mean mom. I can tell when they are faking it. Esp DD. She is too overdramatic. When she is actually sick she doesn't tell you.

They get enough days off from school each month. In Oct there were 7!

[Deleted]

My brother who is really emotional/easily stressed/has a few issues used to do this. My parents would indulge him from time to time. It was good for everyone.

DD gets overwhelmed with daycare sometimes so once a season or so I'll pick her up at lunch and just let her veg/hang out sans brother.

Life is tough when you're little.

[drloretta]

LOL, apparently my mom gave us a mental health day one day a semester when we were growing up. I vote she owns it and you make it an annual tradition.

[InBetweenDays]

We allow this once in awhile. Just last month DS (5) said he was sick in the morning. He knew I was going to work from home so I think that played into it. Anyway, we had several times when we sent them in even though they said they didn't feel well, and turned out they really were a little sick. So this time I let him stay home. About 20 minutes after DD went to school DS said "Mom, can we do something fun today just the two of us?". I work part time and we used to have every Wednesday and Friday just the two of us while his sister was in school, so I think he was missing that. Needless to say my heart melted. But since he was "sick" our fun was limited to puzzles, cards, crafts, and one tv show