How to get my 2 year old to wear a mask?

Question

Hey mamas,
How’d you get your two year olds to wear a mask?
Where I’m at, they’re requiring any kids over 2 to wear a mask for covid and my son just turned 2 and it’s been the biggest struggle. He hates having anything on his face/head (he won’t wear sunglasses, hats, the hood on his towel, etc). We’ve tried using Mickey masks since Mickey is his favorite character, we’ve tried the whole “mommy and daddy and all these people are wearing theirs so you have to wear yours too” and nothings working. 
Someone told us that he and his wife wore theirs 24/7 at home and had a bunch of masks in reach of their son so he could put one on when he felt comfortable, but idk what to do at this point. It’s almost getting to the point where I can’t go grocery shopping with him bc I’m getting asked about his mask. 
Yes I can play the “he’s not two yet” card but for how much longer, ya know? 😔😔

Answer

This is why I think it’s ridiculous that 2 year olds need to wear masks. I’m not anti mask at all and I know they work but asking a 2 year old to wear it is ridiculous in my opinion.

Answer

I would try rewards if you think he will understand that wearing a mask will get him something special. Could be screen time, a treat, a toy, going to bed 5 min later etc. Kids love special treatment! “If you can keep your mask on while we’re at ____ you can pick a treat, but you have to keep it on!” Make it interesting for him!

Answer

Hi I just want you to know you are not alone. My son is 21 months old and I have no idea how to get him to wear a mask. He is also 99th percentile and we frequently get asked his age all the time and get glares. There is absolutely nothing I can do about a toddler behaving like a toddler.

Answer

I’m sorry to hear that. I couldn’t get my 2 year old to wear a mask until he was about 27 months old. We bought him a really cute Elmo mask and just made a huge deal about it by practicing wearing it at home once a day. We’d just give him a lot of praise for putting it on for 30 seconds. At some point he decided he likes to wear it in public. I think it’s mostly because strangers compliment him on his mask and how he can wear it. We’d also put a hat on him over the mask so he couldn’t pull off the straps behind his ears because he did that a lot at first. It’s just hard when they’re that age. Before he was able to wear a mask, we’d put him in his stroller that has a massive cover that covers him to his legs and no one would say anything.

Answer

I wish I had some actual tips or tricks but we just kept telling him to put it on and one day he did and now wears it anytime we leave the house and go into a store. My advice would be to just keep trying.

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My son is 4 and barely wants to wear his mask. He usually takes it from over his nose. Just be patient and keep trying

Answer

My 2 year old and I have matching masks, so sometimes that helps her wear it if we match. We also have some variety for her so she can pick. But, I also tell her we can’t go or stay some place if she takes it off (library, disney, science center, etc.) and that usually works. For church, she sees her friends wearing them and that helps her.

Answer

My son is almost three and has only started wearing them. He really didn't ever go anywhere but occasionally grocery shopping for a few things.  If anyone said anything I'd tell them im lucky to keep pants on him and walk away 🤷‍♀️

Answer

Go follow biglittlefeelings on Instagram. They have a great PREP to getting children to wear masks (and really do anything that is scary / they don’t want).

Answer

Does you son go in a pram/stroller? Could you maybe put the rain cover over the top?

How to get my 2 year old to wear a mask?

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