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If your school district is ending its mask mandate, here’s what you need to know.

Many school districts are ending the mask mandate for the 2022-2023 school year — and while these policies may change as the school year progresses, it’s time to ask yourself how to talk to your kids about going to school without masks.

Some kids may be excited about the lack of masks in school, especially if they are old enough to remember mask-free classes. Other kids might be hesitant—and some parents might be hesitant, too. Parenting coach explains: “You and your family still have to decide what’s best for your child even if your area becomes unmasked.” Deborah Porter.

With that in mind, here are some questions that may arise as you and your children prepare for the upcoming school year — and some expert-led answers to help your family make the best possible choices.

In this article:

Should your child wear a mask at school?

Just because your school district ends its mask mandate doesn’t mean your child should immediately stop wearing a mask in class. Some families may choose to keep their children masked, especially if a loved one is immunocompromised or at higher risk of developing complications from COVID.

“If you choose to keep your kids in masks, normalize them,” she advises. Jennifer Thompson, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. One of the best ways to help your child feel comfortable wearing masks at school is to continue to disguise yourself — even if your workplace no longer requires masks, and even if many of the places you visit as a family have become mask-free.

“It’s important to show kids that masking is still a normal part of life and that it’s okay to do it in public, even when not everyone is,” says Thompson. “When your child sees your family hiding on a routine basis, it creates good habits that are easy for your child to follow when they are alone.”

Other parents may find that while they are willing for their child to stop wearing a mask at school, their child is reluctant to make the change. In this case, parents can use public health information — including, if applicable, the information provided by your child’s school district — to talk to children about how COVID-19 has changed and prepare them for transmission.

“Explain to your child why there is no mask in your area,” says Porter. “Having information will help them empower.”

“Explain to your child why there is no mask in your area. Having the information will help them empower.”

—Deborah Porter, parenting coach

Does your child want to wear a mask at school?

Parents may be able to help their kids build good habits, but kids also pick up habits from their peers — and if the majority of students go maskless at school, your child may want to do the same. “Children in disguise may feel isolated when they return to school,” Thompson explains. “Make sure they know they can talk about it, and their desires are to remove the masks if they want, and you’ll be open to the conversation.”

Porter suggests starting the conversation by explaining the school district’s recommendations — and then asking your child how he or she would like to respond. “Ask your child what he wants to do. Don’t assume you know.” This gives your child the opportunity to feel heard, rather than just being told what to do.

In some cases, you may end up agreeing with your child. In other cases, you may want to encourage your child to make a different decision. Either way, your child will likely learn something important. “Asking your child if they think they should wear masks at school builds critical thinking skills,” Porter says. “It also teaches your child how to talk to boundaries for the sake of his body.”

Thompson agrees. “Give your child the freedom to choose. It’s okay to tell kids when they should wear masks — like if they’re on a crowded bus, or indoors with lots of friends and less space. It’s also okay to let kids choose about when they want to take off the mask — if They were on a break, for example, or sitting at their desks. Giving them the autonomy to make choices increases their awareness and can help empower them.”

What are your family’s rules about when to wear masks?

It is important to give your child the opportunity to choose when to wear the mask. It is also important to identify situations in which a face covering is not optional. Thompson advises, “Make the rules at home about vacations and vacation planning.” “No one wants to get sick before the trip and risk it – or put the family at risk.”

Once you establish situational limits around mask wearing, social distancing, and other COVID prevention strategies, Thompson suggests presenting your family’s rules — whatever they may be — as a common plan. It’s what your family does before big events, and you do it to ensure everyone enjoys the experience together.

“Notifying the kids that for two weeks before the Disney vacation we’ll be wearing the mask all the time at school so we can make sure we’re going on our ride is helpful,” Thompson explains. “It reinforces something they are excited about and helps keep them safe ahead of the event.”

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How should you behave with families that follow different rules of concealment?

Your family’s masking rules, both in terms of daily interactions and in terms of private situations, are likely to differ from the requirements for masks for other families. This means that your children may have questions about why they are being asked to do something that their friends, cousins, or classmates might not have to do — or vice versa.

If your child is the one wearing the mask, help him feel proud of his family’s mask requirements. “Role-play what might be comfortable, confident responses to friends and others who might ask why they’re wearing the mask,” Porter explains. For example, I wear my mask to protect my grandmother who lives with us. “

If your child is the one asking why other students are still wearing masks, help them understand that many families make different decisions about wearing masks at the moment. “Normalize masks and differences in masks as we do with religion and other family dynamics,” advises Thompson. Keep it simple by saying All families look and do things differently. “

If you’re concerned that the family you interact with on a regular basis might make general health choices that put your family at risk, remember that you have choices. You can always hide yourself and your children, suggest outside activities, or – if necessary – reduce the amount of time you spend with that particular family.

Likewise, if you are concerned that the family in your social circle is too cautious about masks, remember that they may be dealing with issues that put them at greater risk. Either way, avoid rejecting or insulting families who don’t follow your masking rules. Thompson reminds us: “When we talk negatively about others in front of our children, they pick it up.”

Your kids will also learn about how you feel about the masks — and most importantly, whether you are open or closed to the discussion. No matter how you talk to your kids about going to school without masks, try to stay open. This is especially important if the rules for your family masks do not match what your child’s classmates or peers are doing, and your child is asking you to re-evaluate your decisions. You will also need to prepare yourself – and your children – to re-process your risks if the COVID situation changes for the worse or the inner mask mandates are re-commissioned again.

“Kids navigate some very big feelings of school and masks, and they need to know they can come to you with all their fears,” says Thompson.

Our editorial policy

Haven Life is a customer-centric life insurance agency backed and wholly owned by the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). We believe making decisions about life insurance, your personal finances, and your overall wellness can be very simple.

Our editorial policy

Haven Life is a customer-centric life insurance agency backed and wholly owned by the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). We believe making decisions about life insurance, your personal finances, and your overall wellness can be very simple.

Our content is created for educational purposes only. Haven Life does not endorse the companies, products, services, or strategies discussed here, but we hope that they will make your life less difficult if they are a good fit for your situation.

Haven Life is not authorized to provide tax, legal or investment advice. This material is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, tax, legal or investment advice. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from a tax advisor or legal counsel.

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Haven Term is a life insurance policy (DTC and ICC17DTC in certain states, including NC) issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111-0001 and offered exclusively through Haven Life Insurance Agency, LLC. In New York, the Haven term is DTC-NY 1017. In CA, the Haven Term is DTC-CA 042017. Haven Term Simplified is a life insurance policy with a simplified issue term (ICC19PCM-SI 0819 in certain states, including NC) Issued by CM Life Insurance Company, Enfield, CT 06082. Policy and passenger numbers and features may vary by state and may not be available in all states. Our agency license number in California is OK71922 and in Arkansas is 100139527.

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