My Child Makes Up Excuses Not To Have To Go To School
Does your child make excuses not to go to school? Find out more about it in this article and learn the reasons behind it.
The most common excuses for not going to school
Just before it’s time to go to school, does your child complain of a stomach ache, headache, or sore throat? Does this apparent pain get better as soon as you allow him to stay at home?
However, they reappear the next morning. These symptoms can also be accompanied by crying and fits of anger.
Older children may experience aggressive behavior towards their parents or refuse to get up and get ready for school. It also includes threats to run away.
Why do some children make excuses?
The excuses for not going to school can be for internal or external reasons. We’ll take a closer look at these afterwards.
Excuses of internal origin
Your child may be scared or paralyzed by having to leave the safety of their parents and home. It can think something bad is happening when it’s not with you.
His worry may be getting lost and not finding the way back. Indeed, a child can even fear the death of its parents while separated from them.
However, it can also be due to family circumstances. In cases of divorce, abuse, or violence, the child may develop fear of the outside world.
It tries to avoid arguments among its parents and looks for reasons to get their attention.
In other cases, children avoid school because they have an undiagnosed learning disability.
Older children may find that home is much more comfortable than school. They want to sleep late, watch TV, play video games, and do other things.
Excuses of external origin
Other reasons can be social factors. In these cases, the child is afraid of things like: taking the bus, being called to the board, or speaking in front of the class and the teacher.
Because they fear failure, they make excuses to avoid these situations.
Another reason could be in the interpersonal area. Younger children may consider themselves ugly or bad and think that no one wants to play with them.
It is also possible that the child is threatened or ashamed of something. This reason is most often the cause in teenagers.
Parents and teachers must work together to end this bullying as soon as possible.
Children pay more attention to their external appearance, as physical changes occur at this age. Being overweight or underweight is just one of many triggers for decreased self-esteem.
In girls, early development can cause real agony. Hormonal changes only add to these uncertainties.
In this phase, they are also no longer the oldest and most experienced children, but the youngest and most inexperienced young people.
When excuses become a habit
Making excuses for not going to school is a common occurrence among children. Mostly, however, it is 5 to 7 year olds or 10 to 13 year olds who do not want to go to school.
It is estimated that up to 25% of all school children come up with excuses not to go to school at some point.
For small children, this can be the case after the school holidays or after a short illness. You then spent some time with the family and got used to it.
Excuses can also be sought after the death of a close relative, a change of school, a move, etc.
9 practical tips for parents
Before dismissing your child’s excuses as unimportant, consider the following:
- Try to find out the reason for his excuses.
- Rule out the most common symptoms like fever, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Watch the frequency and severity of these symptoms to see if they are real.
- Be patient and don’t get upset.
- Don’t be too quick to get a negative reaction or tell your child that their fears are unfounded. Don’t force it into school without first knowing the reasons.
- Remember that constant fear can trigger future disorders, phobias, or panic attacks.
- School is a cause of many fears in children as it does not provide the protective environment at home. That leads to excuses not to have to go to school.
- Bring the situation up without berating or downplaying your child’s feelings. This will not make the problems worse.
- Work with teachers, classmates, and siblings to best manage the situation.
- A psychologist or other specialist can give you practical tips. You are not alone in the situation.
Problems that create common excuses
When a child insists on making excuses not to go to school, it is a troubling situation. In these cases, it is advisable that you seek the help of a psychiatrist.
This can be very helpful for the general development of your child. Skipping school due to fear or shame can lead to serious academic and social problems.
In the long run , this situation increases the risk of criminal behavior and economic disadvantage due to a lack of education and the resulting unemployment.
Social isolation and relationship problems are also possible consequences. As an adult, you may experience anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
While schoolchildren often make up excuses for not going to school, find out why.
If you deal with the situation correctly, your child can enjoy their school days and later become a successful adult.
