With the start of the school year, many mothers face a familiar scene: their child complains, “My stomach hurts… my teeth hurt… I can’t go to school,” paired with a shy smile or a dramatic tone. Experienced mothers often recognize the act immediately, replying, “But you were laughing and playing yesterday—what changed?”
This daily ritual, where children invent excuses to stay home, is surprisingly common. We spoke with Dr. Fatma Al-Shenawy, a child psychologist and human development lecturer, to explore why children fake sickness, how to tell real illness from pretending, and how repeated sick days can affect a child.
The “Creative Sick Child”
A survey of doctors found:
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67% of mothers said their children fake being sick at least once a month.
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23% reported it happens weekly, especially after vacations.
Symptoms children often pretend to have include:
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Stomachaches, sore throat, dizziness, or fever (with dramatic gestures).
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Some plan their act in advance, refusing dinner, pretending to sleep early, or complaining of aches in limbs or head.
A Mother’s Detective Work
Noha, mother of two, shares her experience:
“My son tells me every day he has a headache. But when I say, ‘Go to school and call me if you feel unwell,’ he suddenly becomes energetic, eats breakfast, and even laughs!”
To detect pretense, she uses a “testing” method:
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Ask the child to describe the pain in detail.
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Offer a doctor visit.
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Suggest staying in bed without TV or toys.
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Observe the child after an hour—do they remain sick or start playing?
Why Do Kids Fake Being Sick?
Faking illness isn’t always about laziness; it can signal:
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Anxiety about school or social interactions.
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Difficulty with a subject or teacher.
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Desire for attention, especially if the child feels less loved or jealous of siblings.
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Fear of chores, responsibilities, or embarrassment.
A study showed 40% of cases relate to mild psychological issues like stress or the need for attention.
How to Handle Faked Illness
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Communicate calmly: Discuss reasons behind the behavior.
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Show love and care: Ensure the child feels safe and secure.
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Reward honesty: Praise the child when they tell the truth; withhold privileges if they pretend.
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Avoid giving in: Letting children skip school reinforces the habit.
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Avoid harsh punishment: Use encouragement instead of aggression to build responsibility and confidence.
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Listen actively: Children need to feel their feelings are acknowledged.
Common Tricks Children Use:
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Warm water on the forehead to fake fever.
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Dramatic coughing.
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Asking for unnecessary medicine.
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Refusing food to appear unwell.
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Ignoring “illness” when engaged with TV, games, or visitors.
Tips for Mothers
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Listen seriously, even if you suspect pretending.
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Use the “test” method: propose the doctor or quiet bed time.
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Discover the real reason: ask about school, friends, or teachers.
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Set rules for actual sick days: no TV, games, or treats.
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Reward honesty and discuss solutions when the child admits to faking.
Potential Risks of Frequent Sick Days
Repeated faking can:
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Affect academic performance.
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Create a negative habit.However, most cases are a temporary coping mechanism or attention-seeking behavior.
With patience, love, and smart observation, mothers can help their children distinguish between real illness and pretense, guiding them toward honesty and protecting them from long-term habits that could be harmful.
Every morning, when the child says, “Mom, my stomach hurts…” a wise mother smiles and replies:“Okay, let’s check—but if it’s just pretending, you’ll wash the dishes today!”
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