Would YOU let your child take a mental health day? Mother-of-four reveals she allows her sons to skip school when they're 'worn down' (and allows them to play video games and eat junk food)
- Rita Templeton from Ohio allows her four children to skip school occasionally
- They're allowed choose whatever they want and they love the quality time
- Parenting expert Jo Wiltshire warns of legal implications with UK school
- Child psychologist says idea may encourage children to be manipulative
A mother has revealed how she allows her four sons to take 'mental health days' off school to do something fun when they're feeling 'worn down'.
Blogger Rita Templeton, from Ohio, made the admission on the Scary Mommy website, saying that if one of her children is showing particular reluctance to get up or has fallen out with a friend she will allow them to stay off and do whatever they want that day.
The busy mother fully believes in the 'restorative power' of a mental health day, as her own mother used to allow her the same treat once a year when she was a child.
'Kids do need breaks, just as much as grown-ups,' she explained. 'Though their lives aren’t stressful in the same ways as ours, they still go through things that, from their inexperienced perspective, are really rough.
![Blogger Rita Templeton, from Ohio, has revealed that she allows her children to take mental health days off school when they are 'worn down' and need time out](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206164333/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/02/15/3CC3DAE800000578-4184150-image-a-30_1486050424384.jpg)
Blogger Rita Templeton, from Ohio, has revealed that she allows her children to take mental health days off school when they are 'worn down' and need time out
'Their emotional tanks are being refilled, not just through a much-needed break from their daily routines, but through spending valuable one-on-one time with their mom.
'And they perk up like flowers being watered after a drought.'
Rita says that her own mental health days are among her happiest childhood memories, and she always looked forward to the one she was allowed every year.
Her mother would take her window shopping at the mall, for a picnic in the park or allow her to watch movies in her pyjamas all afternoon.
![Two of Rita's four boys relaxing at home. When they have a mental health day the child is allowed do whatever they like, whether that's playing computer games or stocking up on snacks](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206164333/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/02/16/3CC3DAF800000578-4184150-image-a-32_1486051279917.jpg)
Two of Rita's four boys relaxing at home. When they have a mental health day the child is allowed do whatever they like, whether that's playing computer games or stocking up on snacks
There was never a specific date when she knew she'd be allowed to stay off school, but her mother always seemed to know instinctively when she was in need of a break.
Rita believes that the need for a mental health day is one of the reason children pretend to be sick, so that's why she now carries on the tradition with her own four boys.
She can tell it's time for one when they start showing 'signs of strain', such as being especially unwilling to get up in the morning.
Her boys are allowed to chose how they want to spend their free day, and they always opt for a simple pleasure over anything particularly special, such as playing computer games or going to the grocery store to stock up on snacks.
![Rita says that there are times when she needs to put her own wellbeing above all else, and wants to teach her children to do the same](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206164333/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/02/16/3CC3DAF400000578-4184150-image-m-36_1486051660373.jpg)
Rita says that there are times when she needs to put her own wellbeing above all else, and wants to teach her children to do the same
The bus mother admits that the day spent together isn't always the kind she'd chose but if she has to sit through hours of playing Minecraft, it's worth it for the 'joy and enthusiasm and relief' they get out of it.
Another added bonus to allowing one of her children to stay off school is to rediscover how 'awesome these little people I've created are'.
She shares that it's hard to find the space for quality time, especially in a large family like hers and admits that she often looks at her children without actually 'seeing them'.
Another argument for a child mental health day is the fact that Rita herself sometimes needs to step back and give herself some personal time.
And she wants her children to know that it's good to take care of themselves and put their mental wellbeing above everything else.
'I’m hoping that through these special one-on-one days, they grow to understand that,' she said.
'Plus another, equally important message: "I love you, and I can’t wait to spend time together".'
![Busy mother Rita grapples with the laundry: She admits that mental health days also provide her with some much-needed bonding time with her children](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206164333/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/02/16/3CC3DAED00000578-4184150-image-a-34_1486051618810.jpg)
Busy mother Rita grapples with the laundry: She admits that mental health days also provide her with some much-needed bonding time with her children
However if you are considering allowing your child a mental health day, you should consider the potential legal implications.
Children are permitted to be absent from school if they’re too ill to go in or you've received advance permission.
But schools can take legal action if your child is missing without a good reason.
Meanwhile, child psychologist Dr Amanda Grummer doesn't recommend a so-called mental health day for children any younger than 14.
'I'd suggest that at much below the age of 14, it would be difficult for a child have the levels of cognitive and emotional development to evaluate the cost-benefits of the day off,' she said.
'If it's genuine ongoing stress and pressure that is affecting their general well-being - for example, not sleeping or eating properly and difficulty concentrating - then a day to regroup can help.
'But I'd suggest that parents set clear expectations about what a "regrouping day" involves - plenty of sleep, limited screen time and healthy food.
'The idea of quality time together is great but if it's too much of a treat-based day, there's a dangerous incentive for children to try to get more of these sort of days.'
Talking to your child is essential to figure out why they want a day of school, so you can figure out whether it's appropriate or not.
'It's really important to keep an open dialogue with children, especially as they enter teenage years.
'Try not to judge, or second guess what's bothering them,' Dr Grummer said.
'If it's a friendship issue or a mis-demeanour that they want to avoid, then a day off is definitely not the answer.'
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