On this week’s Parenting segment, one woman is worried that her daughter is becoming too health conscious. 

“My daughter is very health conscious recently,” she told Moncrieff. “It started during COVID, but it hasn't improved since the pandemic ended - if anything, she's got more tense. 

“When we went on holidays last summer, she insisted on wearing a mask on the plane and over Christmas she was very agitated when we didn't have hand sanitiser in the house.” 

The girl’s grandmother lives with the family and has underlying health issues that she must be “extra conscious”. 

“We've tried to explain that she doesn't have to worry like Granny,” she said. “Her behaviour is becoming obsessive. 

“We can’t throw out all precautions, but I would like to show her everything would be fine if she doesn’t stick to the rules she sets herself.” 

Child psychotherapist Joanna Fortune said the parents seem to give “mixed messages” to their daughter about health and sanitation. 

“You are concerned about the child's behaviours becoming obsessive, but you are also clearly conveying to her that you can’t throw away all precautions because you live with somebody vulnerable. 

“When you say, ‘We’ve tried to explain she doesn't have to worry like Granny’... I find myself wondering if it's the case that she's worried about Granny.” 

Joanna also pointed out that some measures such as wearing a mask on a plane and having hand sanitiser at home are good ideas. 

“I wouldn’t fight with her on that,” she said. “Not if it’s constant throughout the day – that's a worry – but from what you’re saying, that isn’t how it sounds. 

“If you have hand sanitiser in the house for anybody coming in because you live with someone vulnerable, that wouldn't be a cause for concern for me.” 

Health and fun

The psychotherapist acknowledged, however, that if the daughter is letting health concerns take over her life, she needs to be spoken to. 

“Sit with her and let her know that you think the worry about sickness is taking over the fun side of life,” she said. 

“She might benefit from someone to talk to who could help balance some of those worries out so that she can understand that there are precautions for Granny but it doesn't need to consume her.” 

Depending on the daughter’s age and response to her parents, Joanna said play therapy and increased sensory play can reduce her anxiety. 

Listen back here: