Hygene, Why don't teens get it

[ferocity302]

My son is 14 and we fight so hard to get him to take a shower, put on clean clothes........not sleep in his clothes and generally just keep up on his hygene.

He is not the only one. I've seen a couple of his other friends with the same issue. What can I do? I fight to get him to take a shower every day....... If I don't remind him he doesn't do it.

How can I get him to self manage his own hygene? Any thoughts?

[amymom]

My son is just hitting puberty so the shower issue is developing. We have insisted on a shower at least every other day. And... yes it is a struggle. What we have also insisted on is , new UW & socks and shirt everyday. And ... we remind him of the possibility of the cruelty of others if he smells even just once at school. But there seems to be no hope. We are developing a 'fine' if he doesn't manage his own hygene. This would be were he would pay us $$ when he misses or needs to be reminded.
It seems like it will be a perpetual problem.

[lisar]

When I was younger my parents fought with me to take a shower and brush my teeth and brush my hair. They just made me do it. If I didnt go take a shower when I was told then I got grounded or got the t.v. taken or wasnt allowed to go outside and hang with my friends. Thats the only advice I have for you.

Lisa

[iluvmysweetiepies]

Hmm I don't have much advice. My daughter is around the same age but is pretty good with hygiene. Maybe it's a boy thing. Just keep reminding him. At our house we have a shower schedule to make sure everyone keeps clean. Maybe reserve a special "shower time" for him, and on days when he doesn't shower have the time be just for reading or whatever. That seems to be the common problem around here, being too busy with other, often more fun , things to be interested in taking a shower.

This post has been edited by iluvmysweetiepies on May 7 2005, 05:49 PM

[mama3x]

I don't have any advice for you because I am kinda in the same boat. I swear my DS never washes his hair well! I sometimes wonder if he even uses shampoo and soap or if he just SAYS he does...

Well the dentist visits confirm he must be brushing his teeth at least. And he does use deodorant but still, there are other areas of hygiene that are HORRORS! He will sleep in the same shirt with the same sheets and blanket for months if I don't say something.

It could be worse though I admit. But I am after him all the time hoping maybe he'll get tired of my nagging. Is it possible for his pediatrician to talk to him? Or a respected male figure other than his dad? That may help. Good luck!

[ferocity302]

He seems to be getting better. Dad (biological donor) is not in the picture and he doesn't want dad in the picture.

My b/f has been talking to him (we've only been together a few months now) and my DS really likes him so the support seems to be working so far. There are still days that I wonder about that soap and shampoo too. Now it's just getting him to start shaving! LOL He's 14 and is driving me nuts with his facial hair. That is the next issue we will be tackling with him.

Thanks everyone for the input!!

[Tina's Tots]

At least I know I am not alone in this! I have a 15 year old son, same problem, he says he doesn't like the feel of water on his skin! Ahhhhhgggggg . . . . (Swimming apparently doesn't count!) He is starting to be interested in girls so maybe that will help. It does seem to be a phase with teenage boys so since most of the men that I know do shower and have good personal hygene, perhaps it is something he will outgrow. His skin is breaking out very bad, which I know is due in part to him not keeping his face clean so that part concerns me. He is a good looking kid and I keep reminding that he will have scars if he doesn't keep his face clean. So far, that doesn't seem to phase him. He only seems to get interested in his hygene when he is going to see a girl.

[ferocity302]

Swimming doesn't count........ playing in the creek or the river doesn't count. LOL

When he does get into the shower he takes a half and hour. It's just no winning.

I'll just keep bugging him and see if he gets tired of hearing my voice.

I just need to get him to start shaving. aaaaarrrrgggghhhhh

[mama3x]

You know I have told my son something like this:

"Do you think I would like to be with a guy who smells funny and doesn't have good hair? And is sloppy?"

"no."

"Do you think girls are interested in boys who don't have decent, clean hair and who smell funny?"

"No."

"Ok, so then..."

Works occasionally. Not always. AH WELL!