Teenage Son & Hygiene Issues

Scott is 15 and a freshman in high school. I thought by this age I would no longer have to battle him about washing, but this is still happening. It was cute when he was little (don’t ask me why I thought that) then got annoying when he started puberty and really started sweating a lot, in the 6th grade or so. Now it’s downright disgusting and embarrassing. He thinks nothing of going many days without washing, just getting up, throwing on some clothes, and going off to school. He doesn’t seem to realize how strong body odors have a negative impact on other people. He has also discovered those body sprays like Axe…he seems to think if he just sprays that on it will muffle the stink. It doesn’t! Then you just smell B.O with body spray on it. Yuck!

So I’ve been butting heads with him over this, and getting very frustrated about it. At his age I should not have to manage this; he should be self-directed enough to take a shower or bath without mom and dad telling him to do it. I realized that was a big part of the problem, Brian and I weren’t putting the responsibility of this on him. We decided to do this. We sat down with him and told him he would have to make sure he showered daily on his own, and if we had to remind him 3 times in a row then we would put a chart on a wall that he would have to check off on. We suggested that he start showering at night, that way he wouldn’t have to get up any earlier for school. We asked him if he agreed to do this. He said yes.

So far, so good! I haven’t had to remind him even once this week.

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