Children Argue About Taking Showers.

I don't have children those ages yet, but I did have a younger brother who went through that stage. I think what you told them about there friends not wanting to hang around because they smell bad will probably do the trick, as at that age friends mean everything.
I also noticed you are a transcriber, on the look out for something better. I have a wonderful jewelry business I would love to share with you if you are interested. Good Luck

I have the same problem with my 13 year old son, but once he's in he takes forever getting out! I think its "normal" if annoying.

What about putting next to the schedule and item they enjoy, for ex: IPOD or TV, phone and tell them if there is an argument that day, this item gets taken away. Do you have a shower radio? Do you transcribe for MMH?

You too?! My children are 10 (almost 11) and 13. Usually I have them take a shower every other night, during the winter, unless they have hockey practice/game.

Let them go without a shower and when their friends complain that they smell, they will be more inclined to take a shower. That is why I don't fight my kids all the time.

For example,my son would wear clothes that I felt didn't match. Another mom told me, let him wear what he wants. When kids start making comments that his clothes don't match, he will be more conscious of it and match his clothes better. It worked!

In your "A little about me" you mentioned that you are a spiritual person. That is wonderful! Also you said that you are a part time transcriber, but always on the lookout for something better. Are you looking for something in particular?

M.

We were youth counselors for 10 years and I remember every year at camp we always had to MAKE the preteen/jr high kids take showers, especially the boys. The girls seemed to grow out of that phase pretty quick, but we always had a problem with the boys:-) So, this too shall pass:-)

It's very normal for kids to not want to shower. It's a control thing they have going against their parents. My 13 year old and her friends have done this, so I know how frustrating it is. A couple of things I've told my daughter which worked, that you can try on your kids, here it goes: 1. Your body is changing and going through puberty--you will smell bad more and you don't want boys/girls to find you stinky and unattractive do you? 2. You know, mom gave you great baths when you were little, your hair smelled good and so did the rest of you--haven't you learned anything from me? Can you bathe yourself better than I did you?

All of the parents I know agree that one way to see if you can break this habit is by taking away privileges such as phone use and computer privileges--if it gets too bad. My one friend told her son he didn't have to shower if he didn't want to, but since his clothes would smell worse, she put a hamper in his room so he could then keep his dirty clothes with him and he had to wash his own clothes--he made a quick turnaround in 2 days.

Hope this helps,

MC

I'd say this is pretty normal on both sides of the gender fence. Just keep at it. Time (or maturity) will prevail!

:)

And for the mom who asked, SAHM means Stay-At-Home-Mom

Good Luck!

Jeanette,
(my mom's name too; spelled the same way!)

This is just hormones. They've reached that age where they are very critical of their peers and moms/dads are 'like wow! so like weird!!!'
The onslaught of the teenage years.
Good luck. I've got 3 sons and I survived their teen years.

Well, if they are girls, I say that would be unusual. My 13 yr. old DD always wants to take showers--more than needed even. My 10 yr. ol DS on the other had will argue with me, but I just stay firm. I make him take one every night in the spring, Summer, and Fall--then in ther Winter every other night--but on the off nights he still will have to do a small wash up--face,underarms, feet:)

Hi J.,

I don't really have any advice for you, wish I did. But I want you to know it is normal. I have a 10 1/2 yr old daughter that would go an entire week without showering if I would let her. I too thought it was just her. Wrong, the more people I talk to they have the same problems with their kids. She is in competitive cheer, and sometimes practices for 3hrs at a time. When she comes home she has worked up a sweat. She does not care, she will argue and argue with me to not take a shower. She told me it is a waste of her time to shower that she has better things to do than shower. I have found quit a few other girls that she cheers with that feel the same. I also have a son that is almost 14. When he was almost 13 I did not even have to tell him anymore, he would just go take a shower when he got home or before bed. It is rare if he does not take one every single day. So they do out grow that stage. Just like everything else, it will happen at different times for all of them. Good Luck, I know how you feel and it drives you totaly insane. It does me anyway.

P.s I noticed that you do transcription. I am going to school for that, any advice you have would be really helpful. Thanks

Hi J.,
My son is much younger but what I do with him is when I ask him to clean his room I tell him he has to do it before a certain time. If he doesn't do it then something is taken away. Just the other day I asked him to clean his room. I told him he had until 4. He waited until 3:30 but he got it done. I think giving him some control over what I want him to do makes us have less arguments. There have been times that his T.V. time was taken away. I don't know if it will work for your older ones. Good luck.
Chris

are they boys or girls

HiJeanette,

My kids are now 21 & 16, but when they were younger, we had some issues with the shower. My 21 yo son wanted to shower 2-3x's/day. My 16 yo dau. on the other hand would not. I focused on the higiene thing and the smell that other kids would notice, in addition to her greasy hair! After about 6 months it worked (or she matured) and it was not an issue.

What is SAHM?

I am a Christian and seek out those that are seeking to know more about Him. Let me know what questions you may have. I live in Hamburg, MI. V.

I this this stage is so funny. I am only 23 so I do not have children in that stage yet, but I remember when my brothers went through it. I have 4 younger brothers and I can remember them trying to get out of taking a shower even though they smelled since they had started to sweat under their arms etc... and when they would get out they had no interest in doing their hair, or matching their clothes, nothing to do with personal hygiene, or their appearance. NOW... they shower every day or twice a day if they even think that they sweat doing some sort of activity, they are very conscience of their appearance and smell.

So all that to say that this stage will pass, since your son is 12 it will probably be next year when he starts wanting to look/smell nice. Don't worry. As for now, I really don't have any suggestions though. Sorry.

B.