Ideally, you should start talking to your child about puberty before they reach it, and before they are a teenager. For example, you should explain that when people go through puberty, their body does things differently than it did before. They will sweat, but now this sweat will be smelly. Not only that, but they will grow hair in new places, and this hair can make that smell worse.
If the person that is going to talk to him isn’t sure what to say, give them a few pointers. Point out that they should be delicate, and try their best not to make your teen feel embarrassed.
Be empathetic and remember that the teenage years can be really tough and confusing. You can say, for example, “I know that it can be really tough at your age, and this may be at the bottom of your list of priorities, but remember that taking care of your hygiene is important. It may seem like a hassle, but being clean and well-groomed will help make you feel more confident in spite of everything going on. ”
If you want a teen to shower regularly, then you need to be in the habit of showering at least as often as you would like them to shower too.
For example, maybe the teen doesn’t enjoy the smell of the products you pick. Allowing them to choose the products is a simple way to let them feel more in control of the situation. When you make a run to the drugstore, ask the teen to go with you. When you get there, ask them to pick out the products they want to use in the shower. To help control the price, tell them they can only pick products that cost under a given limit that you set. If a teen isn’t sure what they should get, you can give them a generic list. For example, you can write on the list, “shampoo, hair conditioner, body wash, deodorant. ” Of course, you can add anything else you think is necessary to the list, but those are some essential items. When they bring you their selections, try not to make comments about their choices. For example, you might think something smells bad or looks stupid, but they chose it, so obviously they don’t. Making comments will only make them feel embarrassed.
You can also apply this to other privileges. If you don’t have wi-fi or if your teen isn’t interested in using the internet, then think of something that they do value. Maybe they enjoy spending their time drawing. In this case, you could take away their art supplies until they’ve showered. When you explain this to your teen, don’t simply say, “You can have the password when you’ve showered” without explaining why it matters. Instead, try saying, “I’ve changed the wi-fi password, so you won’t be able to use the internet until you’ve taken a shower. I want you to learn that you can enjoy privileges once you’ve taken care of your responsibilities. Taking care of your hygiene is one of those responsibilities. [6] X Research source
If a teen was bathing normally but has suddenly stopped, and if you have noticed other symptoms such as moodiness, changes in their school performance or social behavior, or if they have started using drugs or drinking alcohol, then it may be time to seek help from a doctor.
For example, there’s a teen who has very long hair, maybe they aren’t showering because they don’t have time to do their hair afterward. In this case, you could purchase them a shower cap, or suggest that they take a bath on the days that they don’t want to wash their hair. Some people simply don’t need to wash their hair every day. Maybe the young person is having a hard time finding the time to shower. Many teens have a lot on their plates with school, friends, extracurricular activities, and chores. It could be that they feel they can’t find the time. If this is the case, maybe you can help them figure out a way to manage their time better, or even cut out one of their chores so they have 15 extra minutes to shower.
Hopefully, the reason they don’t want to shower will be a fairly straightforward one. For example, if the teen doesn’t like the smell of the products, then you can easily let them pick ones they do want. [7] X Research source On the other hand, if their reason for not showering is more philosophical (e. g. they don’t want to shower because they feel they should be natural, or something like that), then you’re going to have to do a bit more work. You’ll have to spend time educating them on the health implications of poor hygiene and hope that makes sense to them. If it comes to it, you may have to start revoking privileges.
For example, though it may be common to have a “shower inspection” after gym class in some schools, other schools may prohibit such inspections. Some schools may not allow showering at all.
When you talk to your students about showering, you may want to explain that when you say shower, you don’t mean 15 minutes spent washing every inch of their body. A shower after class is simply meant to rinse off the sweat, and shouldn’t take any longer than a couple of minutes. You might also point out to students that showering in front of others may seem a bit awkward at first, but you will get used to it. Remind them that everyone feels self-conscious at first.
For example, the student may have an issue with their body that makes them feel very anxious about taking off their clothes in front of others. There may even be a religious reason they feel they should not shower. Tell students that they should come talk to you in private if they have a reason that they don’t want to shower. If they have a reason, then try to make alternative arrangements. For example, allow them to wash with a washcloth or wear a bathing suit in the shower if they wish. Whether or not you agree with the student’s reason for not wanting to shower, you should try to be sensitive. Don’t tell them something like, “That’s a stupid reason. " If the student came to you it means they trust you to listen without judgment. If you react negatively, that student will likely lose their trust in you and will feel even more self-conscious about their reasons for not wanting to shower in front of others.
If your students are worried about getting their hair wet because they won’t have time to style it the way they like afterward, then suggest that they simply don’t get their hair wet while showering. If they have long hair, they can bring a shower cap, or simply put their hair up in a loose bun, and then let it down when they are done.
For example, teens could use a wash cloth with a bit of soap and water to deal with the smelliest parts (e. g. underarms). Students might also consider using disinfectant wipes. Though this may not be ideal, it could help the situation if showers simply aren’t an option at your school. Don’t forget to remind students to bring a stick of deodorant to use after exercise. Using deodorant whether or not they take a shower is a good idea.
