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CM CLUB - How do you broach parents about lack of hygiene?

36 replies

LoveMyGirls · 26/11/2007 13:10

I have tried lots of subtle hints, bathing mindee myself (because I can no longer stand the stench) I really wouldn't say anything if it wasn't really bad, how can i very very politly broach this?

I don't want to keep bathing mindee as feel its not my place. Mum seems totally oblivious and claims mindee is bathed daily (not possible)

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LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy · 28/11/2007 20:39

That's disgusting!!!!

MightyMoosh · 28/11/2007 20:37

Difficult one to broach, my mum had a mindee 2 year old girl who wore the same knickers everyday, for months. mum took them off everymorning, put her in others and washed them. they were clearly never washed at home. odd, as the parents were rich and the girl had posh clothes etc.

santaoftheopera · 27/11/2007 18:47

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SweetSnowflake · 27/11/2007 14:27

hmm, see how she comes tomorrow, its swaying back toward hygeine isnt it?

Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 27/11/2007 14:25

No nappies dont smell strong, i'd say all seems normal.

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SweetSnowflake · 27/11/2007 14:23

LMG, my dd has terrible breath at minute when she wakes up cos of her cold..i notice it, not many others do, but the mum cant try that one on!
Glad she smells beter today tho, but from what youve said and others responses, it does sound like infection too?, how has she been today?, does she have many wet nappies and are they very strong smelling?

Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 27/11/2007 13:51

I did ask mum to bath mindee and then see what she thinks the next day and if smells take to gps and if not just to bath more often (though she is saying she already baths mindee once a day) but when i spoke to her it was as if she had no idea the smell was a bad smell perhaps she hadn't noticed because its her own child?

Thanks for sharing your experience santaoftheopera. I'm unsure if it is anything medical but its best to get these things checked out. How did you notice, did you notice yourself or was it pointed out? and if it was pointed out to you how did you take it?

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santaoftheopera · 27/11/2007 13:46

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Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 27/11/2007 13:08

I haven't seen mum as she doesnt do drop off.

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SweetSnowflake · 27/11/2007 10:08

..so shes turned up clean smelling? did mum say anything??

LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy · 27/11/2007 09:44

Interesting!

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LoveMyGirls · 27/11/2007 08:29

Ft.

smells like mindee has been bathed!

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SweetSnowflake · 27/11/2007 08:19

how often do you have mindee LMG?

maximummummy · 26/11/2007 20:34

for a two year old to smell when you are bathing them and using wipes for bum changes is very strange - i think i'd worry it was a sign of kidney problems as i have a mindee with probs and strong smelling wee - also does the child drink eough?

SweetSnowflake · 26/11/2007 20:12

they are not strong english speakers so i couldnt 'just mention' it as i have to explain lots of things in depth, would end up embarrasing i htink??

Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 26/11/2007 20:09

Do you feel able to talk to her mum? perhaps when shes out of ear shot just incase she is sensitive about it.

I know I have to maKE SURE DD1 has bathed everyday and dries herself properly before putting deodarent on and i have to make sure she changes her clothes regularly - if she had her way she would wear the same things everyday!

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LoveMyGirls · 26/11/2007 20:07

I've had a gentle word and hopefully she will take steps to make things better. It's so horrible to have to mention it, i might get this thread deleted as i would be mortified if she happened to come across it but I have found it very useful. Thank you everyone.

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SweetSnowflake · 26/11/2007 19:42

hiya, well my older mindee does wear clean clothes each day, dont know about reg baths?, but think i may buy her a nice 'young designed' smelly set for christmas, maybe impulse or something of the sort?

when she first came, as im so blunt i came out with "whos got smelly feet"? and she said 'its me, ive ahd my trainers on today'..so i was blunt and she was open, so i may just be able to speak to her about it, tricky broaching it tho..but back to the 2yr old, this def needs looking at by gp, does she have more than one child?, its definatly not right!

KaySamuels · 26/11/2007 16:10

My DS is now 3 and only juust out of nappies, I have only bathed him once a week as has bad excema and I tend to wipe him with oilatum emolliant on a cloth rather than bath him. He has never been stinky (I hope)!

Is the mindee getting enough fluids?? I would bring it up as a possible medical concern too rather than hygiene.

LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy · 26/11/2007 16:01

Agree with everyone - as you know, ds (4) gets bathed twice a week otherwise his skin gets bad but he doesn't smell. I'd say it's more a GP thing imo.

MaureenMLovesmincepies · 26/11/2007 14:22

I agree with the majority here. It sounds more like an medical problem than just uncleanliness. Children of that age don't need bathing everyday to prevent smells.

Lazycow · 26/11/2007 14:18

As LMG says, with the 10 year old she does need to start bathing/showering regularly and probably to start using deodorant.

Lazycow · 26/11/2007 14:17

It is more normal for an older child 10-13 years old to smell. This is because they are starting to be pre-pubescent and all those hormones bring with them the smells associated. A very young child (toddler) really should't smell that bad even if they have a bath once a week.

Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 26/11/2007 14:16

It's hard to bring this stuff up because its a very personal thing and you don't want to offend as there is the risk of the child being taken away

With the 10yr old maybe you could take mum to one side and mention perhaps its tiem she looked at getting her dd deodarent as she is developing quickly and also they need bathing daily and fresh deodarent applied daily my dd is 8 and she started gettingsmelly at 7!!! I couldn't believe it but no way would i leave her smelling.

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SweetSnowflake · 26/11/2007 14:09

TBH i have a bit of a prob with an older mindee of mine, shes just gone 10 and has a worsening b.o problem and smelly feet problem, feel awful for her, she doesnt seem to notice but when parents pick their LO up, you acn see them turn their nose up as they come in the playroom...wonder if there are books on this kind of thing?