Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Original poster

To mention to DDs teacher that a classmate appears to have hygiene issues

115 replies

Crazybit · 03/04/2011 13:04

or shall I mind my own business?

DD1 is in year 6 and is always mentioning that a girl in her glass stinks. I feel really sorry for the girl. Her mum doesn't seem the type of person I could approach so would it be really wrong to mention it to DDs teacher and perhaps suggest a little chat with the whole class about the importance of person hygiene? I also wonder if the girl has an infection of some type as DD says she smells of fish and her knickers are often black from urine, I assumed meaning she hasn't wiped after going to the loo.

Or should I keep stum and tell DD to stop being so horrible and keep her mouth shut about it?

OP posts:

PonceyMcPonce · 03/04/2011 13:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GypsyMoth · 03/04/2011 13:06

i am sure the teacher has noticed

FabbyChic · 03/04/2011 13:06

If she smells of fish she could be having periods and not changing her sanitary towels often enough. Someone needs to take the child aside and educate her in changing her sanitary towels.

We had a girl at Junior school who also would smell of fish monthly, used to stink the class out was horrendous.

Reality · 03/04/2011 13:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

worraliberty · 03/04/2011 13:06

Yep, tell your DD to stop being so horrible and keep her mouth shut about it.

It doesn't affect you personally does it? And I assume your DD can stay away from her.

Goblinchild · 03/04/2011 13:07

Do you think the teacher hasn't noticed?
How on earth does your DD know what this girl's underwear is like?

Bogeyface · 03/04/2011 13:08

If your DD has noticed it then it is very likely the school has too and will be monitoring the situation. Keep an eye on it for a few weeks and if nothing improves, then talk to the school.

But definitely have a word with your DD about being kind and not gossiping about this girl, the last thing she needs is the other kids picking on her.

doormat · 03/04/2011 13:08

crazy i think the school will notice...and have acted upon it....poor little thing this is the last thing she needs for ppl to judge her

hecate · 03/04/2011 13:08

I am sure the teacher has noticed if there is a smell. If your daughter can smell it then I assume the teacher can too.

fish smell is that bactirial watsit isn't it? not normal 'dirty fanjo' smell.

It wouldn't hurt to raise it with the teacher. Personal hygiene talks are always useful. But if the child smells really bad - the teacher knows.

colditz · 03/04/2011 13:09

i think, given her age, that this child is having periods and isn't coping.

You SHOULD talk to the teacher, as if your daughter has noticed, the child clearly isn't able to hide it properly.

ALSO tell your daughter to stop talking about it as it's rude to pass personal comments.

Bogeyface · 03/04/2011 13:09

Actually thats a good point about periods, it would explain the "black from urine" comment, although it does beg the question how your DD knows!

Original poster

Crazybit · 03/04/2011 13:09

Goblin, the girls cousin often has her stay over and told DD. Of course I do not know this is the truth.
Oh, a mixture of answers. I have not 'smelt' the girl so I don't know how bad it is, I assume the teacher probably has noticed but is maybe not aware that the other kids have picked up on it. Am worried that she will get bullied over it.

OP posts:

Icelollycraving · 03/04/2011 13:09

Periods at 6? Seriously? God,poor girl! I think have a quiet word with the teacher & say yr d is worried etc. Most kids would ostracise her so a gentle warning to the teacher is a good idea.

PonceyMcPonce · 03/04/2011 13:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FabbyChic · 03/04/2011 13:09

Sorry isn't year six aged 10/11?

Goblinchild · 03/04/2011 13:10

Y6, so 10 going on 11 years old.

PonceyMcPonce · 03/04/2011 13:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

worraliberty · 03/04/2011 13:13

Teachers have a duty of care that involves reporting to the school's Child Protection Officer if they suspect a child is being neglected.

If the Teacher has not done this, it's quite possible the child's cousin is just being really nasty and putting a rumour about that the girls smells.

Once a rumour goes around like that, other kids will say she smells even if she doesn't.

Original poster

Crazybit · 03/04/2011 13:15

Yr 6, so 10/11. DD has said that everyone in the class notices and I have told her to be kind. DD would not say anything to the girl about it, but is obviously something that gets talked about at school as she has mentioned it several times. DD also said that the cousin said it is not period blood, it is definately urine, however not sure how the cousin knows this.

I am not judging her doormat I am trying to work out whether it would help her if I say anything to the teacher or not, and of course, if I did it would be discreet and I would not tell DD that I had done so.

OP posts:

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 03/04/2011 13:15

The teacher knows, but I guess there's a chance she doesn't know that pupils are going home and telling their parents about it.

I don't think the op's dd is necessarily being mean - she might be genuinely worried rather than gossipy. Others will be being mean however, which is why it's a good idea for the op to talk to the teacher.

I wouldn't suggest the teacher does a whole class hygiene discussion prompted by this though- that would backfire horribly for sure.

Original poster

Crazybit · 03/04/2011 13:16

Worraliberty-I don't think the cousin is being nasty. DD comes up and says 'XXX really smelt today..'

OP posts:

complexnumber · 03/04/2011 13:17

Isn't there an illness called, helpfully, Fish Odour Syndrome? I think it can get worse around puberty.

Maybe say to her teacher you are worried about her being ostracized and has she been checked over?

worraliberty · 03/04/2011 13:18

And have a word with the cousin's Mum...with cousins like that who needs enemies?

Original poster

Crazybit · 03/04/2011 13:18

Sorry, i mean DD comes home and says it.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar-I did worry that a class talk could backfire, and all the class look at the poor girl. I think I should pass my concerns onto the teacher, to make her aware that pupils are discussing it and leave it to her to deal with.

OP posts:

worraliberty · 03/04/2011 13:19

You don't think the cousin is being nasty by telling other people about this girl's 'urine stained knickers'???

Bloody hell

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Swipe left for the next trending thread