to buy my son some facewash or at least make him wash!

[catweasel44]

DS1 is 11. He never washes. If I'm lucky I can force him to have a shower once or twice a week. I have made the odd comment that his hair smells

He hasn't started to smell too bad just yet but I'm sure it won't be long. However his face is starting to become spotty across his nose and cheeks. More blackheads than spots. However I'm pretty sure it's due to the muck rather than proper acne.

How is one supposed to approach these things. Leave it until he's conscious of it? Wait until the wallpaper starts to peel of of its own accord due to the smell.

Will I just give him a complex?

DS2 has a half hour shower on a daily basis so I think this is child specific.

My 13yo and 10yo have to shower/bath every day, otherwise they smell. Particularly the 10yo, he is a complete grub, who plays running games like footy/chasing in school any second he gets. he is always filthy and grubby looking.
We had to actually give them a demo of how to use a face cloth, and how to wash their pits properly as they were coming out smelling as bad as they went in.
And they have to use proper deodourant twice a day.
My 5yo has a bath every other day.

Having a shower or strip wash every day is non negotiable (face, pits, bits)

I may have exaggerated slightly. DS2 doesn't spend half an hour in the shower but he really would if I let him. He enjoys having a shower or bath and sees it as high point of his day.

DS1, not so much. I'm on regular sniff alert and can confirm that he doesn't smell at the moment.

He plays Rugby twice a week so showers after that - and I might get another one out of him if I'm lucky.

Mine have been having daily showers since they were year 5/6. It's a good habit to get them into. I got a bit of kick back at first but it's second nature now to have a shower before you leave the house. (I'm less successful with twice daily teeth brushing though).

Taking care of Personal hygeine is a life skill and it's my job to teach them. Much better for me to tell them they smell than the kids at school/boss in their first job.

Mine were all taught it's not optional, they need to shower daily. Dd is the youngest and was the worst to get to comply.
But I still make her go and shower, no one wants to be the smelly kid at school. Same goes fr teeth brushing. She started to get a bit spotty at 11 (she's about to turn 13) I bought her the face wipes from Home bargains, and remind her to use them each morning. She's getting better I only have to remind occasionally, then she does the eye roll.

the overpowering smells of Lynx shower gel & body spray

These products are sold in the US under the brand name Axe and are strangely favored by teenage boys. They have been forever banned from our house.

I think this is an age/developmental stage thing & all part of turning in to an adult.

I would negotiate certain days to shower/hair wash (obviously teeth & face washing etc daily not optional 😉) & as they get older & more interested in relationships they will wash!!

I would also point out, diplomatically, if they were smelly as this could result in negative attention at school (bullying & such).

Seems to work with my two kids 😊

What helps is to let him choose which shower gel and shampoo he wants to use.

And then very regular reminders, incl telling him straight when looks greasy, he is gett8ng ‘smelly’ etc...
Because if you ca;see/smell it, so are his friends and other children at school....

These products are sold in the US under the brand name Axe and are strangely favored by teenage boys.

'Axe' is regularly found on market stalls here thus implying it is some hookey version.

the overpowering smells of Lynx shower gel & body spray

These products are sold in the US under the brand name Axe

I just call it "girl repellent".

'Axe' is regularly found on market stalls here thus implying it is some hookey version.

I think someone has found a way to bring it in from the US on the cheap, but that it's exactly what's sold as Lynx in Blighty.

I just call it "girl repellent"

Even DS figured this out when his younger sister had a chat with him about it. He has grown into a very good looking young man at 17 and has been rowing crew for two years, so is in excellent shape. He has no problem getting attention from the young ladies.

Lynx shower gel and deodorant purchased, along with some sensitive face wash.

Let’s see how long it lasts.

It's called Axe in continentel Europe as well so it might not have come from very far.

As an older child I feel that he needs a shower every day.

Axe is the global name for the brand. It only goes by Lynx in the UK afaik. Probably to do with the axe name already being copywrited here.

Many Unilever brands are the same. Wall's ice cream for example goes by about 20 names world wide.

Just tell him. Get up, have shower, get dressed. Part of the daily routine.....I promise you, he’ll need it once the teenage sweaty, sporty, spotty, hormonal delights start.

Oh, once hormonal, he’ll need antiperspirant not deodorant. Sure works for mine.

Lynx shower gel and deodorant purchased

If the smell of the Lynx drives you to open all the windows and order your son to stand in the garden, I have an alternative.

Dove Mens Care Plus

This is what my son has been using since we binned and banned the Axe/Lynx products. It smells much better.

If the Lynx is all you can get him to use, best of luck to you. It's better than being dirty.