To start letting my child use deodorant, even though they don't need it?

[Porthcurnoqueen]

I feel a bit out my my depth with this growing up malarkey.

My child has just turned 10 and keeps asking to get some deodorant.

The whole class is going on a residential this Autumn and apparently their teacher told them they'll need deodorant as they'll all stink after a busy day.

My dc doesn't need deodorant yet, they haven't hit puberty, don't smell, even after doing sports, don't really even sweat very much.

We had a bit of a stand off in Boots today with dc begging for deodorant and me saying they don't need it yet.

Happy he's a ds, but yes you are right about girls needing sanitary towels before they actually start their periods, that wasn't a good example.

I did get the deodorant, sounds like I did the right thing.

My DM really struggled to get me to remember to put on deodorant when I was in early puberty so I'd count yourself lucky your DC is more responsible than me

If the teacher is anything like the one who leads our residentials, they have seen it all and have years of experience. I'd happily take their suggestion on what to pack for the children. It doesn't do any harm and it's important to 10yos to feel like they fit in. I have a 10yo of my own and know the battles too.

It's a small can of deodorant, the teacher didn't ask for each pupil to take a litre of white lightning on the residential
They will be interested with it for about 5 minutes and you'll be practically caking them in the stuff when they're 15

Telling children they need to use deodorant is outside there remit.

Year 6 kids STINK! Not outside their remit at all

I got my ds (10) a body spray...he doesn't smell yet but I wanted him to have it in case he wanted to put it in his pe kit or football bag. Honestly op, I'd just get it for him.

I had the unpleasant experience of spent g a whole day in the school IT room- no windows!
KS1 children fart continuously, KS2 stick of BO!

Children smell

I'm not upset with the teacher, I couldn't care less, the teacher apparently said that to the whole class and it might have planted the idea in my dcs head.

The sanitary towel analogy was stupid because of course girls need a stock of sanitary protection.

Of course I understand he wants to feel grown up and fit in if other classmates use it. I suppose there's no real harm if he'll be needing it before long anyway.

He picked up roll on because that's what you are allowed at school. I suspect he'd have preferred a can of flyspray Lynx to choke us all with!

Completely agree teachers can and should tell a child they need deodorant. Ideally parents would notice first of course! I constantly ask my 10 year old but wasn't till his teacher reminded him that he does it automatically now.

OP sounds like you've done the right thing BTW. They tease each other about all sorts of inconsequential shit, don't they.

I use Bionsen. Deodorant but not antiperspirant. There's a stick, spray & roll-on.

had the unpleasant experience of spent g a whole day in the school IT room- no windows!
KS1 children fart continuously, KS2 stick of BO!

Children smell

Completely besides the point but that made me snigger.
Agree with PP, it’ll be a good habit to get into while DC is willing.

Porth you definitely did the right thing.

I have two ten year olds. My DS plays several sports. He went from
“Doesn’t sweat much doesn’t smell” to “sweats like an adult, smells like an adult” overnight.

Believe me when I say that we prioritised a shopping trip for deodorant. (and he loves a shower so it’s not like he wasn’t washing).

“The teacher needs to be given words of advice.
Telling children they need to use deodorant is outside there remit.
You should inform the head teacher regarding thie inappropriate instruction and get it rescinded now.”

Probably one of the daftest posts i’ve Ever read.