Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think not on for teacher to ask us to take in deodrant for after pe?

61 replies

Blossomhill · 11/09/2007 21:41

Sorry not sure if I spelt deodrant right. Anyway I digress....
Just been to ds's meet the teacher and one of the requests was to make sure we take in deodrant for after pe and swimming. This was because some of them were developing and obviously ponging. I just found this a strange request. Only because although my ds does have slight bo. Now we use deodrant soap and he baths every night so actually as long as he does that he is ok. I don't want to start spraying chemicals under his arms at 9 and feel annoyed that I have almost been told to iykwim!

OP posts:
maisym · 11/09/2007 21:42

seems a bit young for this - washing should be enough - perhaps some of the other kids just don't wash.

2shoesdad · 11/09/2007 21:43

ds started using it about then as I noticed a bit of a pong
I suppose they can't just single the whiffy ones out. but don't send a spray in. as the boys tend to end up spraying them all over the place.
i used to get a non smelly one

JackieNo · 11/09/2007 21:44

If you have to take something in, you can get a more natural one, that isn't an anti-perspirant. At least you won't have to worry about the chemicals then (still a bit at the request though)

elasticbandstand · 11/09/2007 21:44

a stick is better than a spray

LittleBella · 11/09/2007 21:45

You can get crystal deodorant whcih isn't chemical and should be perfectly adequate for a whiffy 9 year old

But if your child doesn't smell and is OK without deod. just don't send it in.

elasticbandstand · 11/09/2007 21:45

mine wanted to, we werent asked, just say no, if he doesnt need it

JackieNo · 11/09/2007 21:46

And roll-on rather than spray? Or solid stick? DH uses this (last but one on the list) and it seems to work well.

LittleBella · 11/09/2007 21:46

Agree they probably had to have a blanket request because they can't humiliate a couple of kids who do whiff. But presumably they'll trust you to know whether your child needs it or not.(Though why I'm saying that I don't know, schools don't trust parents on other issues, so why on this one. But anyway, it's best to presume they trust you...)

Original poster
Blossomhill · 11/09/2007 21:47

IMO spraying over bo without washing makes it pong more?

OP posts:
Jackstini · 11/09/2007 21:50

You could try a natural crystal one Blossom
Presumed they washed after PE - no?

NKF · 11/09/2007 21:50

I don't know when it is that children start smelling but, at some point, they do. And perhaps 30 sweaty 11-year-olds sitting in class is no fun for anyone.

JackieNo · 11/09/2007 21:51

Imagine half that 30 sweaty 11 year olds with Lynx on.

JackieNo · 11/09/2007 21:51

half those 30...

Hulababy · 11/09/2007 21:52

If you do decide to get one why not try a crystal type one, more natural.

EscapeFrom · 11/09/2007 21:52

Quite a lot of 9yos have to use deodorant to avoid sinking to high heaven, especially the girls, IMO, and they can't line them up for pit checks. 9 is the onset of puberty for many kids.

NKF · 11/09/2007 21:53

No, not nice. Lynx best avoided.

pointydog · 11/09/2007 22:01

My 8 year old dd is whiffy and I've been encouraging her to use deodorant for the past few months.

The teacher will notice smells and will see other children noticing and making comments. I think it's good for her to be so up front. It's those sorts of little things that can save a little misery.

Original poster
Blossomhill · 11/09/2007 22:17

It is I agree. On the other hand teachers cannot point out if a child has headlice so for me say thing? Infact headlice far worse.
I just think that it would be like saying remember shampoo for greasy hair.
My ds baths every day and is very clean. Whether he uses deo or not is surely my decision.

OP posts:
pointydog · 11/09/2007 22:24

It is your decision, yes.

The school could notify everyone of a headlice outbreak and that's what's happening with the deodorant. Informing everyone that b.o. may be an issue. There are obviously some children in teh class who would benefit from deodorant at some stage and I think it's right that parents are made aware of that.

cece · 11/09/2007 22:30

Have you ever smelt a classroom of whiffy junior kids? Lovely

handlemecarefully · 11/09/2007 22:32

[Ignorant emoticon] - what is wrong with deoderant? Are there harmful ingredients in it?

EscapeFrom · 11/09/2007 22:33

But BH, some parents are braibnless, and wouldn't think to give a pongy child deodorant. The school aren't allowed to only send letters to those parents, so you get the "Don't forget to open your eyes when you wake up in the morning"

I got a letter advising me to 'cross the road with the crossing lady to avoid the road works'.

And I thought "Fuck off! I am twenty seven years old, I decide where to cross the damn road!"

but in hindsight, they have to allow for idiots.

4mum · 11/09/2007 22:50

same message at our school,surely primary school is too young.

CitizenColditz · 11/09/2007 23:12

It's not too young for one kid to be smelly, the other kids to notice, and cue 5 years of bullying that may have been prevented.

GessGalloway · 11/09/2007 23:31

Get the Lush powder one (MrT or something?). It looks like talc.