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Preteens

Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.

He won't brush his teeth!

2 replies

Campari · 04/04/2012 01:30

I am at a loss with this one. My DS(12) is in most respects a well behaved and considerate boy, but we have one problem - he is very neglectful of his personal hygiene. Every night we have to remind him to brush his teeth, and he says he will, and yet goes straight to bed without even going in the bathroom. Same in the mornings, he doesnt bother.
Today he was sitting with me on the sofa to watch telly and as he was talking I was overwhelmed by his very bad breath, honestly I had to turn away. I reminded him of brushing his teeth and he just says "yeah ok" in a very "can't be bothered" sort of way. It upsets me that he doesn't feel it important to take care of himself, also after PE at school he comes home in his kit and doesnt bother changing, and believe me it is not pleasant, other family members have also told him he needs to wash & change, and yet time and time again we need to prompt him to do this. His idea of being clean is to spray Lynx under his arms!
He washes maybe once a fortnight, this has gone on too far now I am disappointed and sick of having to remind him to carry out very basic hygiene tasks, he is 12 nearly 13 what can I do?

All advice very much appreciated.

OP posts:
SkipTheLightFanjango · 04/04/2012 01:33

No advice..have 12yo ds who is just the same!! Lynx "Dark Temptation" has at least transformed the aroma of his bedroom but, alas, is no cure for the tide mark on his neck! Hopefully they will discover girls (or boys) and will start to care again. Tis a phase Grin

Campari · 04/04/2012 01:48

Worrying thing is he does actually have a girlfriend....so you'd think he'd make an effort. But no Blush

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