Preteens
Time for deodorant?
Toothsil · 09/04/2020 16:01
I thought I got a slight whiff of BO this morning when my 10 year old DD was giving me a cuddle (she was still in her PJ's). I've just put her PJ's is into the wash and had a sniff and there's definitely a slight smell on the armpits. She's not showing any other signs of puberty at all but she is well prepared for what to expect.
My question is though, how do I suggest deodorant without saying to her that I can smell anything? She would get very embarrassed if she thought she smelt at all. She had a bath yesterday morning rather than last night but she is very good at washing properly.
OhLook · 09/04/2020 16:04
Just tell her she's at the age she needs to start wearing it.
My 8 year old DD (who is a very skinny fussy eater) has awful BO now. She isn't showing any other signs of puberty.
TheShoesa · 09/04/2020 16:08
I remember with ds, I just told him (gently, but honestly) that he smelt unpleasant. While he was still at primary, we used one of the salt crystal type deodorants which worked well. Once he got a bit older he preferred the scented type and I wasn't so bothered about the use of chemicals on his skin.
AvoidingRealHumans · 09/04/2020 16:09
When I had my niece staying with me and smelt the start of bo I got her a bottle of deodorant and just said that as she's 10 now she needs to use this every day. I didn't go into that I could smell her, she took my word and used it. Its nothing to be embarrassed of
BakewellGin1 · 09/04/2020 16:13
Just say it's part of keeping clean and hygienic.. My DS doesn't appear to need it yet at 11 but he is told to bath/shower daily then spray deodorant, brush teeth, hair and keep his nails trimmed. Am hoping by starting good habits it will continue through his teenage years.
nettytree · 09/04/2020 16:22
My 10 year old has started growing hair in her armpits etc. I bought her a electric razor and deodorant today in sainsburys. It was part of my normal shop...nit a special trip made. I can't seem to get my 13yr boy to use it tho.
Fsid00 · 09/04/2020 16:53
My 7 year old DD has recently started having body odour. I hadn't realised it could start so young! I tried dove deodorant on her and she came out in a rash.
So I bought this for her. It's 100% natural crystal. You wet it and apply to the armpits. I have no idea how it works but it does. Just an idea if your DD has sensitive skin like mine.
Fsid00 · 09/04/2020 16:55
Forgot to add that I didn't make a big deal with my daughter. I just told her we wear it as we get older to stay fresh. She didn't question it.
Toothsil · 09/04/2020 18:49
Thank you everybody. She's not embarrassed about any aspects of puberty and talks openly about periods etc, I just know that she would be embarrassed if I said she smelt, she gets very self conscious about anything at all that draws attention to her and she would be horrified to think she smelt, I was just looking for a nice way to approach it without embarrassing her.
Thank you for the deodorant recommendations, I think I'll just go down the route of saying that it's part of keeping clean and hygienic.
Oblomov20 · 01/06/2020 05:10
I have to hassle Ds2 about it. He plays football 3 or 4 times a week and washes then.
But he shows no 'interest' in personal care. It's not inherent. Shouldn't it be?
I'm forever having to hassle him : to put his clothes in the washing basket ; why are you wearing that top again it's got a stain ; have you brushed your teeth?
because he just doesn't seem to notice or doesn't seem to care. And that bothers me.
I don't want him starting secondary and ...... getting a reputation for smelly breath etc.
karenmiriam · 01/06/2020 23:17
I'd say that you should just introduce her into it explaining how she's at the right age to start experimenting with ways to smell different.
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