How do you get your teenagers to take proper care of their personal hygiene? DS (16) just doesn't care. He will skip tooth brushing, his nails are often long and his hair hasn't been cut since before lockdown. He often wears dirty clothes and thinks a quick roll of deodorant is enough.
I'm at my wits end. He's really struggled with his mental health and has not been in school, or out much at all, for two years. He's better now because there are no demands on him, but if I broach the hygiene issue he gets very defensive and tells me it's nothing to do with me.
He starts college in September, and I'm worried he'll struggle to fit in. It's hard enough anyway, with all the new faces and environment, but I don't want him to be judged as grotty.
When he was a child I used to bath him and dress him, but obviously I can't do that now. He has really long showers but I suspect he dodges the soap and shampoo when he's in there, even when I remind him.
It makes me sad, but as he correctly says, it's not about me.