Mumsnet users tell Dove how they introduce a self-care routine to teenagers

[EllieMumsnet]

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Before puberty hits, body odour isn't really a thing - ah remember the joy of rarely washing hair, not thinking about the comparative benefits of soap and bodywash, and being utterly ignorant of the verb 'to exfoliate'? - but all too soon that comes to an end. Trying to introduce a self-care routine for the first time to your children can be a tricky subject to navigate, which is why Dove would love to know your experiences and tips for how to have the conversation with your teenagers and how you went about picking products for them e.g. deodorant.

Here’s what Dove has to say: “At Dove we know that you want to give the best support to your teenagers as they go through the emotional, physical and hormonal changes of puberty. It can be a sensitive time and your relationship with them goes through changes too. They still need their parents’ care – just a different kind of care to when they were younger, one that spans both practical help and emotional support. We are interested in hearing how you approach conversations about introducing a self-care routine with your teenagers, especially when it comes to deodorants and body odour.”

Did you have conversations with your DC as and when body and hormonal changes were occuring? Perhaps you did a lot of research into trying to find the right products for your child to use? If you found any great products, such as the perfect deodorant, please do share them! What age was your child when you first started to have conversations about self-care with them? How did you bring it up?

However you introduced a self-care routine to your DC and whatever products you bought/used, share them on the thread below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one winner will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

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I think you just gradually add parts to their normal routine - using deodorant, then face cleansing routine. Our children have had roughly the same nightly routine since they first slept through the night, it just needs adapting a little now and then

Having an honest chat

I think it's partly a gradual progression from handing over bathing etc from childhood and partly a chat about puberty and body changes and also getting them interested in what kind of self-care products they like themselves.

I let them choose their own products so they enjoy using them.

I lead by example and talk about the importance of both mental and physical self care x

With DD it was never a problem she was obsessed with her personal hygiene from an early age. DS has ASD and ADHD has just started puberty and it is a total battle every single day. At the moment it is bribery, you can't go out unless you shower and clean your teeth etc, but he'll even forego going out if he's not in the mood. Have just had to change him from aerosol anti-perspirant to roll ons, as he was spraying so much product we were all choking, but he says he doesn't want to smell. Still not quite grasping that a daily shower would prevent any body odour!

I think it is something that naturally happens

Obviously starting from an early age is the key. I do not have teenagers. However I am always saying to my six year old and toddler the importance of hygiene and about germs. Brushing their teeth, washing etc and my rule of not having food upstairs. Sp they already understand the importance of it all.

Start way before their teenagers. Encourage learning new skills and age appropriate independence throughout their childhood

We started by making sure we do it at the same time each night as it made it easier. Clean teeth, wash face and put on moisturiser as my daughter has dry skin. It seems to be working.

My daughter is fast approaching the teen years, but at the moment has little interest in self-care, which is so frustrating as she has always suffered with eczema and it is important that this is kept on top of!

I am starting to introduce products like gentle face wipes to her, but she generally just isn't interested. We aren't at the deodorant stage yet thankfully.

Good hygiene should be learned all through childhood! Letting your children choose their own products at the supermarket with maybe a few helpful hints puts the responsibility on them to start to figure these things out!

I have the talk with my children when the time is right, it isn't usually a big deal as they are taught about personal hygiene from a young age. In the past I have taken my children shopping to buy personal care items and let it take as long as it needs to. We have also bought travel size hygiene products as testers, as I do believe if they have input into what they use, they will engage with it more. They are becoming young adults and need to be treated as such so allowing them to make the decision on what they use is a very responsible decision for them to make. I will soon be doing it with my youngest daughter.

Set an example as they are growing up - nothing needs to change on the day they turn 13

I think you can encourage self care from an early age so that it comes naturally - but their peers have more and more influence they become more self aware. Asking before each shopping trip if there are any toiletries they need and trial and error with various products.

Buy them nice toiletries and explain how a good hygiene is important

my children are very good at asking for advise so I was able to talk to them easily about this stage of their lives and understood what they were going through.

I had a subtle way of getting my son to have a shower and he tried several types of deodorants before he found one that worked

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I think the importance of self-care needs to be drummed in from an early age. But when my step child started to need deodorant his dad took him to the shop so that they could have a sniff of them all to see which one he liked best. It was a nice little bonding experience for them!

I've shown my daughter how to wash from a very early age.. she knows I use deodrant and asks when she will need it.. explained to her that in a couple of years she will also be using it.. She showers pretty much independently and washes herself well.

My dc aren't at this stage but I remember my parents (well my mum really tbh!) just started buying me a roll on deodorant at some point without much conversation just here you go have this now!

It's important to discuss these matter with them as it would be awful if they were shunned by people because of BO. When I was working my friend had it really badly & my boss asked me to talk to her about it. It was a very difficult conversation so it's better to stop it in advance

Buy indulgent toiletries and encourage them to try different products, bath bombs and different natural fragranced products then comment on how lovely and fresh they smell

I created an 'Adult Basket' and included things like deodorant, face masks, moisturizers, cleansers, razors, bubble bath, shower gel, exfoliator, etc then I made a table of 'how to use' and 'how often' which my daughter then stuck up in her bathroom. She loves it, it's been 6 months and she's sticking to it really well