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 didn't have a big discussion. I think it starts at a younger age when you encourage your child to shower themselves and be in control of their own hygiene.
I did buy my teenage son a roll on deodorant to use alongside his spray on as he was starting to smell. I just told him to use it as well to keep him smelling fresh, he was happy with that.

Start early making sure basic hygiene habits are reinforced and explain why we need to keep clean. Equip them with the right products ensure boys know how to shave and girls are fully informed about their periods. Having said all this my eldest went through a dreadful phase of being the great unwashed but thankfully grew out of it!!

We started by having jokes about who has smelly feet, who has smelly armpits, why we need anti-persperant etc. I don`t let them use aerosel spray though, much safer with a roll on.

It happens on it's own. They have friends and watch TV shows, internet. These days it's easy for them to teach themselves.

I make sure they bath/shower regularly, wash hair, and for the two that get spots, i hav ebought some anti spot cleansing pads for. I make them wear deodorant and they have perfumes and sprays
Thats more what I would call basic hygiene though.

For self care, I promote an occasional early night/lie in, and some time to bum about. buy books and comics and make sure theyve all got space to themselves. We have things like ear defenders and we sometimes go for walks to recharge.

When my children were unable to bath themselves I made sure I bathed them every single night, I always encourage them to use deodorant too when they were In their teenage years
My sons spend so long In the shower now they must use more water than a bath

i encourage hygiene from an early age so that it just becomes the norm when they grow

Our son is not too bad at hygiene - we did have a talk where I told him that the Lynx over B.O. was a really bad idea - he agreed he said it stank at school after PE lessons when others did that and then sprayed their PE kit and the teacher used to ask them all to wash their kit (apparently some mums only wash them at half-term which made me feel a bit bleuggh because I washed our sons after every wear as he got sweatty at PE).

Dont go over the top with the products - just get them in the shower with that gel or soap (and a gentle facial cleaner) you dont need fancy stuff just the regular cleaning! Our son has especially sweatty feet so the talk was early in his life about the importance of how its bacteria and not his feet that smell and how washing them daily cuts the bacteria down so the smell is not pungent! Same goes for the face - its the bacteria that causes the spots so daily washing helps tremendously but keep it gentle wash not these strip the oils off your face things. I would say for teenagers you just need twice the amount of underwear as if they have done PE at school or have sweatty feet its is nice for them to change into fresh.

and for gods sake stop buying the Lynx stuff - poor PE teachers must be suffering from overdoses from it daily! Our son said one day you could not see from one end of the changing room to the other it was so cloudy!

Make washing and smelling nice normal.
Don't make a silly big hoohah about puberty and changes - just tell them it's time to start using deodorant or nobody will fancy them.
Unless there are underlying issues kids work it out for themselves. Not everything needs to become a Big Thing.

If your children are taught to clean themselves from an early age then it's a lot easier when they become teenagers. Having said that my eldest son was a real nightmare to get into the shower. I'd have to gently remind him to have one! I think that if you don't get angry and stressed with them about it they're more likely to want to take care of themselves.

We teach by example - showering everyday, using deodorant etc

my daughter is 16, she has her own products she chooses herself. i think its important to let the kids choose for themselves products they will like and are suited to them

Encourage them to shower and keep themselves clean from an early age and hope that it continues mentioning that they could be made fun of if they smell bad

I’ve found that as soon as they see what their friends are buying they do the same. It gradually turns into “Can you buy me this or that mum please”

my sons have always been pretty disgusting and had to drag them for baths but i started buying smellies for birthdays and xmas and gave them their own bath shelf each and now they shower daily, they costs me a bomb but at least they are clean ha ha

I cant really remember having a conversation as such, it is something that they pick up from us their parents and their older brothers and sisters as they go along. Start early and then it just becomes second nature

I think setting an example is the best way of introducing it. Then once it becomes apparent that it's needed a low key and kind conversation about the need to keep clean and not smelly, with some products on hand. Over time it's nice to encourage them to choose their own, bit it can be a bit overwhelming to start so some gentle and simple products seem the way to go.

Beginning to start to think about this now. Emphasizing the importance of daily washing, and deodorant.

lead by example, ask them which products they want me to buy, and send them stuff by internet ( you tube videos and hints n tips etc )

my son is 10. i've made him aware that he needs to shower regularly to keep clean. He has started using Body spray as he plays alot of sport and has noticed hes started sweating alot. I've explained B.O isnt nice so its important to keep clean and smell nice x

Make sure they understand the importance of good hygiene, and that there is nothing to be embarrassed about when you discuss body changes. It's normal and natural. Buying them sensitive products and making sure they use them!

Our 6 year (near 7 year old) obviously isn't there yet, although she has developed an early yearning for dressing 'snappily', so not sure it will be too long before we need to start introducing self-care more urgently.

My daughter has done this all on her own! She follows Zoella on YouTube and has been keen to try out all the things she now offers, such as shower gel and shampoo. I think girls do this so much better than boys - my son has to be nagged to have a shower and change his underpants!

My children are adults now. I cannot remember much about introducing them to self care, it just happened gradually and naturally.