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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Boys and lack of pride in their appearance!

12 replies

RachRach · 31/08/2011 17:32

My son (who is almost 13) and I are constantly locking horns because when he goes out (other than the park or a mates house) I expect him to make a bit of effort and have a little bit of pride in his appearance. He went to the cinema yesterday with some friends and he looked lovely from the waist up, but his shorts had holes in them so I told him he had to change which ensued in a lot of sulking etc... He just doesn't seem to get it - heeeeeeeeeeeeelp!!!

OP posts:
SecretSquirrels · 31/08/2011 17:53

Relax, it's not important enough to fall out about.
Soon he will discover girls and then he will be hours getting ready.

GnomeDePlume · 31/08/2011 20:53

Similar here. Thankfully DS has two sisters who help to make sure he is tolerably dressed.

I dont get the whole not washing thing. DS will sometimes forget to wash his hair while having a shower. How is that possible? What on earth does he think he got into the shower for? He can also forget to brush his teeth! Again, how? Isnt the mouth tasting like the bottom of the proverbial parrot's cage a clue?

I just hope he gets a girlfriend soon.

In the mean time he has to live with the constant reminders.

'Go and have a shower and wash in it!'
'Have you brushed your teeth? Well go and do it'

SecretSquirrels · 01/09/2011 19:40

DS2 is perfectly capable of having a bath, soaking for half an hour while reading his book and then.....forgetting to get washed.

GnomeDePlume · 02/09/2011 20:58

I suppose the thing is for boys at this age it really doesnt matter to them. They have no idea why anyone in their right mind would want to waste valuable xbox/ps2/wii/ds/reading time on something so tedious as washing. They just dont get it.

Georgelassosthemoon · 04/09/2011 20:15

DS (13) won't shower unless nagged but sprays Lynx and Old Spice around as if it's going out of fashion.

AMumInScotland · 05/09/2011 14:26

If his shorts have (non-designer) holes in them, bin them when they next come round in the wash. Same with anything too small or too worn out to be even vaguely acceptable.

Then just leave him to it if he is clean, except for weddings and funerals. You can't force your own ideas of what "taking pride in your appearance" ought to mean to other people.

Pootles2010 · 05/09/2011 14:29

If he won't tuck his shirts in you can sew lace along the bottom of them.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 05/09/2011 14:32

PMSL @ lace! Mine are past that age now, but my DN aren't.

Pootles2010 · 05/09/2011 14:36

It's a good one isn't it! Not mine I'm afraid (mine's only 1) but from an older mum with 4 teenage boys

JohnniesBitch · 07/09/2011 13:40

ds1 drives me mad, hes 14 and will spend ages choosing the right t-shirt and jeans to wear with the right shoes/trainers, but he will forget to wash his hair with shampoo or brush his teeth???
The worrying thing is its not changed even though he has had a girlfriend for the last 4 months, I can only assume that they don't kiss or if they do its a chaste peck on the lips (thank goodness) or he chews gum before.

theredhen · 07/09/2011 22:14

Yep, I too have a similar son. Sigh. As Gnome says above, he doesn't see the point in wasting valuable gaming time doing something tedious like washing!

Throw out any clothes with holes in if you don't want him fishing them out every single time and generally DS will wear what comes first out of the draw, so you could try strategically placing preferred items in prime position in his chest of drawers or wardrobe. Wink

Original poster
RachRach · 10/09/2011 15:36

Cheers everyone for your input - great to know it's not just me that's got a grotty little bugger for a son LOL! X

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