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Teenagers

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

Original poster

How long does your teen spend in the shower *light hearted*

35 replies

lifestooshortandsoami · 17/03/2019 19:02

This is a constant discussion in our house with two 13 year olds! One ds and one dd.

Dd spends a long time in the shower... she does have very long fine hair which tangles easily so struggles to wash it quickly. However she can be over 15-20 minutes.

Ds doesn’t spend as long but can be a good 10 mins.

Dh is losing patience and thinks it should be 10 mins max.

So how long does your teen take to shower and any tips to help them speed up???

OP posts:
FuckSakeFelicia · 17/03/2019 19:06

I dunno but for me to get washed, quick shave of the necessities and wash my hair twice it takes me twenty minutes 🤷🏽‍♀️

Well twenty minutes in the morning when I'm half asleep. Maybe fifteen in the evening if I'm a bit more "with it"

Nala8 · 17/03/2019 19:06

When I was a teenager I used to spend a good 25-30 minutes in the shower my poor parents ShockGrin

whiskeysourpuss · 17/03/2019 19:09

DD(17) spends a good half hour in the shower if she's washing her hair, 20mins if she isn't - if she wants a bath then the bathroom is out of action for at least an hour!

DS(11) spends around 20-30mins in the shower once I've spent an hour moaning that he needs to get in the damn thing

Samind · 17/03/2019 19:09

Yeah I'm late 20s and still enjoy a long shower. Honestly I think it's good they're personal hygiene orientated as some teens aren't bothered 😂 I'd let whoever is going to be out quickest go first if that's the problem or is it just the time they're in is causing the issue?

screamifyouwant · 17/03/2019 19:16

My ds 20 spends about 15-20 minutes and will shower twice a day . I've told him at least 1 of those showers must be a quick one as no need to wash hair . I mean really what takes so long Hmm

chemenger · 17/03/2019 19:19

It really depends how long it takes for the hot water to run out.

MollyHuaCha · 17/03/2019 19:19

40 mins has been known here.

Discoshoes · 17/03/2019 19:19

Dd1 and DS in and out in five or ten minutes.
DD2 45 minutes has been known!!!Hmm

Sadik · 17/03/2019 19:29

Less time than my DP Grin

She does a lot of the wood chopping and carrying though for the Rayburn, so trained from an early age in long shower = more work. (DP has crappy electric shower at home and is happy to split piles of wood so I forgive him his tendency to vanish into the bathroom for hours!)

ifoundthebread · 17/03/2019 19:34

Even now at nearly 30 I enjoy having a shower, will be at least half an hour. When I was younger it was the only escape I had from my parents so would spend as long as possible in there and I've never grown out of taking so long. If needs be though I can be in and out in less than 5.

Original poster
lifestooshortandsoami · 18/03/2019 08:07

Thank you for all your replies!!

In all honesty I’m not bothered how long it takes dd unless we’re waiting for her! It is frustrating sometimes though as it’s the only bathroom.

For some reason it really annoys dh and he goes on and on about how long she’s been in the shower.

I don’t think he understand girls though because whilst he’s great with her I can see the frustrations he has with her as she’s getting older which he just doesn’t ‘get’ what she might want to do? He also whinged about how much shampoo she used?! I pointed out she would use a lot more than him as she has a lot more hair (hers is down to her bum). He does suffer from anxiety and depression and can sometimes worry about things I don’t even notice though so that probably doesn’t help?

Oh and the hot water doesn’t run out so that isn’t a factor Grin. I think it’s more the fact that even if we tell her to be quick she can’t be- she’s not being slow on purpose she’s just a slow person and doesn’t seem to do ‘rushing’! Am glad I posted though as he was talking as if no one else would take that long but clearlynits not just her!

OP posts:
Zoflorabore · 18/03/2019 08:12

Ooh I've had this discussion today with ds (16) as he takes so bloody long and it's he's recently upped to 2 showers a day and a beauty regime to put me to shame!
At least 20-30 minutes a time. Then 10 minutes applying his lotions and potions and then his hair.
I get in and have a cats lick and out Grin

Zoflorabore · 18/03/2019 08:14

Ps forgot to add that I went to Superdrug last week to top up what ds needs and spent £31. I didn't realise boys could be so expensive, he goes through a bottle of L'Oreal men's shower gel in 3 days.

greenelephantscarf · 18/03/2019 08:14

either seconds, not using soap Hmm
or 15 min plus (soap still thought of as optional)

Evenstar · 18/03/2019 08:17

We have a timer and only 10 minutes allowed here. Only one DS left at home now, but two of the four older DC had to be told firmly that with one bathroom and the cost 30-45 minutes was not acceptable!

QueenAnneBoleyn · 18/03/2019 08:19

DSD 1 normally 45 minutes if washing her hair. DH gets exasperated with her every time.
DSD 2 literally a minute sometimes. I often wonder if she steps into the shower, does a 360 turn and steps back out! 😁

HalfBloodPrincess · 18/03/2019 08:23

Dd(15) about 10 minutes twice a day.

Ds(14) averages about 10 minutes a week

ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 18/03/2019 08:26

I don't think she is spending an excessive amount of time in the shower. At a similar age, shorter but thicker hair I prob took 15-20 mins.

Don't let his MH cloud your view of him. It's amazon. How many people will allow it as an excuse for behaviour. I have MH issue so not judging.

Don't let him moan at her for it. She is doing necessary personal hygiene. She shouldn't be made to feel she is taking too long, wasting water etc.

Ragwort · 18/03/2019 08:27

I just can’t imagine spending over 20 minutes in a shower, don’t you get bored? How can it possibly take that long, and the amount of water used must be horrendous.
I can understand talking longer in a bath, you can read, have a glass of wine etc Grin but a shower, including washing my long hair, would take max 5 minutes.
My teenage DS usually prefers a bath, and he does laze in the bath, but when he has a shower he is in and out in 3 minutes.

BertrandRussell · 18/03/2019 08:28

If there’s a separate loo and the hot water isn’t an issue, why is it s problem?

poobumwee · 18/03/2019 08:29

I'd be thrilled if my 12 year old spent that long in the shower. I think your DH needs to chill. Maybe the kids should just Check if anyone needs the loo before they get in the shower . It's great they are hygienic

LovingLola · 18/03/2019 08:29

Are they completely unaware of the impact of the amount of water they must be wasting ???

MariaNovella · 18/03/2019 08:31

Parents who complain about their DC spending too long in the shower should try the other sort of teen (not long enough in the shower)! We have had both sorts and I know which I prefer!

thaegumathteth · 18/03/2019 08:32

Ds takes about 1/2 hour of me nagging to get into the shower and then the same amount of time in it

TracyBeakerSoYeah · 18/03/2019 08:35

Please tell your husband not to moan at your DD. 15 mins isn't that long in the scheme of things.
Teenagers take things to heart & you don't want her getting a complex about her personal hygiene.

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