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Teenagers

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

Original poster

Smelly DS

8 replies

SammyK · 20/04/2009 10:40

I have lied in my thread title, I am referring to DSS. I don't want posters to come on and think 'ooh wicked evil step mother lets bash her' as I love him but he stinks to high heaven!

He is only 12 but 'growing up' he is all sweaty and his feet stink! I mean really badly - I was upstairs and i could smell his trainers in the hall! We have explained to him about a proper thorough wash and then antiperspirant, have explained the difference between this and lynx. Have given him a boys puberty book to read. DP has had numerous chats about it. He got a bath yesterday morning and has come downstairs this morning stinking (feet mainly I think).

He is very sporty and does an activity four nights and one morning a week (he is saying this is too much to his mum who is not listening but that's another thread).

He got upset on Saturday morning as he thought his dad was telling him off, so thay had another chat and DP explained he just wanted him to be healthy.

What can we do?

He is here today out of choice with me and little DS (has been here since fri aft, comes and goes as he likes), I don't want it to be a huge issue but he does need to 'get it'.

Also he is only 12 but is developing early it seems, he is very smart and street wise and popular so am surprised he is showing no interest or concern in the fact he stinks to high heaven!

OP posts:
themoon66 · 20/04/2009 10:43

I got DS into having a daily shower from an early age. When the weather is hot he has two showers a day. I also buy him Mitchum antipersperant (mega strong stuff).

With regards to feet, DS suffers from very hot feet so buys nice trendy flip flops, which he wears all the time (except for school and when there is snow on the ground).

Original poster
SammyK · 20/04/2009 10:52

We buy mitchum themoon66 DP and I both have some so he has been using that here anyway, I think I will have to get a shower bracket on the bathroom wall, atm it is just one of those shower heads on the mixer tap. If it were on the wall he may be more keen to get a quick shower rather than a bath (he takes longer in the bath than I do).

Flip flops a good idea he might wear trendy ones as he is into his sports labels. I do think he is prone to sweaty feet as they have always been a little smelly, just seem to have upped the ante recently!

Thanks for reply it has really helped.

OP posts:
SlartyBartFast · 20/04/2009 10:56

some football trainers absolutely stink. they need to be kept on the window sill, or chucked and new ones bought with odour eaters. my ds had some very stinky ones.

with the showering you will just have to encourage it, he will turn a corner i am sure,

Original poster
SammyK · 20/04/2009 11:22

He doesn't play football he is into martial arts, wears the same nike airs constantly and sweaty nylon/poly 'sports' clothes.

Will just keep encouraging him to hop into the shower, and will have a look for some nike or adidas flip flops, BIL who he looks up to wears flip flops sometimes so should be convinced to wear them at least indoors.

Heres hoping...

OP posts:
themoon66 · 20/04/2009 12:09

Like Slarty's DS, mine also uses a whole tank of water for one shower! But it's better than a smelly boy

JudyA · 27/04/2009 12:39

Mine had the same problem from around the same age - his feet were OK, but his armpits were knockout! He could have a shower in the morning, use the strongest antiperspirant I could find, and by the time he got home from school I could smell him from the other side of the room.

Regular washing has been an issue, particularly over the last few months when he's been through an 'awkward' phase, shall we say... However, I'm glad to report that his body has definitely settled down and he's generally a lot less whiffy (he's just turned 17).

I wouldn't worry too much - I know how horrible it is to feel you're the mum of the 'stinky child' - but if they don't want to lose friends it's really up to them to make the effort.

dearprudence · 27/04/2009 12:52

If his trainers already smell then no matter how often he washes his feet, the shoes will stink again as soon as he puts them on. Same goes for clothes.

Can you buy him some new shoes? It sounds like he's wearing the same pair for sports and for normal wear - he certainly needs 2 pairs, so the sport ones can dry out and air.

Also, IME it's very common for teenagers to be a bit smelly. I think you've done the right thing pointing it out, but when he does become conscious/embarrassed about this he'll also need reassurance that it's normal and just a phase.

Mumwhensdinnerready · 29/04/2009 17:58

Yep my DS1 was like that around 11/12 as the hormones start to kick in. The smell would make your eyes water. However I spent some time explaining that one of the side effects of puberty is sweating more and that he was definitly smelly and must learn to wash more often and with more soap. Bought him some suitably macho deoderant and it did the trick .
Problem now is he spends 4o minutes in the shower every morning......

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