120: Hygiene Help for Tween & Teen Boys

The shower at Jen's house Have a boy who hates to shower? You are not alone! When a mom recently asked the Building Boys Facebook group, "Anyone else have a teenage boy who hates to shower?" she was quickly inundated with support and sympathy. Personal hygiene, it seems, is not a priority for most tween and teen boys. Lots of moms said they're dealing with the exact same issue. Others said that their boys spend a lot of time in the shower, but come out with unwashed, still-dirty hair. Is this lack of interest in appearance and, um, smell, merely a stage that will resolve without intervention? Or should parents and teachers take a more active role in teaching and reinforcing hygiene habits? Turns out, the best approach is actually a combination of those two strategies. In this episode, Jen & Janet discuss: * WHY some boys seems oblivious to their own stench * The essential role of 5th grade teachers in the hygiene battle * How colored liquid soap can help boys shower effectively * "Man soap" vs. "girly soap" * Axe bombs (Don't know what that is? Listen in at 12:41!) * When -- and how -- to have the hygiene talk * When boys should start using deodorant - & how to make sure your boys use it regularly (Listen carefully for Jen's pro tips!) * The role of role-modeling in personal hygiene * How to get the stench out of your boys' gym clothes and sports uniforms * Tooth brushing (Spoiler: Instill good tooth brushing habits when you boys are young!) * Hair care * How to combine male bonding and hygiene rituals (not as weird as it sounds!) * BEING NEUTRAL! Links we mentioned (or should have) in Episode 120: Boying Up: How to be Brave, Bold and Brilliant. by Mayim Bialik -- A great book to leave laying around the house. Includes detailed hygiene instructions for boys. Parenting Teen Boys Is... -- BuildingBoys post by Jen. Includes this pic: Why Do Teenagers Smell Bad? Study Suggests They May Be Unable to Detect Own Scent -- report of Danish research