Nicole M Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Yesterday I asked a colleague at work about this, and he thought a moment and then very seriously answered: "Twenty-six?" Okay, I've accepted the fact that I need to remind my just-turned-12-year-old son to bathe. And I've accepted the fact that he will behave as if that request is somehow an insult to his manhood. And I've accepted the fact that he will not use deodorant unless reminded. But why? Why is this not a priority? Why is stinky not only acceptable, but preferable to many males? Please tell me the stinky boys do, eventually, come around.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.S. Burrow Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 :smilielol5:My DH is 34 and if I would let him in the bed without a shower, he wouldn't take one! DS's idea of bathing is hopping under the water and hopping out again...he's 10. I don't understand it either. I just feel GROSS if I can't bathe. That is why I don't like camping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendi Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 My ds will be 12 very soon, and if we never told him to bathe/shower, he probably wouldn't. It's very annoying! :banghead: My guess is he will start to care about being clean and well-dressed when he starts to care what girls think of him. Which will open up a whole new kettle of fish... :001_unsure: Sigh. Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valerie in MI Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Not sure, but it's not at 13 unless I tell him to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.S. Burrow Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 While we're asking about bathing, can we ask about putting on CLEAN clothes too?? My DS will, EVERY BLESSED MORNING put on the clothes he wore the day before!! And every morning, I send him back to change and put on clean clothes. I don't understand that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 NNNNOOOOOO!!!! Please say it's before 34! I mean, I'm okay with not showering every day. We have dry skin in my extended family and we all usually shower every other day to help....But, we don't stink! Huck does shower almost every day because I shove him in that direction and I still have to remind him to slap on that deodorant (yes, he's only 8, sigh). But I had hoped by 13 or so it would start to click. If the smelly kids at Tae Kwon Do are an indication however, it's hopeless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 :) really. My ds is 18, and I walked into his room this morning to wake him up. Wow. Instead of "Good morning" I just choked out "Take a shower." My brother, on the other hand, has showered at least twice a day since he was old enough to shower. He is just that kind of guy. He hates to be sweaty. My brother's advice is that my ds will shower more often when he has a girlfriend that makes him care about how he smells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 My father was always clean, he shaved, and he smelled nice. My husband works out a lot, but he always showers after. He always showers at least once a day. I can't imagine a husband who didn't shower regularly without prompting. My oldest son has always been very clean and showered every night without any instructions from me. He wears deoderant. I don't remember when he started to need it, but he figured it out before I did, because he's never been smelly. Really, never in my memory. My 10 year old twins? Well, one needs a reminder, the other doesn't. But it's never been a fight. I don't know. In my experience, boys/men are not less clean that women/girls. But I don't have daughters, so maybe they shower three times a day, lol. We do all like to camp, and all of us survive not showering on those outings. But when we are home? We like our baths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ria Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 The rule here is that all boys shower once a day. I am the law. LOL. Ria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Needleroozer Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 For our Boy, it was about 15.5, when the girls started really showing interest in him. He has always enjoyed very l.o.n.g. showers, except for the brief period of time from about 12 to 15. So, here, I have to force my kid to take short showers- in no one monitors him, he'll be in there for half an hour. So- yes, there is hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frontier Mom Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Now mine are the opposite, my three ds's would take 3 showers a day if they could. Morning, after basketball and before bed. I'll trade water bills with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Now mine are the opposite, my three ds's would take 3 showers a day if they could. Morning, after basketball and before bed. I'll trade water bills with you. Oh my goodness. I have three boys and I LOVE your little photo thing. Avatar? Anyway, if I could figure out how to get one, I would want to steal yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 I agree with whomever said it's when girls enter the picture. And, ds, who's 21, will take marathon-empty-the-hot-water-heater showers if I don't bang on the bathroom door and threaten to shut the water off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in PA Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 For my son it was age 12. He was never particularly opposed to showers, but ever since he turned 12 he insists on having a shower every night, even when on occasion I tell him he can skip it if he wants to!!!! He says it's relaxing and helps him get to sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagnfun Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 My ds will be 12 very soon, and if we never told him to bathe/shower, he probably wouldn't. It's very annoying! :banghead: My guess is he will start to care about being clean and well-dressed when he starts to care what girls think of him. Which will open up a whole new kettle of fish... :001_unsure: Sigh. Wendi dingdingdingding.. I'd say you win the prize. I can pin point when my 13 yr old started caring about his hair, clothing & shower... and her name is Darline. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 I agree with whomever said it's when girls enter the picture. And, ds, who's 21, will take marathon-empty-the-hot-water-heater showers if I don't bang on the bathroom door and threaten to shut the water off. My son is 11 and does that. :glare: We have a clog in our shower and have been using his bathroom for the last few days and now I know why. His shower head is wonderful. I could stay in there for days. However he will not shower unless told to do so, and he hates to put on clean clothes. I reminded him two minutes ago that he MUST put on a clean shirt in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 I'm embarrased to admit this but my DAUGHTER is this way. She is 9. She hates to get wet and hates to change clothes (she has issues with clothes anyway). I have to make her change every single day. I have to make her take a bath. She hates the shower. She doesn't care that she is sweaty. She's just beginning to go through the "change" so I'm hoping to see some improvement in this area. Sigh. Now my 6yo boy doesn't care either but he's 6!! Dh showers at least once a day. I shower once a day. I don't get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Puberty...you know, to attract the opposite sex. :) My dh showers daily, for the most part. Sometimes he'll stink it up over the weekend because he enjoys being lazy, but he starts showering again of his own volition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly IN Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 good news...My 13 year old bathes every day!!!! However he still can't remember to put on his deodrant. :glare: Since he started puberty he started showering everyday. Now I have my 10 yr old that refuses to bathe. Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 My oldest is 14 and I have to tell him daily to shower, and ask if he put on deodorant. Otherwise he won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Buckin' Longhorn Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 My son, 15, spends hours and hours in the bathroom depleting the rest of the family of hot water but he still stinks when he comes out. I don't even want to know what the heck is going on in there. I'm. so. scared. *SIGH* Gotta love Motherhood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendi Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 When we are going somewhere, I have to give such specific instructions: Brush your hair! Brush your teeth! Put on clothes that are clean, and you didn't just wear them yesterday, and they have no holes in them! Shouldn't these things be obvious by now? Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Our nieces and nephews range in age from 13-17. We have always and still have to tell them to bathe. They will be here for 4 days and not do so. The middle one is a very stinky male (14) and he is just now bathing without being told. The others? Well, I am really shocked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 I don't even want to know what the heck is going on in there. I'm. so. scared. :lol:TMI! My nephews will put on the same clothes after a shower. We have to tell them that they still stink! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyboys Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 My son is 11 and does that. :glare: We have a clog in our shower and have been using his bathroom for the last few days and now I know why. His shower head is wonderful. I could stay in there for days. However he will not shower unless told to do so, and he hates to put on clean clothes. I reminded him two minutes ago that he MUST put on a clean shirt in the morning. Not to mention clean, um, underwear! Well, sometimes they do that on their own, but it's not a given. To answer OP's question, apparently not at ages 7 and 9 or younger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Both boys shower without complaint. Calvin is just starting to get stinky, and has a hard time getting his hair clean (it's very thick and longish). He's trying though. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Ron II started showering in the morning when he was about 7...thanks to his sisters. They got him body wash and told him never to stink. He took that advice to heart because 3 years later he still gets up every morning and showers, brushes his teeth and puts on clean clothes. He also showers before bed...he doesn't want stinky sheets. I never say anything to him...he just does it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 my 14 year old showers every day. I don't need to say a thing. he knows he stinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommytobees Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 When said male "discovers" the other s*x... THEN, only when they WANT something from the other s*x. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camy-7 boybarians 1 lady Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Ah, yes....I believe the compulsion to bathe occurs when this member of the human species observes and discovers his interest in the female of the same species. (LOL). A friend of mine mentioned that her boys preferred not to bathe until suddenly their family was hosting a missionary family w/ an attractive daughter. Suddenly, her boys were showering and paying attention to personal grooming...I think *they* were 15 (LOL). Blessings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmamainva Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 I was going to also suggest that it likely will happen when they become interested in girls!! That's what worked for my brother! When he started to notice girls, you couldn't get him OUT of the bathroom!! He was stealing my blow dryer and asking for fashion advice! (Of course, I was out in the backyard looking for the alien space pod that contained my real brother! :lol:) My 14yo showers w/o being told...but he hasn't yet discovered girls (thankfully!) ... but my 9yo! Oh, he'd wear the same clothes every day if I didn't tell him to take a shower and put on new clothes. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 My 14yob now takes a shower everyday without being told for the first time in his life because he's attending private high school and he plays soccer everyday. He comes home from practice/game and showers. He also now takes pride in his appearance because the school requirements are very strict - jacket, tie, dress shoes, clean shaven, short hair cut, etc. They even tell the boys to IRON their clothes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueridge Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Did anyone see last night's 20/20 show? They were doing a segment on some man and his girlfriend...the man loves/lives among/lives like...the pack of wolves he considers his family. The reporter said the man has to keep his 'scent' the same, so as not to disturb the wolves. Which means HE NEVER BATHES...can you imagine?? What's worse is that the woman said it didn't matter to her! :eek: Ginger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyboys Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 thanks to his sisters. They got him body wash and told him never to stink. :lol::lol: Too funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NevadaRabbit Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 I think we're the exceptions that prove the rule. My husband only recently stopped showering before he went out to mow the lawn. He showers every morning without fail, showers after anything that gets him sweaty, and would probably stay in there two hours if he could. My 7y/o son is headed down the same path. On the other hand, I shower every other day MAX because here in the desert I would turn into a pile of sand and sawdust with frizzled hair on top. And I practically have to bribe dd (10) to bathe. I think it's because she's got a long mop of very thick hair that takes forever to dry, and she would rather stick needles in her own eyeballs than submit to extensive grooming measures like blow-drying. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Right now I force my 13 yo to shower every second day (she really doesn't smell, but her hair gets oily). She's not interested in boys yet. The eldest of my brothers was pretty good about keeping clean, but with the younger two there was an almost overnight change from not caring about being clean to impeccable grooming & styling. My youngest db was always style conscious, though, but my middle one didn't care until he got interested in girls. He's still not a fashion plate, but I think his wife "dresses" him so he is colour coordinated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 When they start noticing girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 My 14 yr olds will stay nasty a long time, I can't remember when oldest ds started paying attention. Somewhere before 20 though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in the Kootenays Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 At this point, I'd rather deal with the non bathing. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clwcain Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 I haven't read any of the preceeding posts. In answer to the OP question: never. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChemMommy Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Please tell me the stinky boys do, eventually, come around.... So, you are not alone but I can't give you an ending age! We've butted heads more over showers and deodorant than on any single other issue. Go figure! I just made the rule that when mom says to take a shower, you will do it cheerfully, you will use soap, and you will use shampoo. I hear that the next step in maturity is when they start taking hour-long showers and wearing sprays like Axe. Then, my job will be to pound on the door and yell.:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deidre in GA Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 for ds it was at almost 15 and entering conventional school for the first time. actually, getting him to bathe was never really a problem; he loved taken overly long showers. getting him to use SOAP was the battle. he became more amenable as opening day of high school approached. getting him some 'manly' body washes helped. he settled on the Touch scent of Axe body wash and deordorant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 My 17 1/2 yo ds is now *very* clean (thanks to a sweetie named Madeline!) My almost 16yo ds is *almost* clean. My 14 1/2 yo ds is *rarely* clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in MO Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 (edited) My two oldest boys amazed me. At around age twelve they took over their personal hygiene. I never had to tell them to take a shower again. I don't think girls had anything to do with it, but I could be wrong. Ds #2 is close to ds #1 so I think #1 was a positive influence on #2. My next two sons are 13 and 10. They will not do any personal hygiene without being told, though they are cooperative when told. I do think my 10 yr old will be like my older ones because he is more concerned about his appearance. He just doesn't remember to be concerned about the stink yet. I was spoiled by my first two. Cindy Edited October 26, 2008 by Cindy in MO added more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretchen in NJ Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 :smilielol5:My DH is 34 and if I would let him in the bed without a shower, he wouldn't take one! I was thinking the same thing: not until they get married.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest janainaz Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 I don't think it's really in their nature, the way they were created to be. They were supposed to be out conquering and getting dirty and we are making boys into something they were not meant to be. I bug my son about his nails, his hair, his clothes and one day he said to me, "MOM! Why do you care so much about being clean? I'm a boy!". But...........there is some truth there. I'm still going to bug him though. It's my job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frontier Mom Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 Oh my goodness. I have three boys and I LOVE your little photo thing. Avatar? Anyway, if I could figure out how to get one, I would want to steal yours. Yep, it was really hard to get the hamsters to smile. The hula-hoops were pretty easy.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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