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You are here: Home / Teaching Life Skills / Personal Hygiene for the Preteen and Teen Years

Personal Hygiene for the Preteen and Teen Years

October 4, 2011 By Angie Kauffman · Disclosure: This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. {I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.}

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When thinking of teaching life skills, it can be easy to let your mind wander to activities like cooking, cleaning, or even changing tires.  One vital life skill to teach, however, can be about self-care.  While it can be easy to remember to teach about washing their hands after the bathroom and covering their noses when they sneeze when children are young, self-care issues definitely don’t end when those early elementary years are over.

As a Mom to three children — two being preteen boys — this is an issue that has definitely become prevalent at our house.  I have to admit that it just kind of snuck up on me.  One day, while we were all snuggled nicely on the couch sharing a read aloud, I suddenly caught a smell of something that made me say, “Ummm…did somebody not take a shower?”  In an action only a mother would take, I started smelling all of the children.  I was shocked (and, admittedly, kind of horrified) when I caught the underarm smell of my son (who was nine at the time) when he moved his arm.  I must admit that I even then told him to smell himself so he would smell what we were smelling.  (He was pretty shocked too.)

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photo by stevendepolo

After sending him off to shower (for the second time that day), we had to have a whole new personal care discussion — personal hygiene and deodorant.

I found that this wasn’t a one-time discussion.  Just like remembering to brush their teeth in the morning was something that they learned over time, showering daily (or sometimes every other day) and putting on deodorant daily was definitely something that needed lots of reminders before it became more of a routine.  It also helped, in our family, to set deodorant out on the counter (with their names on their own) of the bathroom that they typically use.  This, coupled with a verbal reminder, helped us get to the point where we didn’t have to remind them anymore.

Resources for Teaching about Personal Hygiene:

  • Don’t Fret The Sweat Facebook page – A Facebook page from Unilever’s Don’t Fret The Sweat campaign (Unilever is the maker of of Degree® Men, Degree® Woman, Degree® Girl, Dove®, and Suave®) with educational resources, real-life stories, expert tips and tools
  • Games to Teach Kids about Personal Hygiene – Games about hand washing, good and bad habits, and germs
  • How to Teach Personal Hygiene to Teens – Great starting points for teaching teens about good hygiene habits
  • GirlsHealth.gov – A whole website for girls and health topics

What have you done to teach your children about personal hygiene (whether it’s hand washing or underarm odor)?

Share your tips with us for the chance to win a $100 Visa gift card and a Don’t Fret The Sweat gift pack!  (Sweepstakes runs from October 4 – November 4, 2011.)

Rules for Entering:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.  Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.   You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here: Visit the Official Rules.

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Filed Under: Teaching Life Skills, Teens

About Angie Kauffman

Angie, mom to three very fun kids, is the founder of Real Life at Home.  With degrees in elementary education (B.A.) and special education (M.S.Ed.), as well as being a former homeschooler, she is passionate about supporting both parents and teachers by providing printables, crafts, and activities to help children learn and grow.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Becky H. says

    October 4, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    I am stressing with my 2 year old to watch “tops & bottoms” of his hands by singing a song. He’s getting much better at actually washing his hands, instead of just washing the soap off.

    Reply
  2. Cindy says

    October 4, 2011 at 8:17 pm

    What have I done? You mean like nagging? I nag.

    Reply
  3. Kim Sailor says

    October 4, 2011 at 8:17 pm

    We have a chore chart for each child with gentle reminders to check off such as “brush teeth”, “brush hair”, “get dressed”, etc.. It is much easier than having to constantly remind them daily or nag about their personal hygiene. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Moe says

    October 4, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    LOL……..I have to stress to use soap in the shower and not just stand under the hot water while waking up in the morning! I sniff my child after showers to make sure he ‘smells clean’ lol.

    Moe
    http://adoptivemomhomeschoolinganonlychild.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  5. Kathy Wright says

    October 4, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    Our children use a chore chart that includes body care. For my daughter we got her a special bag that she keeps body lotion, deoderant & body spray in. We also casually read through Abeka’s health curriculum after lunch. Just a little reading here and there has made them more aware of health and hygiene.

    Reply
  6. Kelly says

    October 4, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    This sounds like an inspired idea. With 2 tweens and a little guy in the house, this is a timely sweepstakes! LOL

    Reply
  7. Amy @ Cheeky Cocoa Beans says

    October 4, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    Definitely! It’s a daily battle to try to get my 14 year old to take a shower. The boy must think he will melt. 😉 He has very oily skin so he really should wash his hair daily. He’s good about using deodorant, though, so at least he isn’t smelly even if he doesn’t have clean hair. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

    Reply
  8. Beth Richards says

    October 4, 2011 at 9:24 pm

    My friends all told me that at about 14, when boys awaken to girls, we’d have a rush on showers and anti-stink product requests. I have three teen boys, ages 14, 16, 18, and the rush hasn’t happened yet. Yep, it’s a smelly house. We started dispensing deoderant at about 9 years also. Boys can have stinky sweaty heads; I ask for two to three showers a week. More as needed. No barefeet in shoes- and liberal use of baking soda as necessary. Wash faces with soap and water (I have had to demonstarte how to wash one’s face. Why is this not obvious?) Helpful was the co-op’s code of conduct which included a”Be kind to your neighbor” hygiene guide. Then I wasn’t the only one asking. My dentist told me boys are notorious about bad mouth care- scary pictures of yucky teeth didn’t scare them.
    Warning, sox can really stink up the room while waiting for the laundry to be done.

    Reply
  9. steff says

    October 4, 2011 at 9:36 pm

    we model good habits ourselves!

    Reply
  10. steff says

    October 4, 2011 at 9:36 pm

    http://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/121398156545101824

    Reply
  11. Paula says

    October 4, 2011 at 10:24 pm

    I just finished reading “The Care and Keeping of You” by American Girl, with my daughter. It went over all the body changes and how to care for your body as you grow.

    Reply
  12. Heidi says

    October 4, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    We use baby wipes as a “quick fix” in our house. If we are on the go, or in a hurry, and the kids need a little cleaning, we bust out the baby wipes; for pits, hands, face, knees, whatever the case may be.

    Reply
  13. Heidi says

    October 4, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    Here is my tweet URL: https://twitter.com/#!/startsateight/status/121421433321697280

    Reply
  14. Melissa says

    October 5, 2011 at 12:48 am

    We use “gentle” reminders :)!

    Reply
  15. Leann Lindeman says

    October 5, 2011 at 9:36 am

    I don’t remember, my daughter is 23 now!!! I sure we had all the appropriate discussions.

    Reply
  16. Dena says

    October 5, 2011 at 10:08 am

    We use a point system for discipline and rewards. Things like showering and brushing teeth are easy ways for my kids to earn points to spend.

    Reply
  17. Robin M. says

    October 5, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    The teenager does a pretty good job keeping himself clean and smelling good… the younger one – not so much. I have to force him to bathe and put on clean clothes, not the dirty ones he just took off!

    Reply
  18. Karina says

    October 5, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    i teach by example

    Reply
  19. Nicole says

    October 5, 2011 at 3:42 pm

    constant reminders and setting a good example

    Reply
  20. Steva Spottswood says

    October 5, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    Nagging and leaving deodorant out in plain sight for extra reminders. I have double trouble with twin boys just entering high school. Oh boy!

    Reply
  21. Jamie says

    October 6, 2011 at 11:44 am

    My older daughter plays travel soccer and she knows that washing her face and showering thoroughly after practice/games is the way to keep away any pimples and stinkiness! 😉

    Reply
  22. Erika says

    October 6, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    I’m definitely dreading it- the stink and the rest of the teenage stuff! 🙂

    Reply
  23. Susan Smith says

    October 6, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    My kids are teenagers and are old enough to know about hygiene and what they need to do everyday (shower, brush teeth, put on deodorant)

    Reply
  24. Susan Smith says

    October 6, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    http://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/122055392418201600

    Reply
  25. Amy Tong says

    October 6, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    I teach my kids personal hygiene about washing hands before meals; brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day, morning and before bed…etc. I think teaching by examples is the best way.

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

    Reply
  26. Renee B says

    October 7, 2011 at 7:15 am

    I have 4 children. 3 of them are in Middle School! With each on I have used different strategies but I think my biggest obstacle was getting them to brush their teeth for more than two seconds. The visual of a sand timer worked great. They each have one in a different color.

    Reply
  27. mel says

    October 7, 2011 at 10:33 am

    I teach them to shower/bathe every other day, and brush 2x/day.

    Reply
  28. Kristin Cherwinski says

    October 7, 2011 at 10:37 am

    This is going to sound horrible, but I sent the boy to a movie with a girl one day. It had been a struggle to get him to shower very often, but apparently I was not a girl that counted. When movie girl commented that he needed some deodorant, the light went on. He now showers ever day… sometimes several times a day!

    Reply
  29. AB says

    October 7, 2011 at 10:50 am

    lead by example!

    Reply
  30. Shawna says

    October 7, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    I began wearing deodorant when I was around ten years of age. I fear my children resenting me when they are older, especially during those teenage years. I really love the bond we share, and hope to always have that.
    zelpuz77 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  31. Lisa Foster says

    October 8, 2011 at 11:19 am

    My daughter is grown, but she has a 7 year old son and teaching hygiene to little boys is a whole different animal–dirty fingernails, the toilet seat, and of course consistently using the deodorant–that’s actually been the easiest thing because he wants to be like daddy. Unfortunately daddy hasn’t learned the first two very well so its a constant battle with Day Day!!

    Reply
  32. Lisa Foster says

    October 8, 2011 at 11:20 am

    http://twitter.com/#!/fostertam/status/122692730479587329

    Reply
  33. Megan says

    October 8, 2011 at 11:53 am

    Model good hygiene habits while your children are young and want to do everything you do.

    Reply
  34. RG says

    October 8, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    I used to teach in a k5 classroom, and talk about breath, and junk on teeth all the time. Yuck. I nag. I also require a very regimented brushing session every night. Seems to be working now, but they aren’t teens yet….

    Reply
  35. Kelly Massman says

    October 9, 2011 at 12:26 am

    I don’t remember the exact age for myself or my son! But, boys seem to need it once they hit puberty!
    Thanks! kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

    Reply
  36. Jessica R says

    October 10, 2011 at 8:36 am

    Such great info!

    Reply
  37. Ashley H. says

    October 10, 2011 at 10:50 am

    When they wash their hands they sing happy birthday and then rinse. That way they are washing long enough.

    Reply
  38. Bev E. says

    October 10, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    Lots and lots and lots of reminding. Sometimes they just don’t want to be bothered, they want to put it off. I have two teens and one 1st grader who thinks he’s a teen too. We put our foot down when it comes down to it, and just keep telling them what needs to be done if they “forget”. It takes patience, but it is all worth it.

    Reply
  39. trooppetrie says

    October 10, 2011 at 7:49 pm

    oh my word, my teen needs some help. we either argue and take a 30 second shower or we are in there a hour

    Reply
  40. sandra says

    October 12, 2011 at 8:12 am

    we teach them to wash their hands after each potty use

    Reply
  41. suburbancorrespondent says

    October 12, 2011 at 11:26 pm

    We insist on daily showers and daily deodorant use. Living together is hard enough without BO making it worse!

    Reply
  42. Jessie C. says

    October 14, 2011 at 1:16 am

    DDs are still little so we set ourselves as examples to teach them the importance of hygiene.

    Reply
  43. Jessie C. says

    October 14, 2011 at 1:16 am

    tweet.https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/124714413386252290

    Reply
  44. Amanda Sakovitz says

    October 14, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    definitely to shower daily!

    Reply
  45. Amanda Sakovitz says

    October 14, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    http://twitter.com/#!/aes529/status/124920750275706880

    Reply
  46. Erika says

    October 16, 2011 at 1:13 am

    Since my kids are very little I have them put baby powder (or cornstarch) right after their baths…I teach them to put it under their arms, belly, etc., and make a big deal about yummy smells. I also teach them to wear baby cologne even when they are no longer a baby. Not sure if this is a Hispanic thing or just my family thing but we do that…so kids always smell good, lol. I also teach them from very little to look at their nails and hair before leaving out the door, make sure you don’t need a wash, trim or brush. 🙂 It’s not fool proof but it seems to work some! 🙂

    Reply
  47. Erika says

    October 16, 2011 at 1:34 am

    http://twitter.com/#!/RaisingSaints/status/125439358034653184

    Reply
  48. Kim D. says

    October 16, 2011 at 2:58 am

    I still have to constantly remind my two young daughter to brush their teeth and wash their hands, but on a good day they do it on their own so I guess their learning.

    Reply
  49. Kim D. says

    October 16, 2011 at 2:59 am

    I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/mom22girlz/status/125465713212276736

    Reply
  50. Melanie says

    October 16, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    My daughter is still a baby but the time is coming that the “wash your hands” song is going to be in constant rotation!

    Reply
  51. Janice Cooper says

    October 16, 2011 at 11:29 pm

    Definitely to brush your teeth everyday and wash your hands after you go to the bathroom. That’s very important in our house.

    Reply
  52. Janice Cooper says

    October 16, 2011 at 11:36 pm

    Tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/disneyfan40/status/125775620197195776

    Reply
  53. Georgia says

    October 18, 2011 at 5:10 am

    That was so long ago but teaching kids was a day at a time. Personal hygiene is something they just learn as each day goes by. They had to be about 13 when they got their first deodorant.

    gmissycat at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  54. Georgia says

    October 18, 2011 at 5:11 am

    Tweeted here too
    http://twitter.com/#!/gmissycat/status/126223599370641409

    gmissycat at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  55. Debra B says

    October 18, 2011 at 10:02 am

    I think my kids learned from example, my husband & I both shower every morning after we awake, its been our habit since we met 31 yrs ago so they’ve probably learned from us so I think it has influenced them to be the same way, and some days they’ve taken 2 showers if they did something & got sweaty doing it so thats great, we are happy about that
    Thanks for the great giveaway

    Reply
  56. Debra B says

    October 18, 2011 at 10:05 am

    tweeted here

    https://twitter.com/#!/deb126/status/126297685614538752

    Reply
  57. cwaltz says

    October 19, 2011 at 1:56 am

    Here is where I admit to being somewhat of a coward. I bought books. I have both a daughter and sons and went out and bought What’s Happening to My Body in both the male and female versions and then scheduled a “date” in for questions. Most of the kids picked up the hint about bathing and deoderant once they started seeing it show up in their stockings. My teen daughter would live in the bathrrom if we let her and my older one showers twice daily. My two youngers are a little harder but the third is catching on and I’ve actually had to tell him to go easier on the body spray.

    Christine
    dazed1821 at aol dot com

    Reply
  58. Amber says

    October 19, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    Sometimes we do the funny little reminders with sticky notes, or on the bottom of chore cards.

    Reply
  59. Amber says

    October 19, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    Tweet:http://twitter.com/#!/roomofmyown/status/126763514101628929

    Reply
  60. Heather @ Creative Family Moments says

    October 20, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    We’ve instituted a mandatory daily bath/shower rule among our youngsters, And no, taking two baths if you skip a day is not allowed! (had to tell my youngest that!)

    Reply
  61. Laura says

    October 20, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Christmas is coming and this would sure come in handy!

    Reply
  62. Laura says

    October 20, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    Tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/Readerwoman5552/status/127095295015272448

    Reply
  63. Maureen says

    October 20, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    The little ones in our family know that they are not to sit down and eat unless they have washed their hands. They will not eat out either unless they have had hand sanitizer put on their hands.

    Reply
  64. Kathy says

    October 20, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    I tell my son about when I was 14 and my older sister was sitting next to me and said “you stink”. I wore deoderant from then on.

    Reply
  65. MJ says

    October 21, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    Been teaching my toddler son to wash his own hands and brush his teeth. He’s getting pretty good at both!

    Reply
  66. Tina M says

    October 22, 2011 at 2:14 am

    take a shower daily

    Reply
  67. Tina M says

    October 22, 2011 at 2:15 am

    http://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/127628977799053312

    Reply
  68. nan says

    October 22, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    i tell him every time i take my shower that no one wants to see his mom or know his mom as the stinky mommy…and he has already learned all about deoderant..even though he is too young to use it himself, so that hopefully when he does need it..the transition to using it will be easy
    nannypanpan at gmail.com

    Reply
  69. Melinda Mendy Dinsmore says

    October 22, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    I never have been a bad sweater, but started using deodorant in about 7th grade.

    Reply
  70. sherri crawford says

    October 24, 2011 at 9:23 am

    the only thing i need to ‘nag’ them about is brushing their teeth. and i hate to nag about anything

    Reply
  71. Tabathia B says

    October 25, 2011 at 12:44 am

    I let them know that if they perspire that they will have an odor and that kids will pick if they smell musty and since I have girls it’s not a problem
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  72. Tabathia B says

    October 25, 2011 at 12:51 am

    tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/128693111282089984
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  73. Susan E. says

    October 27, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    I don’t have kids of my own but my sister used hygiene charts for her kids when they were young and always made sure to set good examples for them.

    Reply
  74. Lynn says

    October 28, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    We make it fun, like singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star while washing our hands or singing the alphabet 3x while brushing teeth.

    Reply
  75. Lynn says

    October 28, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    Tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/livelovelynn/status/130030616208084992

    Reply
  76. nanjhall says

    October 29, 2011 at 1:12 pm

    We use a chart with things like washing hands, brushing teeth, etc. and they get to check them off as they do it. Sort of a game at this point, but I am sure that wouldn’t last.

    Reply
  77. nanjhall says

    October 29, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    Tweet: http://twitter.com/njhhb/statuses/130331246810251265

    Reply
  78. Kerry says

    October 29, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    My kids know that it’s a MUST to wash their hands after using the restroom and before we eat meals. And they are really good at remembering on their own.

    Reply
  79. Kerry says

    October 29, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/130345875728891904

    Reply
  80. anna says

    October 29, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    No kids for me yet – maybe in a few years! Lots of good tips to keep in mind here.

    Reply
  81. Nicole says

    October 29, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    My kids know that they have to wash their hands as soon as we get home from any public place- school, the store, the library. I am also teaching them that it is important to really scrub their hands well- we sing the “Happy Birthday” song three times through. If we can’t wash our hands right away, I make sure that we have hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes on hand.

    Reply
  82. Nicole says

    October 29, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/maybaby522/status/130373617082048512

    Reply
  83. Miguelina Salvador says

    October 29, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    This sounds like a great idea, we teach them by example
    [email protected]

    Reply
  84. Miguelina Salvador says

    October 29, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    tweet

    https://twitter.com/#!/zbabita5/status/130382037935853568

    Reply
  85. Dahbou says

    October 29, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    My son and I have talked about the importance of personal hygiene and he now uses Purel in addition to hand washing. He also seems to like the body wipes I purchased when he needs a quick underarm swipe!

    Reply
  86. Dahbou says

    October 29, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    Tweet – http://twitter.com/#!/didyouyarnthat/status/130399723512274944

    Reply
  87. linda brooks says

    October 30, 2011 at 9:42 am

    Im lucky to have girls, the have no problem bathing and using deodorant.

    Reply
  88. Kyona sirico says

    October 30, 2011 at 9:50 am

    My son is only 2 so no deodorant yet, but he likes to wash his hands and when he takes a bath or shower, he knows to wash everywhere includibg his “stinky pits”.

    Reply
  89. sherry barnes says

    October 30, 2011 at 11:34 am

    i started using deodorant when i was in my teens

    Reply
  90. Debra F says

    October 30, 2011 at 1:49 pm

    My son is at the age where I always have to remind him to use soap and deodorant and to actually lather his hair with shampoo

    Reply
  91. Debra F says

    October 30, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/fairydancer35/status/130702884428984320

    Reply
  92. lyndsey says

    October 30, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    i don’t have a teenager, so i haven’t had to do any teaching yet. and i dred the day that i do!! 😉

    Reply
  93. Helen Keeler says

    October 30, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    My children are grown buy when they were young I helped them learn good hygiene talkin to them about good hygiene. I let them help pick out their hygiene products and encuraged them to use them daily.
    [email protected]

    Reply
  94. Helen Keeler says

    October 30, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/helen1949/status/130798984645193728
    [email protected]

    Reply
  95. Mary Beth Elderton says

    October 30, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    When my son was around 11, I simply brought deodorant home from the grocery store and told him how to use it. He used it every day after that–maybe he felt like it was a grown up thing.

    Reply
  96. McDuffy says

    October 31, 2011 at 12:09 am

    The kids learn early that it’s shower first that’s best.

    Reply
  97. Kandi Smith says

    October 31, 2011 at 5:18 am

    We began teaching our kids to regularly wash their hands when they became toddlers. They aren’t old enough yet for the deodorant talk.

    Reply
  98. Melissa Zimmerman says

    October 31, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    I remember taping tissues to my armpits when I got smelly at 7

    Reply
  99. Selinda says

    October 31, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    We have a bedtime routine that he follows and he knows that he showers, brushes his teeth etc and then we can read before bed!

    Thanks!

    Reply
  100. linda brooks says

    October 31, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/lindabr1001/status/131183037655429121

    Reply
  101. Sarah L says

    November 1, 2011 at 1:58 am

    No kids. I started wearing deodorant way back in the beginnings of time.. Or at least 50 years ago.
    Thanks for the contest.

    Reply
  102. Sarah L says

    November 1, 2011 at 1:59 am

    blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2011/10/win-100-visa-from-blogher-unilever.html

    Reply
  103. ria says

    November 1, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    i still struggle with my 6 yr old and brushing teeth so I have to smell his breath every morning and night to make sure he really did it. my 1 yr old already knows to wash her hands after potty time

    Reply
  104. ria says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:01 am

    http://twitter.com/#!/rsmc1/status/131581592526266368

    Reply
  105. angie says

    November 2, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    I don’t have any kids of my own; however, I started using deodorant in the 5th grade, which is when I hit puberty! I just started using my mom’s and did so until I left home! She always told me to use deodorant every day. I put it on in the morning or any time after I take a shower.

    Reply
  106. angie says

    November 2, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/131816392411451392

    Reply
  107. Jammie says

    November 2, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    I just have to stress she washes all parts of her body, not just what she wants. sweepmorey at gmail dot com

    Reply
  108. Jammie says

    November 2, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/mommysdizzy/status/131872117632401409

    Reply
  109. Melissa Shirley says

    November 2, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    Trying to get my teenager who is special needs to understand the importance of deodorant is difficult.

    Reply
  110. Cori Westphal says

    November 2, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/131899603254648834

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

    Reply
  111. Jill L says

    November 3, 2011 at 7:37 am

    Some days I’ve had to stand over the kids to wash their hands but they are finally getting it. As far as deodorant, it has been easy with my son. Now it’s time to get ready for a couple of girls.

    Reply
  112. Jill L says

    November 3, 2011 at 7:37 am

    Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/chipdip2010/status/132058825518886912

    Reply
  113. Carmen says

    November 3, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    Enjoying reading the tips – we have several years before we have to have the talk about hygiene.

    Reply
  114. Cathy W says

    November 3, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    Always be a good example.

    Reply
  115. Cathy W says

    November 3, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    https://twitter.com/#!/cjwallace43/status/132161410972127232

    Reply
  116. Jodi P says

    November 3, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    Ever since they were little, hand washing was always made a priority until it became a habit. As they got older and didn’t need my help in the bathroom, my first question was always “did you wash your hands?”. But now I have a stinky teenage boy, but at least his hands are clean. LOL

    Reply
  117. diana says

    November 3, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    I am a role model to my kids.

    Reply
  118. cam says

    November 3, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    We’re not to the teen years yet, so no big problems here other than just handwashing- I’ve taught my boys to lather through either the ABC song or the birthday song. My oldest (7) cleans his body well in the shower, but doesn’t do that well on his hair. I’m working on teaching him to really scrub his scalp and get rid of all the sand and odd things he seems to accumulate up there in his hair! lol

    Reply
  119. diana says

    November 3, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    i have tweeted about this giveaway

    Reply
  120. diana says

    November 3, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    i have blogged about this giveaway

    Reply
  121. Meghan says

    November 3, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    I have four kids, a 14 yr old boy who took to hygiene pretty well and then there are my 10.5, 9. and 7 yr old girls… where we’re struggling just a bit. My youngest LOVES baths & showers and takes one daily w/o any prompting (bc she is part mermaid), but my middle two girls- not quite! I love the idea of a chore chart. I’m getting so tired of reminding them to brush their hair or take showers. My 9 yr old has told me before that she shouldn’t have to take a shower today because 3 &4 days ago she took one two days in a row (IE Today is Thurs and she tries to get out of showering bc she took a shower Sunday AND Monday!) I wish I had tips other than keeping them on a schedule for alternate day showers!

    Reply
  122. Jessica says

    November 3, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    So far, we’re lucky, our older kids use it everyday (we have them leave one in their room and one in the bathroom that they use the most) and the younger ones have asked to start using just from seeing their siblings…..

    Reply
  123. Sarah says

    November 3, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    I occasionally have to remind my eldest son, but he is pretty good about his hygiene. My daughter is quite the opposite. I have tried charts, rewards, schedules, etc. Nothing seems to work.

    Reply
  124. ewhatley says

    November 3, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    Frequent hand washing is a big deal in our household.

    Reply
  125. Trish says

    November 3, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    We have a special sand timer we made with recycled bottles for washing hands.

    Reply
  126. Karyn Hostetter says

    November 3, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    I just teach them by example, and lots of talking to them about keeping themselves clean.
    [email protected]

    Reply
  127. Joanna Reyes says

    November 3, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    I have a 3 yr old who loves to follow his daddy to the bathroom in the morning as he gets ready for work. He has a small pretend set of face wash, deodorant, and shaving cream w/ plastic razor. I am hoping that starting him early with the idea of taking care of himself will allow it to become natural as he gets older. I hope anyway lol

    Reply
  128. Ellie W says

    November 3, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    I have a 7 year old grandson and we are working on hand washing and how to sneeze correctly into his arm and not his hand. His dad started needing deodorant when he was about 12. I’m not ready for my grandson to grow up so fast. Thanks for the giveaway!
    eswright18 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  129. Ellie W says

    November 3, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/eswright18/status/132222546601971712

    Reply
  130. Andrea Padgett says

    November 3, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    My oldest son is 12 and has been wearing deoderant for a couple years and we STILL have to ask him daily if he remembered to put it on! We do leave his sitting out in plain sight in the bathroom, but still have to remind him. He has extremely thick hair and we have also struggled with getting him to wash his hair well enough. He has recently been wanting his hair to be kept at a little longer length, so we told him that if he can prove that he can wash it well while it’s short then we will think about letting him have it a little longer. My youngest is 8 and doesn’t need deoderant yet but he does enjoy taking showers, so I’m hoping it won’t be so much of a stuggle with him!

    Reply
  131. Melissa says

    November 3, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    We are big hand washers & users of “magic soap” (purell) whenn we are away from home. I luckily don’t have to worry about my 9 year old daughter (although, her showers are way to long). I also have a 2 yr old a 3 yr old who get a bath no less than every other day.

    Reply
  132. mindy coffey says

    November 3, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    TWEET ( http://www.hsclassroom.net/2011/10/personal-hygiene-for-the-preteen-and-teen-years-plus-a-giveaway/) I LOVE THIS GIVEAWAY! Why? My 13 year old son is starting to become noticeably ”stinky” in the arm-pits area and I’m also promoting…or begging for good hygiene! He loves to use his Dad’s “already been used a 100 times after working all day” deodorant, rather than his own! LOL!

    Reply
  133. Rebecca says

    November 3, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    I am in charge of showers still my daughter only being 7 but I can tell this will be an issue in the future. She hates to get in the shower but then hates to get out again. The rest of the daily routine is on chore cards. I have known many adults including coworkers I would have loved to hand this article to 🙂 thanks for keeping us all on our toes that kids need to be taught.

    Reply
  134. Betty C says

    November 4, 2011 at 11:34 am

    Teeth have been more of an issue than underarms or hands. We just keep making regular dentist visits and insist on regular brushing and flossing.

    Reply
  135. Mari says

    November 4, 2011 at 11:48 am

    We have a chart that we use to monitor which tasks have been completed, and we have a block of time that’s reserved for personal hygiene. Regardless of whether the chores are completed, he is not allowed to use his video games, tv, computer, or toys during that time.

    Reply
  136. Mari says

    November 4, 2011 at 11:50 am

    http://twitter.com/#!/LuckyDuckyToo/status/132483354149920768

    Reply
  137. Maria says

    November 4, 2011 at 11:58 am

    Always remind to bathe and use deodorant.

    Reply
  138. marina says

    November 4, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    our oldest is a 5 year old and we’ve been reminding her on hygiene aspects and leading out in example. We’ve also told her that her little bro is watching her…that has helped a lot!

    Reply
  139. Kimberly says

    November 4, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    Oh yes…familiar topic! I have teens and a 20 something. My daughter rags her brothers for “MAN FUNK”. Frequent topic of discussion. “Don’t make Mom tell you that which only your Mother loves you enough to whisper lovingly in your ear…YOU STINK!” Said with a smile, and a bar of soap…and a nudge in the general direction of the shower!

    Reply
  140. ANGEL JACKLYN says

    November 4, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    I try to set a good example by my boy watching me wash my hands regularly & whatnot. I think when they don’t have siblings they look to parents for this type of info.

    Reply
  141. ANGEL JACKLYN says

    November 4, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    2nd entry tweet @ https://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/132500434274353153

    Reply
  142. Marcia Goss says

    November 4, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    My nine-year-old granddaughter lives with us, and we have always emphasized how important hand-washing is. She almost never has to be reminded.

    Reply
  143. Marcia Goss says

    November 4, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    Tweet.
    https://twitter.com/#!/mgoss123/status/132512254586396672

    Reply
  144. Erica Best says

    November 4, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    i tried to make a pack with everything fro soap to rubber duckies lol

    Reply
  145. Erica Best says

    November 4, 2011 at 4:58 pm

    https://twitter.com/#!/purplelover04/status/132562439123374080

    Reply
  146. Stacy says

    November 4, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    I don’t have kids yet, but I try to lead by example.

    Reply
  147. Joanne Schultz says

    November 4, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    No kids in our household but I think I would have provided them with deodorant before I smelled that they needed it!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  148. Joanne Schultz says

    November 4, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    tweet- http://twitter.com/#!/js22222222/status/132564847069118465

    Reply
  149. Betty C says

    November 4, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    Personal hygiene has seemed to come about naturally in our house. It seems like kids always want to do what their parents are doing so they started using our products before they got their own.

    Reply
  150. Sand says

    November 4, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    I always ask if the kids have washed their hands before eating or while cooking.

    Reply
  151. cynthia says

    November 4, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    children learn best by example so good hygene should be instilled at an early age.

    Reply
  152. Melissa T says

    November 4, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    I always make sure they wash their hands before eating, when they first get home, after eating etc :O)

    abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com

    Reply
  153. Melissa T says

    November 4, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    tweeted 🙂 http://twitter.com/abitnerdy/status/132654728936034304

    abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com

    Reply
  154. Debra Hinson Sauvageau says

    November 6, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    For me as a mom, one of the most important first lessons was handwashing. We sang Old McDonald had a farm to make sure they are washing long enough. Also I taught that when in a public place – keep the paper towel you dried your hands with to open the bathroom door on your way out..many germs live on doorknobs..

    Reply

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Angie, mom to three very fun kids, is the founder of Real Life at Home.  With degrees in elementary education (B.A.) and special education (M.S.Ed.), as well as being a former homeschooler, she is passionate about supporting both parents and teachers by providing printables, crafts, and activities to help children learn and grow. Read More…

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