Teenagers! Shouldn't this be habit by now?

[Liz]

By the time kids get to be teenagers (middle teens even!) shouldn't things like brushing your teeth and putting on deodorant be automatic?? I swear if I didn't remind my son every day he'd never do it! Driving him to school today I realized I had forgotten to remind him this morning. I said "I bet you didn't brush your teeth" and he said "I bet I did". I was shocked. Then I said "Did you put on deodorant?" His response "no I forgot, but its okay."

 

[Serena]

Yes Liz, it should be automatic. I wouldn't remind him anymore and tell him why. He is old enough to know to do those things by now. And if his friends start backing away from him, he'll know why.
LOL, you are a good mom, but he should be responsible for these.

 

[Saffron]

ROTFLOL! Gotta love kids!

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

It gets worse, Liz, just grin and bear it, let these things slide and believe me he will start doing it on his won, why, it's a thing called I like girls and girls dont wanna smell BO.

 

[CamColt]

LOL! Well, Ill have to defend him here. Sometimes things become such a habit that you dont even realize when you dont do them. On our last trip to WDW we had taken a mid day pool break and then showered. I was rushing getting the kids ready and bags packed for our evening at Epcot. We finally got everything settled and made it to the bus stop. Imagine my horror when I realized I hadnt put deoderant on...and was wearing a tank top!

 

[Lanshark]

Yes... But let us also add to the list

1. Flushing the toilet
2. Changing your underware
3. Clipping your nails at least once yearly (and I don't include biting them off)
4. Changing your socks

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

Ahhh yes, the I like girls thing changes them A LOT!! Our son took more time in the bathroom than his sister after he discovered girls! His hair was perfect, his clothes were a big deal and heavens the toothpaste, breath mints, cologne and deoderant that kid went through This too will pass.

Our son graduates from Marine boot camp in February I'm curious to see what kind of change that has made!

TK

 

[Liz]

The crazy thing is DS does like girls very much! You should see the time he spends on his hair in the morning! After that much time in the bathroom surely he could squeeze in teeth brushing and deodorant!

Oh, and he would be so embarrassed if he knew I posted this here!

 

[December99]

I struggle with the same thing Liz....and I have a 13 yo dd. Same thing - make sure you put deoderant on, I did, make sure you brush your teeth and retainers very good, I did....I get home and can smell her a mile away some days!!!! Those are the days I know I did meant - yeah right mom!!!!!

 

[cinlee3]

My sister used to keep toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant in her car because her DS always forgot.

We threatened my DS with no braces until he could remember to brush his teeth. He now takes at least 2 showers daily, brushes his teeth without being told - he is the one telling his younger brother to shower.

DS 12 is just now realizing the benefits of being clean but still needs the occasional reminder. I feel so sorry for the middle school teachers.

 

[Lynn CC]

Atleast your DS does his own hair Liz!
After my DS gets out of the shower in the morning guess who gels and sprays his hair...Me
He does try, but he can't get it like I can. He has a personal, live-in hairdresser.

I Wonder what all these teenagers are going to do when they are off to college!

 

[Kitty 34]

Wait til they go to college.........my son told me over Christmas that the "scruff" look is in!! My son fits right in with this new fad!!

 

[RitaZ.]

LOL at the replies!!!

My oldest DS is 10 y.o. and every morning I ask him, "Did you brush your teeth well, how about deodorant"? He doesn't forget to brush his teeth, but notice I have to insert well in my question.

It's true about girls not liking b.o., it's a big turn off.

 

[kejoda]

I don't know if I should laugh or be terrified!

 

[grinningghost]

It should be, but you know how that goes. I've decided my teenage DD couldn't live without me. DH simply has to die first. I'm still trying to get over the flu (caught the bug Saturday AM), and finally threw a load of laundry in last night. This morning DD was panicking because she had NOTHING to wear to school. I told her some of her stuff was in the dryer, but still wet. It's not like I'm the only one allowed to use the washing machine around here. They simply cannot live without me.

 

[KimRaye]

Luckily for me, DS now 15, has learned the routine! He takes showers without any prompting from me anymore. He does his own hair, thank goodness! But, I wish he'd use the Sonicare more often. He prefers a manual toothbrush because 2 minutes takes too long.

On the other hand, when his friend gets in my van after school, UGH, I'm grateful for my Yankee Candle Car Jar!! Just give that thing a few whacks to get the FRESH, pleasant air going again! Ewww!

Now, clean, unwrinkled clothes are another issue. Baby steps, we'll get there.

 

[Nutsy]

You're talking my language here.............

I've got teenagers both male Hardly a day goes by that I dont't have to remind them to brush their teeth run a comb through the mop & PPPPPPPPPLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEE put some BO stuff on!!!

You would think that by this age they would no longer need a gentle reminder hey??

 

[Pooh93]

UGH, I'm grateful for my Yankee Candle Car Jar!! Just give that thing a few whacks to get the FRESH, pleasant air going again! Ewww!

OMG ROFL!!!!

They simply cannot live without me.

I can soooooo relate!! Although I keep saying this is why God gave me girls.....maybe there is hope of training them!! (no flames from males, please, I'm just kidding......not! )

 

[RitaZ.]

On the other hand, when his friend gets in my van after school, UGH, I'm grateful for my Yankee Candle Car Jar!! Just give that thing a few whacks to get the FRESH, pleasant air going again! Ewww!

ROFL

 

[SeaSpray]

I can SO relate to all of this!!!!

DSalmost-15 and DSalmost-12 both go through phases where they're really good with showing, teeth, deodorant, etc, then I don't know what happens....the time change or something, then they get all thrown off and I have to start reminding them again!!

I honestly don't mind reminding them though, I'm hoping that this is reinforcing some kind of habit. And if it isn't, then at least I don't have to smell any sweaty bodies in the meantime. LOL