Things you learn from an 11 year old...

[eduk8r26]

I took 2 of my nephews to WDW when they were 11 and 12. The 11-year old never had to be told to take a shower. The 12-year-old had to be beaten over the head to get in. And this was in the summer when the humidity was 90 percent! On top of that, his mom let him do the packing and he had nothing that matched and only 4 pair of underwear for a 2 week + trip.

 

[Hannathy]

only 4 pair of underwear for a 2 week + trip.

I have a 12 yr old DS and that sounds about right!

In his mind that is 1 per week with a spare.

 

[tinkermom23]

I took 2 of my nephews to WDW when they were 11 and 12. The 11-year old never had to be told to take a shower. The 12-year-old had to be beaten over the head to get in. And this was in the summer when the humidity was 90 percent! On top of that, his mom let him do the packing and he had nothing that matched and only 4 pair of underwear for a 2 week + trip.

I have a 12 yr old DS and that sounds about right!

In his mind that is 1 per week with a spare.

YES!!! You are so right!!

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

My DS was 7 last year and playing a street child that would be begging as people came into the international marketplace at our church for missions week. The night before we were at rehearsal when he sniffed his armpits and said, "Just Right!" And then he informed me he had not washed his armpits for a week to prepare for this part!

Needless to say people filled his bowl with money the next night!

 

[Family Fun Mom]

Oops. Double post

 

[Family Fun Mom]

I am so loving this thread!

I am a mom of 2 sons and I relate to all of this. Thanks for making me feel less alone in the Shower Wars.

 

[chattyann]

I am so glad that I am not alone in this. I have two boys 12 and 9, we go through this nightly. I also have to tell them both to take one step closer to the toothbrush.

 

[goofyernmost]

THANK YOU!!!

I thought it was just my son. It is our biggest fight right now. DH says not to worry, as soon as he becomes interested in girls he'll be in the shower for hours at a time.

He won't be getting real clean then either.

 

[MomofKatie]

Here in the South school doesn't close for Columbus Day.

Union Co schools had a Teacher Conference day- no school for the kids, but parents had to come in to meet with the teachers. Every year, this just happens to coincide with Columbus Day .

And, on topic, I have a 12 year old DD who is just starting to get a tiny bit better about showering. She still doesn't take one every day, but she doesn't complain too much about 3 times a week any more. She does brush her teeth and wash her face twice a day, and she finally got the hint and started using her deoderant every morning.

 

[IDoDis]

A few weeks ago we were just about to leave the house to go out to dinner when I noticed DS 11's hair looked wet. I touched it but it was dry. I asked him, "When was the last time you washed your hair?" He couldn't remember although he showers every day because he gets sweaty from football practice.

We were in a big hurry so I did the old hospital trick of putting baby powder in his hair and then rustling it around so that the powder would soak up the grease and his hair would not greasy.

Fast forward a week later. I smelled the faint scent of baby powder in the kids' bathroom, but didn't have time to think about it. The next day I see a container of baby powder on the sink. I put it under the sink as I was cleaning. A few days later, the baby powder is back out on the sink.

I'm sure you all can guess what he was doing. He had decided he no longer had to wash his hair and all he needed to do was put baby powder in it when it started to look greasy.

 

[stm61]

I think I've got all categories covered:
boy 17- discovered girls last year and now lives in the shower, previously showered when he couldn't stand to smell himself, the dogs wanted to roll on him, his sisters attempted to de-stink him by spraying cologne/perfume on him, or he was forced in by me
girl 11 going on 16- has to have the "perfect" matching of jeans and shirt, would wear every kind of make up invented is she thought she would not get ratted out by various siblings, showers every other night and stays in there at least 20 min (would be longer if there wasn't always somebody banging on the bathroom door)
other girl 11- total opposite of twin, must be forced into shower and would wear the same outfit to school every day for 2 weeks if not for her sister informing on her
girl 7- hates showers, loves baths but has decided she's allergic to soap, unless it's the expensive shower gel her older sister got from grandma or involves lots of bubbles
boy 5- likes showers, but has decided he needs to wear snorkel so he doesn't drown (thank you big brother) which means washing his hair around the face mask and head strap, will use entire bottle of axe if it's not hidden in a locked room

 

[goofyernmost]

A few weeks ago we were just about to leave the house to go out to dinner when I noticed DS 11's hair looked wet. I touched it but it was dry. I asked him, "When was the last time you washed your hair?" He couldn't remember although he showers every day because he gets sweaty from football practice.

We were in a big hurry so I did the old hospital trick of putting baby powder in his hair and then rustling it around so that the powder would soak up the grease and his hair would not greasy.

Fast forward a week later. I smelled the faint scent of baby powder in the kids' bathroom, but didn't have time to think about it. The next day I see a container of baby powder on the sink. I put it under the sink as I was cleaning. A few days later, the baby powder is back out on the sink.

I'm sure you all can guess what he was doing. He had decided he no longer had to wash his hair and all he needed to do was put baby powder in it when it started to look greasy.

It may be an "old" trick but I never heard of it before. Doesn't that make him look like he is getting gray?

 

[PollyannaMom]

I love this thread!

I had a lovely conversation with DS9 just a couple of days about about the need to actually wash behind ones ears, not just count on the shampoo dripping there.

 

[marcyinPA]

I also have a DS11, and a DS15, who is currently trying to get his acne under control...it helps if you wash your face 2x a day....

Anyway, I was trying to use DS15's acne issues as a teaching moment for my DS11, telling him to take good care of his skin now.

His reply: "I'm supposed to wash my face?"

 

[IDoDis]

It may be an "old" trick but I never heard of it before. Doesn't that make him look like he is getting gray?

No, not if you rustle the hair around and get it all mixed in. Then comb through it. You can't see any powder or discoloration. The greasy look is gone. The problem was my 11 year old saw this as a permanent solution to avoid washing his hair -- ever.