My kid hasn't taken a bath since last Sunday

[Anonymous]

Kids need to be learning good personal hygiene. Perhaps certain parents here are hoping to never have grandchildren.

Who expects a healthy marriage with a person who has poor hygiene? This is really shameful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not fair to your kids to bathe them so infrequently, as they have no choice in the matter. When they get older they will likely be made fun of in school, and good luck getting them to practice good hygiene once they get to middle school and have to deal with body odor. You seriously can't take 5 minutes to dip them in the bathtub and wash them up?

This is not at all what happened with my kids. They also only took one or two baths a week up until puberty. Once they hit middle school they went from showering once or twice a week to showering once or twice a day, without me reminding them. It just happens -- by the end of middle school they wanted to look and feel good. (This also extended to their wardrobes which went from 100% athletic wear to real clothes.)

It really is okay to let younger kids not shower every day and it is probably better for them. It doesn't mean that they won't have good hygiene as young adults.

My mom sounded exactly like your mom. And yes, once I hit middle school I started showering a lot more often. You know why? Because I started to become horrendously bullied about my appearance and lack of hygiene (which I didn't know I was supposed to have). A kind fellow middle-schooler pulled me aside and told me that I shouldn't have dirt under my fingernails and that I probably needed to wash my hair more frequently. I had to start learning the basics of hygiene myself. I also started asking for "real" clothes because my little-girl, age-inappropriate wardrobe was the subject of significant teasing as well.

So yeah. You're probably right that they "naturally" started on their own -- because their unforgiving peers have pointed out to them that they don't know the basics. Kids are cruel about these things.

I have taught my kids good hygiene habits from the start. They will never go through what I did.

I asked my boys, now 16 & 18, if they were bullied and they said absolutely not. Even though they only showered in elementary school once or twice a week during the school year (more during summer) they always had clean faces and hands, trimmed nails and hair, and clean clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not fair to your kids to bathe them so infrequently, as they have no choice in the matter. When they get older they will likely be made fun of in school, and good luck getting them to practice good hygiene once they get to middle school and have to deal with body odor. You seriously can't take 5 minutes to dip them in the bathtub and wash them up?

This is not at all what happened with my kids. They also only took one or two baths a week up until puberty. Once they hit middle school they went from showering once or twice a week to showering once or twice a day, without me reminding them. It just happens -- by the end of middle school they wanted to look and feel good. (This also extended to their wardrobes which went from 100% athletic wear to real clothes.)

It really is okay to let younger kids not shower every day and it is probably better for them. It doesn't mean that they won't have good hygiene as young adults.

My mom sounded exactly like your mom. And yes, once I hit middle school I started showering a lot more often. You know why? Because I started to become horrendously bullied about my appearance and lack of hygiene (which I didn't know I was supposed to have). A kind fellow middle-schooler pulled me aside and told me that I shouldn't have dirt under my fingernails and that I probably needed to wash my hair more frequently. I had to start learning the basics of hygiene myself. I also started asking for "real" clothes because my little-girl, age-inappropriate wardrobe was the subject of significant teasing as well.

So yeah. You're probably right that they "naturally" started on their own -- because their unforgiving peers have pointed out to them that they don't know the basics. Kids are cruel about these things.

I have taught my kids good hygiene habits from the start. They will never go through what I did.

I hope some of the lazy parents learn something here, and change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not fair to your kids to bathe them so infrequently, as they have no choice in the matter. When they get older they will likely be made fun of in school, and good luck getting them to practice good hygiene once they get to middle school and have to deal with body odor. You seriously can't take 5 minutes to dip them in the bathtub and wash them up?

This is not at all what happened with my kids. They also only took one or two baths a week up until puberty. Once they hit middle school they went from showering once or twice a week to showering once or twice a day, without me reminding them. It just happens -- by the end of middle school they wanted to look and feel good. (This also extended to their wardrobes which went from 100% athletic wear to real clothes.)

It really is okay to let younger kids not shower every day and it is probably better for them. It doesn't mean that they won't have good hygiene as young adults.

My mom sounded exactly like your mom. And yes, once I hit middle school I started showering a lot more often. You know why? Because I started to become horrendously bullied about my appearance and lack of hygiene (which I didn't know I was supposed to have). A kind fellow middle-schooler pulled me aside and told me that I shouldn't have dirt under my fingernails and that I probably needed to wash my hair more frequently. I had to start learning the basics of hygiene myself. I also started asking for "real" clothes because my little-girl, age-inappropriate wardrobe was the subject of significant teasing as well.

So yeah. You're probably right that they "naturally" started on their own -- because their unforgiving peers have pointed out to them that they don't know the basics. Kids are cruel about these things.

I have taught my kids good hygiene habits from the start. They will never go through what I did.

I hope some of the lazy parents learn something here, and change.

They won't. Look at the post before this one. Already with the excuses. The sad reality is that if you are lazy enough and disgusting enough to only bathe your kids once or twice a week - or once every ten days like the OP- there is nothing anyone can say to change your mind. Some people are just yucky. Teach your kids to be kind. Remind them that not everyone comes from a good home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A 5 year old can and some do smell. Unwashed hair etc.

Do your kids not go outside? Run around and sweat?

By the time all of the necessary parts are washed they might as well have a quick shower imo.

no. don't your kids go to to school or something? my kids prefer to be at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not fair to your kids to bathe them so infrequently, as they have no choice in the matter. When they get older they will likely be made fun of in school, and good luck getting them to practice good hygiene once they get to middle school and have to deal with body odor. You seriously can't take 5 minutes to dip them in the bathtub and wash them up?

This is not at all what happened with my kids. They also only took one or two baths a week up until puberty. Once they hit middle school they went from showering once or twice a week to showering once or twice a day, without me reminding them. It just happens -- by the end of middle school they wanted to look and feel good. (This also extended to their wardrobes which went from 100% athletic wear to real clothes.)

It really is okay to let younger kids not shower every day and it is probably better for them. It doesn't mean that they won't have good hygiene as young adults.

My mom sounded exactly like your mom. And yes, once I hit middle school I started showering a lot more often. You know why? Because I started to become horrendously bullied about my appearance and lack of hygiene (which I didn't know I was supposed to have). A kind fellow middle-schooler pulled me aside and told me that I shouldn't have dirt under my fingernails and that I probably needed to wash my hair more frequently. I had to start learning the basics of hygiene myself. I also started asking for "real" clothes because my little-girl, age-inappropriate wardrobe was the subject of significant teasing as well.

So yeah. You're probably right that they "naturally" started on their own -- because their unforgiving peers have pointed out to them that they don't know the basics. Kids are cruel about these things.

I have taught my kids good hygiene habits from the start. They will never go through what I did.

hey smelly, not everyone has dirt under nails like you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A 5 year old can and some do smell. Unwashed hair etc.

Do your kids not go outside? Run around and sweat?

By the time all of the necessary parts are washed they might as well have a quick shower imo.

no. don't your kids go to to school or something? my kids prefer to be at home.

The fact that your kids don't go outside and prefer just to remain in their home at all times is sadder than you being too lazy to bathe them. And how the hell do you not have time to bathe them when you are all just sitting around on your asses at home?

[Anonymous]

Alright, it's Sunday, do the urchins finally get a bath today or are we going for a record?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not fair to your kids to bathe them so infrequently, as they have no choice in the matter. When they get older they will likely be made fun of in school, and good luck getting them to practice good hygiene once they get to middle school and have to deal with body odor. You seriously can't take 5 minutes to dip them in the bathtub and wash them up?

This is not at all what happened with my kids. They also only took one or two baths a week up until puberty. Once they hit middle school they went from showering once or twice a week to showering once or twice a day, without me reminding them. It just happens -- by the end of middle school they wanted to look and feel good. (This also extended to their wardrobes which went from 100% athletic wear to real clothes.)

It really is okay to let younger kids not shower every day and it is probably better for them. It doesn't mean that they won't have good hygiene as young adults.

My mom sounded exactly like your mom. And yes, once I hit middle school I started showering a lot more often. You know why? Because I started to become horrendously bullied about my appearance and lack of hygiene (which I didn't know I was supposed to have). A kind fellow middle-schooler pulled me aside and told me that I shouldn't have dirt under my fingernails and that I probably needed to wash my hair more frequently. I had to start learning the basics of hygiene myself. I also started asking for "real" clothes because my little-girl, age-inappropriate wardrobe was the subject of significant teasing as well.

So yeah. You're probably right that they "naturally" started on their own -- because their unforgiving peers have pointed out to them that they don't know the basics. Kids are cruel about these things.

I have taught my kids good hygiene habits from the start. They will never go through what I did.

I asked my boys, now 16 & 18, if they were bullied and they said absolutely not. Even though they only showered in elementary school once or twice a week during the school year (more during summer) they always had clean faces and hands, trimmed nails and hair, and clean clothes.

+1. This is so sad and abusive. Please don't harm your child this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD takes baths for fun maybe once a week. Every night she has to wash her bottom with soap and water, wash hands, feet, face and teeth. I think that's plenty clean, esp considering how much water a bath uses.

I cannoy believe the last sentence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD takes baths for fun maybe once a week. Every night she has to wash her bottom with soap and water, wash hands, feet, face and teeth. I think that's plenty clean, esp considering how much water a bath uses.

I cannot believe the last sentence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alright, it's Sunday, do the urchins finally get a bath today or are we going for a record?

OP here. Yes, the little ragamuffin did get a bath on Saturday. Some additional facts - she didn't smell, has curly hair that doesn't get greasy, and the bath wasn't gray with dirt, or the least bit sludgy. She's never gone that long, it was just a rough, tiring week.

This is my house every night. Baths do NOT last 10 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not fair to your kids to bathe them so infrequently, as they have no choice in the matter. When they get older they will likely be made fun of in school, and good luck getting them to practice good hygiene once they get to middle school and have to deal with body odor. You seriously can't take 5 minutes to dip them in the bathtub and wash them up?

This is not at all what happened with my kids. They also only took one or two baths a week up until puberty. Once they hit middle school they went from showering once or twice a week to showering once or twice a day, without me reminding them. It just happens -- by the end of middle school they wanted to look and feel good. (This also extended to their wardrobes which went from 100% athletic wear to real clothes.)

It really is okay to let younger kids not shower every day and it is probably better for them. It doesn't mean that they won't have good hygiene as young adults.

My mom sounded exactly like your mom. And yes, once I hit middle school I started showering a lot more often. You know why? Because I started to become horrendously bullied about my appearance and lack of hygiene (which I didn't know I was supposed to have). A kind fellow middle-schooler pulled me aside and told me that I shouldn't have dirt under my fingernails and that I probably needed to wash my hair more frequently. I had to start learning the basics of hygiene myself. I also started asking for "real" clothes because my little-girl, age-inappropriate wardrobe was the subject of significant teasing as well.

So yeah. You're probably right that they "naturally" started on their own -- because their unforgiving peers have pointed out to them that they don't know the basics. Kids are cruel about these things.

I have taught my kids good hygiene habits from the start. They will never go through what I did.

I asked my boys, now 16 & 18, if they were bullied and they said absolutely not. Even though they only showered in elementary school once or twice a week during the school year (more during summer) they always had clean faces and hands, trimmed nails and hair, and clean clothes.

Of course they said that. If my mom had asked me if I was bullied over lack of hygiene at that age, I would have denied as well. Too embarrassing to say otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A 5 year old can and some do smell. Unwashed hair etc.

Do your kids not go outside? Run around and sweat?

By the time all of the necessary parts are washed they might as well have a quick shower imo.

no. don't your kids go to to school or something? my kids prefer to be at home.

The fact that your kids don't go outside and prefer just to remain in their home at all times is sadder than you being too lazy to bathe them. And how the hell do you not have time to bathe them when you are all just sitting around on your asses at home?

my kids prefer to read and do math. DH and myself are likewise homebodies. we have a wonderful house and i don't like nature/outdoor. different strokes for different folks.