Teacher told class they need to wear deodorant.

[Anonymous]

OP just curious what you are thinking about the situation now that you've had all this input?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 7 yo (first grader but very big and tall for his age) needs deoderant. We use Tom's and it works great. Our pediatrician said it was normal.

My 7.5 year old definitely gets what we refer to in our family 'pit funk' after playing hard--sports games and practices. You can only smell it when he takes off his shirt and if you were to sniff the arm pits of his shirt. We bathe nightly and scrub the pits. When it gets to the point we can smell him through the shirt we'll be giving him the Tom's too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:YEp. That's the age! not everyone is stinky at once and obviously if your daughter isn't smelly yet you don't have to comply. There are also many natural alternatives like 'Tom's of Maine' and baby powder for the less stinky.

I have boys and when they get there I'll be sure to comply. I feel for the teachers---that age can be severely stink and bile-inducing...I used to be a camp counselor.

Former camp counselor, current mom and frequent school volunteer.

Kids being to collectively stink in third grade. Its revolting.

In addition to deodorant, children also need a daily bath or shower, perhaps a shampoo, clean clothes, socks, shoes and clean bedsheets.

My DD is just 7 and doesn't have b.o. per say, but she just smells sweaty at the end of the day and must take a shower every night.

I had a mom friend who defied the 5th grade teacher's orders to have her DD use deodorant; this teen is now 14 is has become a social outcast - her b.o. is horrendous and other kids avoid her. The mom also apparently thinks its fine if her DD takes a shower a few times a week. Don't be that mom.

[Anonymous]

They covered deodorant as a topic during their 1 day FLE presentation. I thought it was crazy but my 9 yr just started to get random days of smelly arm pits. A whole class of this would annoy me too, but these kids don't realize it.

[Anonymous]

Our teachers covered it in 5th grade when I was in school, so 4th doesn't seem unreasonable. I agree that if you don't think she stinks yet, you can let her wait a little longer.

[Anonymous]

Don't be so offended. Your DD probably smells fine. Yes, there are 9 and 10 year olds who are approaching puberty and it is far kinder for the teacher to talk to the class instead of privately cornering the few smelly kids for a lesson in deodorant. it also helps them avoid being teased (this WILL happen).

Usually the PE/ health teacher is the one who gives the talk, but maybe this teacher thought it best to inform them.

[Anonymous]

How active is your daughter? Maybe she isn't sweating as much as the kids who are really sporty and active.

Kids with poor diets don't smell very good either. Ugh, that fried food smell just seeps out of the pores (poors?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Kids with poor diets don't smell very good either. Ugh, that fried food smell just seeps out of the pores (poors?)

Did you intend the double-entendre?

[Anonymous]

My 4th grade teacher gave us the same speech, and it was in 1984. It's not too early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, if everybody has the "natural" smell no one will notice it.

ohhhhhhkay - keep tellin' yourself that

Noticed that in Europe.

[Anonymous]

My 8 YO DD has some really smelly days and started wearing deodorant recently. Learning to wash well with antibacterial soap (Dial) helps, too, possibly more.

Since breast cancer runs in DH's family, I was more than a little concerned about aluminum in antiperspirant, which is why I picked out a deodorant for her. Once sensitive to this difference, you'll notice it in the labels, etc.

If your DD doesn't have an issue yet, you can either let it slide, or pick out a deodorant you feel is safe and appropriate. Using it now will help get her in the habit and prevent the stink before it happens or she is teased for it. Kind of like a training bra. Some girls want to wear a bra before the "need" it. It can be more about fitting in.

[Anonymous]

It's part of the 4th grade FLE curriculum. Her statement fits right in with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is 9, and in 4th grade.

She came home yesterday telling me she needs to start wearing deodorant. I asked why. "The teacher told us to.". She told the whole class, did not single out my child.

I realize it's getting hot and the kids are getting sweaty at recess. But deodorant on a NINE year old???? My child is not in puberty yet. She doesn't smell. I buried my face in her arm pit to check, no smell.

I think I'd rather delay my child using deodorant as long as possible because I've heard that they can be linked to breast cancer. She'll have enough years ahead of her of exposure to deodorant, she doens't need to start at NINE.

Am I way off base here? Is it normal for a 4th grade teacher to give a blanket directive to a bunch of nine year olds to start using deodorant???

Yes, you are way off base. Fourth graders need to wear deodorant. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YEp. That's the age! not everyone is stinky at once and obviously if your daughter isn't smelly yet you don't have to comply. There are also many natural alternatives like 'Tom's of Maine' and baby powder for the less stinky.

I have boys and when they get there I'll be sure to comply. I feel for the teachers---that age can be severely stink and bile-inducing...I used to be a camp counselor.

Former camp counselor, current mom and frequent school volunteer.

Kids being to collectively stink in third grade. Its revolting.

In addition to deodorant, children also need a daily bath or shower, perhaps a shampoo, clean clothes, socks, shoes and clean bedsheets.

My DD is just 7 and doesn't have b.o. per say, but she just smells sweaty at the end of the day and must take a shower every night.

I had a mom friend who defied the 5th grade teacher's orders to have her DD use deodorant; this teen is now 14 is has become a social outcast - her b.o. is horrendous and other kids avoid her. The mom also apparently thinks its fine if her DD takes a shower a few times a week. Don't be that mom.

Wow, you sound so judgmental for someone who supposedly spends so much time around kids. If it's so revolting, don't go back to the classroom. Really, that girl's teacher "ordered" her to use deodorant, and her mother "defied" her?? I'm wondering who taught the other kids to make that poor girl a social outcast.

Oh, and by the way, it's "per se", not "per say".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD is 9, and in 4th grade.

She came home yesterday telling me she needs to start wearing deodorant. I asked why. "The teacher told us to.". She told the whole class, did not single out my child.

I realize it's getting hot and the kids are getting sweaty at recess. But deodorant on a NINE year old???? My child is not in puberty yet. She doesn't smell. I buried my face in her arm pit to check, no smell.

I think I'd rather delay my child using deodorant as long as possible because I've heard that they can be linked to breast cancer. She'll have enough years ahead of her of exposure to deodorant, she doens't need to start at NINE.

Am I way off base here? Is it normal for a 4th grade teacher to give a blanket directive to a bunch of nine year olds to start using deodorant???

That's just stupid. Is that everyone's excuse on the metro? WTF

The deodarant causing breast cancer thing was a hoax from the 90's.