Why is my 9 yo dd obsessed with fashion but uninterested in grooming?

[Anonymous]

DD is quite obsessed with putting outfits together. Covets Justice, etc. Seems to mimic friends' interests. I don't particularly like it, but whatever.

What slays me, however, is she couldn't care less about bathing frequently and actually brushing her long, blonde hair.

[Anonymous]

That's just how it goes. My almost 12 yr old would think nothing of going a week between showerrs?.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a tween to me! My 10 year old is similar, getting better. She's athletic and wears her hair in a ponytail most of the time now, which helps eliminate the need for hair brushing a little.

[Anonymous]

Same here -- almost-9 year old. Pulling teeth to get her to bathe after dance class.

[Anonymous]

Comforting to know my 12 yr. old DD is not the only one!!

Although she's good a showering every other night, she wants her hair in a braid but doesn't want (me) to re-braid it in the morning. It;s a battle to cut her bangs even when they are down to her eye lashes. UGH!

DH says not to fight it as when her girlfriends start having boyfriends, she will take more interest in her appearance.

[Anonymous]

Exactly like my 7 year old. I also find it funny that my DD always wears pony tail holders around her wrist, but never willingly combs her hair and never wears jewelry except earrings.

[Anonymous]

I am glad to hear this. My dd is 9 and won't let me brush her hair, but it's a rats nest and has mats in it. I actively encourage her to brush it, wash it, comb it out. I bought several kinds of conditioner to help with this. And yes, loves justice! She almost had all the knots out, and then got sick with strep. Her hair again is a tangled mess.

[Anonymous]

Typical. They out grow it when they are ready. I gave up pushing and DC started general grooming and showering on a regular basis on her own. Middle school does it to most because of body changes and peer pressure.

[Anonymous]

Well I have a 12yr old who isn't into fashion or hygiene so at least you have one.

[Anonymous]

Well, since it's blonde, it must be brushed!

[Anonymous]

When I went through this with my daughter, I told her she had to start brushing her hair or she would have to get it cut short. She said she wanted her hair to look nice, but it hurt too much to brush. She agreed to cutting a couple of inches off so it was a little above the shoulder, and we used a leave in conditioner after washing her hair that helped with the brushing. The combination of the cut and the conditioner seemed to help. She's a couple of years older now, and is starting to take an interest in brushing and styling her hair.

[Anonymous]

Very typical. She will grow out of it soon enough!

[Anonymous]

This is my 10 year old, who only recently started brushing her hair when the stylist had to cut out a chunk because of an untanglable mess. But the rest of her hygiene? Not a care in the world. She will, however, spend hours putting together the perfect outfit for such important events as dance class or a trip to Target.

[Anonymous]

Yup. My 8 yr DD is horrific about hygiene but spends hours obsessing about fashion. Including fantastically thought out outfits and a sketchbook full of designs. I tell her her clothing would look even better if she washed her face, combed her hair, etc but she isn't interested in that yet. Agree that it will likely improve in a few years and until then I will enjoy the ensembles and creative design mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical. They out grow it when they are ready. I gave up pushing and DC started general grooming and showering on a regular basis on her own. Middle school does it to most because of body changes and peer pressure.