11 year old not taking shower regularly

[Anonymous]

replying to 20:20; I am from USA originally, as is my spouse (I shower daily, she does not). I think this ended up like this b/c when I was little, I took a bath once a week, and I just figured when she went into puberty, she'd want to shower more, as I did, but since she did not, I just make sure she cleans so she's not smelly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is so common. They go through this shower resistant phase and then they will be taking the longest showers ever and your water bill will double.

I'm pretty laid back, but bathing was not negotiable. I do think making the shower area easy and pleasant for them to use is helpful, but there is no negotiation. I let them know a timeframe, and if they haven't showered at the end, they sit and do nothing until they shower. I've only had to go there a few times, they may grouse going in, but once in they usually sing and sometimes afterwards will comment that showering is not so bad.

Yes. This is not negotiable, especially since she is a girl and you need to explain to her she will soon be going through changes, or rather - her body will be going through many changes, as she becomes a woman. Explain there are certain odors which come with those changes, and while ok and normal, she really does now need to get into the habit of showering regularly, or people will talk.

It’s just how life is; she doesn’t need to like but she does need to accept it and do something g about it.

[Anonymous]

Now I can't relate because my daughter LOVES to shower. It's her third favorite hobby, behind hanging out with her friends and soccer! But tell your smelly daughter that no one will be friends with her if she's unhygienic.

[Anonymous]

Our daughter does take showers enough, but I think it’s normal for some girl. She just doesn’t seem to care and no matter what we say nothing has changed. I figure she will change eventually and one of her friends is even worse. For the entire 4 days she stayed with us she didn’t shower at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every day. No arguing because it’s every day, so wasn’t a negotiation. DD is AA so if hair is natural she conditions it every morning so it looks nice. If it’s in twists of braids she wears a shower cap. Doesn’t wash it for 2 weeks.

This - Same.
Please and thank you.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry. This must be difficult. My spouse is a dentist and one of our kids did not want to brush his teeth. So gross. I would have to march him into the bathroom in middle school and watch him brush his teeth.

He finally did improve but it was a battle. Some kids are just don't care.