We were in the car the other day and I thought I smelled onion rings. Not good onion rings; onion rings left in a dumpster in July.
I said “WHAT is that smell? Did someone go to Sonic (and not invite me) and leave food in the car?”
My older daughter admitted that she probably needed a shower.
In her defense, she’d just had dance class. THE DAY BEFORE.
Both my tweens are blossoming into young women. I noticed my youngest had that odor we call “onion armpits” as early as seven.
I’ve bought them both deodorant, but I suppose there’s more to having them smell fresh and clean than just making the purchase.
We had a talk in the car today (with the windows down) about good hygiene. It was a good talk. I learned my girls didn’t realize deodorant needed to be applied to underarms that are
- clean, and also
- dry,
- and that it needs to happen daily, not weekly.
I’ve been through this stage twice before with my now-teen boys. It was way easier because my older son is naturally fastidious and my younger son has just never been very stinky.
I’ve found the best conversations with my tweens and teens take place in the car. They like it because I can’t make eye contact and I like it because they can’t escape or stare at a screen.
Here’s a screen for you to stare at.
This is part of Unilever’s “Don’t Fret the Sweat” campaign.
Check out Don’t Fret the Sweat on Facebook. They have a matchmaker that will help you and your child pick a deodorant that will help him or her stay fresh and confident and help you not gag in close quarters.
I like some of the new choices they are marketing to tweens. Some have a matching, light body spray. Others are for sensitive skin or contain more natural ingredients.
Better than when I was twelve and had to use my grandmother’s bottle of roll-on Tussy. That will scar a girl.
I’m a member of the One2One marking network. I was not perk’d or paid to write this post, but I am entered into a giveaway. My integrity is important to me and these opinions are mine alone.
Oh yeah.. I can remember when my son was capable of stinking up the whole house on a summer day. We discovered that he really needed an antiperspirant and not just deodorant.
True, and boys have that whole underarm hair thing going on.
My girls and I talked about that too. They voted and agreed on "gross".
My grandmother's Tussy wasn't roll on. It was a cream you dipped your finger into and rubbed it on.
Anyhow. I introduced my kids to baking soda. It works even if they aren't clean to start, even if they're wet, and on an entire football squad that is fixing to get into your van immediately after drills…. all of them. For 39 cents.
Amy, that's a great idea! I may have my girls do a pit test and compare.
OMG, the roll-on Tussy! What a memory!! And I just went through the anti-perspirant vs. deodorant debate with my son, too… Ahhh, the joys of puberty!
HILARIOUS post, Nota. The thought of Tussy, roll-on or cream, makes me break out in a sweat. I am not kidding you. It brings on a visceral reaction of revulsion. GAAAAAAAA!
Our homeschool umbrella school did a production of a musical last year, and I was directing. We were rehearsing in the sanctuary of the church in which we meet when two other teachers came out of the side prayer room, made horrible faces, and ran for the lobby. That's when I knew I had NO choice but to offer a deodorant tutorial to my entire cast! We ended up with nametags on each deodorant stick off-stage, and as soon as I called for a break, they would all yell, "Re-apply!" A year later, they still say it randomly to me when we see each other. 🙂
Sabrina, that's so cute!
I remember in 5th grade having the "your changing body" lecture in school.
Now 5th grade seems so young, but they really can have a big-person stink.
ROTFL! Hilarious!
My 14 YO daughter was teasing her 12 YO brother, that he needed a shower (and had apparently neglected deodorant)
She informed him…he had "MAN FUNK".
That has now become our "someone needs a shower" phrase…as in, I detect man funk!
Kimberly, the only thing worse than Man Funk is when they use Axe body spray to try to cover it up. It just makes it worse!
LOL! SO true!
Multiply by 200 in my book (I am asthmatic, and allergic to that stuff! BLEAH!)
Took a few explanations for my 9 year old to understand that deodorant is a PREVENTATIVE, not a COVER FOR STINK. lol
christy