boys hitting puberty

[flump1]

Unlike the obvious signs that girls show how will I know when my 12 year old son needs to use an antiperspirant? Is it a case of hairy armpits need deoderant? any advice please.

[woofgang]

ummm....when he smells?

[flump1]

thanks woolfgang!!!  wondered if I could adress it before he become a stinkbag!!!

[Robinia]

I was on my own with 2 boys (so no mens toiletries around) & as they got older - about the same age as your son I think - I asked them if they'd prefer something a bit less 'flowery' in the bathroom.  Then you just throw in a body spray with the shower gel etc - they love it, makes them feel grown up.  Until the novelty wears off  that is!  My youngest seemed to develop a soap & water phobia for a while - you have been warned!

[andy hughes]

Puberty means that perspiration develops bacteria, which is what smells, whjich is why younger children don't smell as bad, or as quickly.

By twelve, you should be educating your son into good hygene habits - daily bathing, and ensure an anti-persirant is available for him - offer unscented if he worries about the perfume, and encourage him that bathing and smelling nice are good things - B.O. is not!

[flump1]

robinia and andy hughes  thanks very much great advice he's kind of shy and while he is close to his dad they do not talk personal things!

[Gef]

He will know when the time has come. Make sure he uses a deodorant and not an antiperspirant.

[flump1]

thanks gef will try to make sure it deo

[morg_monster]

I dread opening a can of worms... but Gef why don't you think he should use an antiperspirant?

[crop]

Well being a 14 year old boy myself, he should use deodorant when he starts swetting a lot under the arms.
 


 
 

[cazz218]

you'll know and so will he when the right time comes. can't you try and get his dad to talk to him - man to man sorta things.  don't make an issue of it he will sort it out himself,  we all get thru puberty one way or another with no real harm done - its just life!

PS once girls enter the scene you won't be able to breathe for the smell of Lynx !!!

[Lore]

You could take him shopping -   mother / son  quality time... go to Boots and ask him what products he'd like now that he's growing up. Joke that you don't want him to use your products and smell like a girl! 12 year olds love bragging to their peers about which products they use - you should see the boys at my school when they get changed after swimming!  I've never seen so many sprays!  

[Gef]

For morg_monster. Sweating is a natural process. Anti-perspirants prevent this by clogging up the pores which ,in my opinion, is not natural. Deodorants simply mask any smell which might be produced.

[hopalong]

Make sure after a he washes he dries his himself properly and then use antiperspirant

[EssJay1]

Be prepared for the smelly stage though. My eldest son didn't realise what he'd put us through until his brother went through the same stage. No amount of education, hints, direct insults or quality shopping time worked. They both just realised and now smell much sweeter. Just my daughter to go now!

[flump1]

thanks EssJay1  I was rather hoping to miss the smelly bit!! I have had some great advice on this touchy subject and will try it all at some stage i'm sure.