How to Talk to Tweens About Personal Hygiene

If you know a tween, a preteen or a child that is not quite a teenager that has a little difficulty with personal hygiene, it may be hard to bring up the subject in a way that will not hurt their feelings. Here are some tips to get you on the right path.

Things You'll Need

• A comfortable relationship with the tween
• Hygiene kit, filled with samples of deodorant, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and a toothbrush

Instructions

1. Make sure the tween is comfortable with you. It will be easier hearing this information from someone they can talk to without feeling embarrassed.

2. Give them a special "hygiene kit." You can use this opportunity to talk about bathing often enough to keep hair clean and body odors at bay. Let them know that if they get greasy hair, it is important to wash it, every day or at least every other day. Having greasy hair can contribute to having acne on the forehead.

3. Talk to the parents. Sometimes the parents have tried to talk to their tween about hygiene, but won't listen to them. Let the parents know that you talked to their tween about hygiene. If you are the parent, and your tween don't want to listen to you about good hygiene, contact the school nurse. They typically handle these situations well. They also may have a kit to give to your tween.

4. Let the tween ask questions if they have any, and answer them. If they don't have time in the morning to get ready before school, talk to the school nurse or principal, they may be able to offer a place at school for the tween to "get ready."

Tips & Warnings

• Make it seem normal talking about good hygiene

• If they don't know, show them the proper way to apply deodorant

• Talk to them about wearing clean clothes

Resources

• No B.O.!: The Head-to-Toe Book of Hygiene for Preteens