how do you tell your son he stinks without hurting his feeling he's 12 yrs old?

Question

my son can take a bath every day and still stink, he goes to the dentist any thats the only thing that he has fresh on his body

Answer 1

It would be a lot better to hear it gently from someone who loves him, rather than some insensitive kid at school. Have an open, honest talk with your son, and let him know that as he gets older, it is important to take good care of his body - including showering, using soap, deodorant, etc. He may not be aware of his odor - kind of like those who wear too much perfume/cologne - you get used to it and don't notice it. There are kind, gentle ways to approach the subject that won't hurt his feelings, but will make him aware of the need to be aware. Good luck!

Answer 2

Isn't it amazing how they can be so sweet and fresh as babies then they get to an age when they are all BO! You have to sit him down and tell him he is now old enough to start worrying about his appearance to the ladies. tell him you are going shopping and let him pick out his own deo-for-the-BO and some cologne or Axe deodorant soap and foot powder. Make it a rite of passage into manhood. Buy him one of those little shaving kit pouches to put it all in. If you make it a special Man-to-man day, he will want to use those products and not feel bad about you thinking he stinks. Let him know that it's ok to sweat when he's shooting hoops or working hard, but when you get around people you gotta look good and smell good. It can be a memorable time for both of you. That's what I did with my son.

Answer 3

I'd buy him a shave kit with deordorant, special soap, Old Spice is a good one to start them with, and a small bottle of something like the new AXE spray. Remind him he's getting older now, and becoming a man. He needs to use these things everyday to stay fresh and clean. Make sure he showers every day. Let him know the people around him like smelling his freshness, or the smell of his new cologne. I did this with my son and he appreciated it. Course I come from a half hillbilly family and we don't mince words either. So if he hadn't taken the stuff and used it, someone in the family would have been honest and said straight up, boy you stink, where's your smelly man stuff mom got you. I'm sure if you give the boy the shave kit and have the talk, he'll be fine.

Answer 4

He is pubescent try getting him a personal odor control bathing set, a bar or bottle of castile soap (or Safeguard), shampoo designed for his hair type (ie: Head and shoulders if he has dandruff, shampoo for oily, dry, normal hair, or for his specific color), deodorant (try Rightgaurd or Old Spice - fresh not perfumy), If you make his personal hygiene personal, he may respond and follow through. He is a bit young for cologne but a product like Old Spice or English leather is fresh smelling and he can be taught to use it without excess. Also a weekly round up of laundry including sheets to wash with detergent plus Borax will keep his clothing fresh. Most young boys don't want flowery or "girl scents" so get some dryer balls to de-static his laundry and leave no telltale floral fragrances behind. Hormones do all kinds of wacky things to the body they increase oil production, disrupt concentration and create mood swings. I recommend getting a book so you have answers for his myriad of questions and can help him through the next few years. Good Luck!

Answer 5

I started puberty about 12 and my whole body chemistry changed. The problem is, it's really hard to notice when you're the one who smells. It's your job to tell this kid the plain truth he needs to hear. Don't over-think this. Just get him alone (so as not to embarrass) and tell him point-blank. "Son, you really, really stink!" Better he hears it from family, than ends up the object of ridicule by his peers. You'd tell your best friend, if he needed to know, wouldn't you? Why should your own son recieve any less? He's getting to be a man now, time to treat him like one.

Answer 6

He probably isn't taking a proper bath. Just because someone uses water, deodorant, soap, and shampoo does not mean they are clean. My son is also 12, and, for whatever reason, stopped doing a good job washing his hair. I simply told him his hair smelled and he needed to spend more time on it, and himself.
Just tell your son he does not smell as good as he should. It would be better coming from you than from the kids at school. Kids can be mean, and he might end up with an unwanted nickname like "BO Boy" or "Stinky"!

Best luck.

Answer 7

You need to get him some deodorant, cologne and a stronger body wash.

You don't need to tell him he stinks. Tell him he is a man now and needs to smell like one.

Answer 8

Maybe take him to the store and let him pick out his own personal hygine products. I know like others have said the AXE is a good product, maybe let him pick out his own sent and get him the spray deoderant and body wash and see if he is interested to shower more and use it because it is what he likes.

Answer 9

Now i have no clue of what it feels like to have a child! But just make sure he takes a shower every single day. Tell him it attracts the ladies, you know if he smells good.

Answer 10

Dont tell him that he stinks.... that will just upset him, how about you go shopping for deodourant or buy him a nice bottle as a present, tact is what you need to deal with this problem!!