Stinky Feet and Teen Hygiene: School Nurse Tips On The Smelly Years!
By Anne Kolsky Submitted On October 16, 2014
If I had a dollar for every middle school teacher that asked me to have "The Talk" with a student, I would retire and move to Bora Bora tomorrow.
What is "The Talk?" No, it's not THAT talk, it's the Talk about Smelly Feet, Smelly Armpits, Greasy Hair, Dirty Clothes, and Morning Breath (all day).
Middle School Teen Years. May God bless the teachers on the front line. They are too respectful to wear a gas mask and too kind to say anything to the student directly. They do not want to ruin a good relationship with a great kid, but when their eyes are watering in the middle of a lecture, it's time. Time to call the Nurse, that is.
Most of the time this "Stinky Phase" is a normal part of growing up. Some kids are just clueless, some are "lazy", and some just refuse.
- If they are clueless, we can teach them.
- If they are "lazy" or "distracted" we can suggest that cleaning up is good idea to help make and keep friends.
- Some would rather do something fun than do "that".
- If they refuse, it could be due to depression, trauma, or some type of mental illness. Please see a mental health practitioner or your general practitioner if you feel this is the case.
- Resistance: "We" are becoming "I". Your child is trying to figure out who he or she is. Part of that process is resistance to suggestions from parents.
- Puberty: things are happening. That cute no-longer-4-year old that needed a bath once-in-a-while now needs one daily. Smelly bacteria has found a home in your kid. It's a fact. Not a pleasant fact, but truth.
Ideas to Resist Resistance:
At a calm time, sit down and ask,
- "What is the reason you don't want to shower (brush your teeth)?"
- "What don't you like about it?"
- Discuss the problems.
- How can we solve this problem in a different and healthy way?
- Discuss the changes the child is going through in his or her body and what to expect. Not comfortable or not sure yourself? Call your school nurse or pediatrician to have "The Talk" or for tips on how to Have The Talk.
What Your Child Needs:
- Bathe daily.
- Deodorant and anti-perspirant. Use both. Kids sweat even when not running around.
- After running around, teach to WASH, then re-apply anti-perspirant/deodorant.
- Discuss the positives: why bathing daily is helpful to make new friends instead of negatives such as, "You won't have any friends if you don't bathe."
- Some parents like to use incentives.
- Natural Consequences: Kids, for better or worse, are blunt and will tell your child, "Pew! Your breath stinks".
- School Consequences: students "get to" visit the Nurse or Guidance Counselor. Talk about embarrassing (for both of us!)
- Giving Reminders?
- Washing clothes and bedding frequently?
- Providing the right tools: toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, etc.?
- Providing Knowledge (teaching about body changes)?
- Role Modeling (are YOU washing your clothes, bedding, brushing your teeth, bathing frequently?)
- NOT assuming that your child knows what to do just because he or she is "old enough to know".
Other ideas that might help:
Ganoderma lucidum. This is a mushroom that comes packaged in special ways; yummy hot chocolate (tea and coffee as well!), capsules, soap and toothpaste.
The beauty of Ganoderma is that it has natural anti-bacterial properties that not only kill the bad bacteria, but actually promotes over all well-being.
Many parents and their children use it daily to keep colds at bay, keep the body as clean as possible, and help to improve mental focus.
Ganoderma is a wonderful tool to use in your arsenal to help your child practice the good hygiene needed, especially at this age.
This school nurse uses it daily. People always remark, "How come you never get sick?" (Remember, these are middle schoolers... who still need to get close to a "mom figure" when they feel sick... ). I always answer, "The two G's: God and Ganoderma".
I need to stay healthy for my other clients who are extremely medically fragile. A small cold from me could mean hospital or worse for them. It's that important! It's also that good.
I have found this to be one of the best ways to stay healthy. Since simply switching my coffee, the few times I have been sick, it has never been profound or prolonged. Overall, my health is the best it's been in years.
Never hesitate to contact this school nurse for more information. I would be glad to share the Secrets of the Treasure of the Earth with you.
Anne Kolsky is a Proud Mom, Registered Nurse, and CEO of Avai's Dream. Come on over and visit her at the Blog:http://lifeofqueenanneblog.weebly.com/ or check out how to get the best of the best at http://howtochooseyourganoderma.weebly.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Kolsky
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