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Middle Years
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As the morning madness fizzles out and I head toward school with a car full of kids and five minutes to spare before the bell rings, I glance into the back seat and suddenly it hits me - didn’t she already wear that outfit this week? I hope she at least put on some clean underwear! As a preschooler, it wasn’t uncommon for my daughter to want to change her clothes several times a day, especially if she ate chocolate pudding. But since she’s learned to get the food into her mouth instead of on her shirt, she’s more interested in wearing her favorite outfits again and again rather than opting for clean clothes between wash days. I’ve also had to remind her recently that washing her hair requires shampoo in addition to the water. Have all those years of nighttime routines been erased from her memory? Is she going to wear that pair of jeans until they get so dirty they can stand up on their own? “Don’t worry,” says Dr. Maria Tupas, a pediatrician with Children’s Hospital of Orange County. “Dirtiness is more annoying for parents than it is harmful for kids.” According to Dr. Tupas, it’s not uncommon for kids to forget about personal hygiene during the middle years, simply because they think they have more important things to worry about like fitting in. At this age, children are more concerned about connecting with peer groups, which explains why a not-so-clean “cool” outfit is a more frequent choice than a fresh “so-yesterday” one, and hair combed just the right way, even if it’s dirty, is OK. Additionally, preteens aren’t nearly as self-conscious as the adolescents they will soon become. This may be because many haven’t experienced the joys of body odor, acne and sudden hair growth. Most of all, though, they haven’t yet discovered the opposite sex. As soon as they do, they will become more conscious of every aspect of their hygiene and appearance, assures Dr. Tupas. Until then, the best thing parents can do is model healthy hygiene habits themselves and encourage their children to maintain that tried and true routine. “Whether it’s a one- or two-parent family, anyone can set good examples when it comes to hygiene, diet, sleep and conduct, and it’s important that kids have that,” she says. As children approach puberty, beginning at age 9 for some girls, slightly later for boys, the increased amount of testosterone surging through their bodies will bring about changes like sweat glands, body odor, oily skin, hair growth, and ultimately menstruation for girls. As they become aware of these changes, girls are most likely to rethink their clean routine first, according to Dr. Tupas. But boys will probably follow suit as soon as they hear a few teasing remarks about their sweaty smell from the girls. TIPS FOR HYGIENE Don’t be surprised if your pediatrician addresses personal hygiene with your child during a well-check, but it you’re the one they come to first, here are some suggestions from Dr. Tupas. Showers daily, including soap and shampoo, should be a part of everyone’s routine. Soaks in the tub are OK once in awhile for girls, but bubble baths should be avoided to reduce the chance of urinary tract irritation. Dr. Tupas recommends using an antibacterial, moisturizing soap like Lever 2000 or Dove. Like hand washing, the rule of thumb is a good scrub for 15 seconds, or the same amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday.” And unlike adults, kids don’t need to worry about ”drying” out their hair if they wash it daily, so include that in the routine too. In addition to showering, youngsters this age need to start paying special attention to their face and mouth. Washing the face twice a day with a mild soap, like Neutrogena, can help put acne at bay. If not, Dr. Tupas recommends trying over the counter remedies before asking your pediatrician for a prescription acne medication. Likewise, good dental hygiene is important. Brushing at least twice a day, for 2 minutes, is the minimum. Remember, bad breath at this age is likely to signal a more serious problem like sickness or a cavity. And about those rerun outfits. Dr. Tupas warns that moisture is the biggest problem when it comes to clothing selected for extended wear. Some clothes don’t aerate well, especially underwear and undershirts, which can cause fungal infections and other skin irritations. Firm, consistent advice, not everyday nagging, is the best approach to take when it comes to encouraging your kids to stay clean, says Dr. Tupas. “Right now when you tell them they’re stinky, they may just laugh, but they will figure it out eventually. And when they start spending all their time in the bathroom and becoming more sensitive to your comments, you’ll realize why.” I‘m hoping we’ll still be working on the dirty clothes issue at our house for a few years to come. Michele Piazzoni of Folsom is a regular contributor. |
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