Summary: The shower at Jen's house<br> <br> Have a boy who hates to shower?<br> <br> You are not alone!<br> <br> When a mom recently asked the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/945086638893108/?ref=bookmarks">Building Boys Facebook group</a>, "Anyone else have a teenage boy who hates to shower?" she was quickly inundated with support and sympathy.<br> <br> Personal hygiene, it seems, is not a priority for most tween and teen boys.<br> <br> Lots of moms said they're dealing with the exact same issue. Others said that their boys spend a lot of time in the shower, but come out with unwashed, still-dirty hair.<br> <br> Is this lack of interest in appearance and, um, smell, merely a stage that will resolve without intervention?<br> <br> Or should parents and teachers take a more active role in teaching and reinforcing hygiene habits?<br> <br> Turns out, the best approach is actually a combination of those two strategies.<br> In this episode, Jen & Janet discuss:<br> <br> * WHY some boys seems oblivious to their own stench<br> * The essential role of 5th grade teachers in the hygiene battle<br> * How colored liquid soap can help boys shower effectively<br> * "Man soap" vs. "girly soap"<br> * Axe bombs (Don't know what that is? Listen in at 12:41!)<br> * When -- and how -- to have the hygiene talk<br> * When boys should start using deodorant - & how to make sure your boys use it regularly (Listen carefully for <a href="http://www.on-boys-podcast.com/meet-jennifer/">Jen's</a> pro tips!)<br> * The role of role-modeling in personal hygiene<br> * How to get the stench out of your boys' gym clothes and sports uniforms<br> * Tooth brushing (Spoiler: Instill good tooth brushing habits when you boys are young!)<br> * Hair care<br> * How to combine male bonding and hygiene rituals (not as weird as it sounds!)<br> * BEING NEUTRAL!<br> <br> Links we mentioned (or should have) in Episode 120:<br> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Boying-Up-Brave-Bold-Brilliant/dp/0525515976/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1531327012&sr=8-1&keywords=boying+up+mayim+bialik">Boying Up: How to be Brave, Bold and Brilliant</a>. by Mayim Bialik -- A great book to leave laying around the house. Includes detailed hygiene instructions for boys.<br> <br> <a href="https://buildingboys.net/parenting-teen-boys-is/">Parenting Teen Boys Is..</a>. -- BuildingBoys post by Jen. Includes this pic:<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="https://www.medicaldaily.com/why-do-teenagers-smell-bad-study-suggests-they-may-be-unable-detect-own-scent-409231">Why Do Teenagers Smell Bad? Study Suggests They May Be Unable to Detect Own Scent</a> -- report of Danish research
