Talking Tweens - What You Need to Know + a Giveaway

I was fortunate to be asked by The Motherhood to co-host an online chat on Tween Hygiene last week. The chat was a lot of fun but it made me realize that there are so many questions parents are asking that aren’t being addressed. Having a tween (ages 9 - 12) is a lot harder today than it was when we were all kids. There are so many more issues and kids are experiencing life at a much younger age. I thought it would be helpful to address some of the issues that parents were concerned about during the chat.

1. Body Odor - It all starts with the feet. I had to laugh at this comment because it is so true. I don’t know whether it is the feet themselves or the cheap shoes kids are all wearing these days, but stinky feet seems to be a problem we are all experiencing with our kids. So, it may start with the feet but the use of deodorant in tweens is becoming a necessity, as well as daily showers.

2. Puberty - Girls are developing earlier and earlier and are starting their periods at younger ages than most of us did. Talk to your daughters early enough so this doesn’t become a scary and taboo subject to talk about when it does happen. Fear and shame are big issues but open and honest communication can ease them through this huge change.

3. Shaving - The general consensus seemed to be shaving was a family issue, meaning that it was really the parents who approved when shaving (for both boys and girls) should begin. I think it should come from the child themselves. When your kid starts becoming aware (and embarrassed) about growing hair… it’s time to break out the razors.

I recommend you take a look at the follow up at The Motherhood and feel free to continue the discussion at Don’t Fret The Sweat on Facebook.

The Motherhood is hosting two more Chats. I will be there and would love to see all my friends there too.

October 4 - Tweens and Communication

October 11 - Tweens and Building Self-Esteem

And now for the GIVEAWAY. Thanks to Unilever, you can enter to win the following prize package:

A Vera Bradley Handbag
Dove Deodorant
Degree Girl Deodorant
Degree Men Deodorant
Queen Bees and Wannabees, by Rosalind Wiseman
Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials, by Rosalind Wiseman

I was compensated for participating in the Talking Tween Academy and I also received the above gift bag from Unilever. All comments are my own and I feel privileged to be asked to participate in this amazing discussion.