Did you guys know that girls typically begin puberty between ages 8-13? And, in those early years most parents neglect to teach their daughters proper personal hygiene. I mean, I don't remember being talked to about the importance of personal hygiene...it was kind of something I had to figure out as I went along..... As Jordyn grows into these "tween" years we are starting to focus a lot on proper personal hygiene. Developing a proper personal hygiene routine BEFORE puberty is full blown, during the early tween years, is vital because we are creatures of habit and if our girls are taught to take care of themselves early on, it'll continue through their teen and adult years.
I'm finding that proper personal hygiene isn't something thats really discussed but instead, is just expected...kind of like how we teach our kids about the importance of hand washing so as they grow older, we just expect it of them. The problem is that most young girls are not being taught how to take care of their developing bodies and why it's important, so how can they be expected to do something they were never taught?
Here are a few helpful tips to help get the ball rolling on developing a basic personal hygiene routine:
FIRST THINGS FIRST:
It all starts with a conversation. Sit them down and explain to them what changes their body is or will be going through. Most kids can grasp the concept of infections and diseases without knowing the in depth details so go ahead and explain the importance of proper personal hygiene, just leave out all the extra details you're uncomfortable with talking about. The goal is to help our girls feel comfortable in their developing bodies and helping them be informed and knowing the basics in personal hygiene is the first step.
SHOWERING:
When Jordyn was younger it was ok for her to miss a bath or shower every other night. If she went to stay the night at her cousins house and played too hard and fell asleep without showering, it wasn't a big deal. Now that she's older I insist on her showering daily. This is not only to get her clean, but to also create habit. Some girls may want to shower in the morning, some may want to shower at night...talk with your daughter to figure out what works best for her but insist that it is part of her daily schedule. Jordyn thinks showers are boring ( like...who are you?..showers are the most relaxing thing ever)...so I try and make it something she actually looks forward to with fun bath bombs, colorful bath puffs, and yummy smelling shower gels. You want to be careful with sensitive skin so make sure you know your daughters skin so you're buying products that won't cause outbreaks or rashes.
SKIN CARE:
SKIN CARE:
Since they are still pretty young, skin care at this age is really just about removing dirt while also creating habit and routine. Young tweens don't really need more than water and a gentle facial cleansing cloth to clean their face. The point is to teach them the basics of skin care so get your tween in the habit of washing their face morning and night. It's also not uncommon to see the beginning stages of puberty at this age, however, acne products are not yet necessary and will do more harm than good. If you are noticing the beginning signs of acne, a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil would be all their skin really needs.
DEODORANT Lets just get this out of the way; Our bodies need to sweat. It is the bodies way of regulating temperature and keeping us from overheating. Antiperspirants contain aluminum based ingredients that are meant to block the sweat glands. The aluminum based ingredients in antiperspirants have been linked to medical problems. I suggest skipping the antiperspirants. That being said, body odor is one of the first signs that puberty is beginning. Not all tweens need a deodorant, some simply need to wash more often. Everyones body differs so it is up to you to experiment and monitor your tween to figure out what your specific needs are. Deodorant will also not replace basic hygiene. Toms of Maine offers a great, antiperspirant free, deodorant option for young tweens. ORAL CARE: Oral care is one of the easiest things to create routine for and yet, it is often regarded as one of the lest important. Jordyn had braces in kindergarten and has since been really great at taking care of her teeth. Brushing and flossing twice a day has always been one of those things I have refused to let slide and as a result, Jordyn has beautiful, healthy teeth and has never had a cavity. Poor oral hygiene is linked to major health issues and can be the cause of low self esteem so it's important to visit the dentist twice a year and encourage a healthy oral healthcare routine. BTW, Jordyns dentist let us know that it is not necessary to use mouthwash because toothpaste has more fluoride in it than the actual mouthwash itself so, unless you just want an extra boost of tingly freshness...that step is not totally necessary. HAIR CARE: As a mother a naturally curly girl, I take full reign over hair care...as she's growing older though, i'm letting her have more control over her routine. Talk with your girls about the importance of maintaining clean hair and a clean scalp as oily hair can aggravate acne and product buildup on the scalp can cause irritation and itchiness. Some girls may want to wash more often than others..speak with your daughter about what schedule works best for her but stress the importance of cleaning her hair.  So by now you've covered the basics with your daughters; shower daily, brush your teeth, wash your face...In addition to these basics, it is important to talk with your daughter about more sensitive areas and topics. Speak with her about the importance of keeping her private areas clean and about menstruation. Let your girls know that these things are not for vanity reasons, they're for health reason and are a part of their daily responsibilities. If she is resistant to practicing basic hygiene, give her repercussions just as you would if she didn't do her chores. Of course, as they grow you'll introduce different products and add more to the routine as needed but for now you're just building the foundation...creating the habit so that it becomes routine for them. Using gentle reminders and practicing proper hygiene ourselves will also help with getting our girls to follow our lead...I mean, good luck with getting your daughter to wash her face every night if she never sees you doing it. Xo, Jeanice |