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can a 5th grader teacher tell students to bring deodorant or shower twices
dlrcoates September 2, 2011
lastnight my 10yr old son let me know that he needs to bring deodorant to school or take 2 showers 1 at night and 1 in the morning.My son take a showers before bed, he doesn't have bo it's summer yes he sweats it smell, so does my 6yr old. When kids play or have PE they are going to sweat and smell, but they may not have BO, need advice I'm i wrong? For being upset, I want to talk to principle, I love my kids school.HELP!!
chillitai September 5, 2011
Your son may not need deodorant. It is possible that he is not washing properly when he takes a bath or shower. Most children (boys and girls a like) do not need deodorant before middle school. I suggest you buy deodorant soap and use body powder during the warm weather. Even if your child forgets to wear it, the soap alone will control his sweating. 73248
jerimorales September 9, 2011
Hi dlrcoates,
The part in question is how the situation was handled..... would you rather all of the kids stay away from him, make fun of him...... and him have no idea why?
However, If the teacher was rude, embarrassed him (confronted him in front of others) body oder would be covered under the ADA as there are some physical disorders that can make one's body produce different smells (some prescriptions can cause an order). The teacher should error on the side of caution if wanting to avoid confrontation.
PS, I am from CA and they are very sue happy here..... so we always error on the side of caution, especially the employer. 73338
echalem September 9, 2011
It's okay, my boy and girl had the same problems when they were young. They smelled at an early age. Tell him to take deodorant to school, along with shorts and a change of shirt. Should have a bag in his backpack. My daughter had to carry one [also], along with other unmentionables. Don't be upset, it's natural. Really better than being called stinky or smelly. Take care, much more will happen to you in the future. Your skin must be alot tougher to get through it all.73342
shot_z September 18, 2011
I have a few thoughts to the "problem" and the opinions as well.
But first I have a question: what is the difference between smelling like sweat and BO which I assume means body odor?
I do believe the teacher can and should say something if a student's sweating is affecting others, but I don't think he/she should have done it in front if the class or even addressed the student at all but should have spoken to the parent, mainly b/c it's the parent's responsibility! You can smell your kid when you pick him up from school and you think that's normal and others should just put up with it? Would you put up with someone else's kid sitting next to you smelling of sweat or better yet, if the situation were reversed and your kids would tell you about a classmate would you tell him it's ok or would you complain to the teacher?
"Boys-will-be-boys"? Really? That's the advice you give? Those boys will be men and anyone that's ever smelled an undeodorized person - and I do not distinguish between men and women - would agree they need to learn about personal hygiene, the sooner the better! What difference does it make when they learn it? IMO it's easier to teach a child/preteen than an older teen or adult. If they do shower and clean well and the deodorant doesn't work try antiperspirant, they don't mask the odor - which can sometimes be worse - but prevent it if used correctly: before you start to sweat. 73543
bsismarty1 September 19, 2011
A fellow parent told me after showering, to splash rubbing alcohol under the arms..she swears by it for her seven (7) year old...hopes it helps.73554
cleeaf September 23, 2011
I have two boys, 7 and 8 years old. They have been wearing deodorant all summer long. They run and play hard which means sweat. They have never had the sweaty smell, thank God. At the beginning of the summer I took them to the store, they picked out what deodorant they wanted and have been proudly wearing it every day. I figured this was better than having to deal with the funky smell problem down the road.
I think it's the parent's responsibility to address these issues, not the teacher's. If the teacher thought this needed to be addressed then perhaps he/she should have made an effort to talk with the parents and suggest that they address this with their child. Or maybe address the entire class as a whole with a health lesson or a "guest speaker" with free samples for all. Don't single the child out. There are better ways to handle this. Kids are mean enough...your child shouldn't have to deal with this from the teacher. Yes, go and talk to the principal. 73671
jennya September 6, 2012
Hi,
For the parent who says that her children sweat but don't have b.o., you might also consider this: We are usually not very aware of our own bodily odors, or those that live with us. If we all were, there would be no b.o. problem! We've all been in to others' homes and felt that the home smells badly. Well, the tables are easily turned, and the reverse may be true when others visit our homes. That said, our families may not smell badly to us when they're sweaty, because we're pretty used to that smell, but it's offensive to others in our culture. For better or worse, in the U.S., we like people to be and smell clean!
I have a different problem with a high school senior exchange student (young man) who douses himself with body spray. The smell gives my husband and I headaches --- like a havy mens cologne! I think that I'll see if my hubby can advise him to take two showers a day (he's very active athletically), and use a mild deodorant. If it's not one thing, it's another!
Don't get huffy, just address the situation directly, with generosity and kindness. 80470
pollyle September 7, 2012
Teacherparent, I was shocked that you had the kids raise their hands to answer about brushing and bathing. I saw many bad situations with bathing, as a former social worker it would seem that would only make a childwith hygiene issues be targeted by other kids because they didn't raise their hand. I know as a teacher you saw firsthand theses situations that now it is not within the control of some of theses kids. I could be totally off off your talking about teens and preteens, please don't think I'm trying to cap on you. But don't you think that kid that might not have access to that bath everynight might get picked on by the other kids when it can be dealt with privately or can be dealt with ,individually which I'm sure you do. You seem to stand up to those with rude comments and I'd bet you do for your students too. Sorry for the typing. I'm on a smartphone that's makes typing on these difficult. I commend you for your service to our children. 80482
pollyle September 7, 2012
Teacherparent, I was shocked that you had the kids raise their hands to answer about brushing and bathing. I saw many bad situations with bathing, as a former social worker it would seem that would only make a childwith hygiene issues be targeted by other kids because they didn't raise their hand. I know as a teacher you saw firsthand theses situations that now it is not within the control of some of theses kids. I could be totally off off your talking about teens and preteens, please don't think I'm trying to cap on you. But don't you think that kid that might not have access to that bath everynight might get picked on by the other kids when it can be dealt with privately or can be dealt with ,individually which I'm sure you do. You seem to stand up to those with rude comments and I'd bet you do for your students too. Sorry for the typing. I'm on a smartphone that's makes typing on these difficult. I commend you for your service to our children. 80483
melianne25 September 10, 2012
My son starts kindergarten next year that teacher sounds very rude though hygiene is very important. I find it rude to talk to a child that way I hope the teacher at least talked privately with your son. I'm so very sorry.80531
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