How would you describe this situation?

Question

10 year old boy goes on vacation with mother, doesn't take a shower and doesn't brush his teeth because he doesn't have a toothbrush. Is this a normal thing? Is this to be expected with a 10 year old boy? I'm just trying to understand this and wondering if I'm overreacting.

Answer 1

i think you're insane for asking if that's normal.  if things are going to keep going in that direction you should try to change it.  teeth need to be brushed everyday and a child that young should try to be healthy because its more likely for him to keep gaining weight and have health problems.

Answer 2

Sounds like bad parenting. Maybe you should talk with this kid's mother about the bad example she's setting and what the future outcomes could be.

Answer 3

Many 10 boys aren't really into hygiene so that it wouldn't be surprising to be if his mother wasn't with him.  But she was so to me it sounds like either neglect or bad parenting.  If you are concerned then you should buy him a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Answer 4

I would describe it as 'normal routines sometimes go out the window when you're on vacation'.  

Maybe they were having so much fun, all of the time & didn't have time for bathing.  Maybe they forgot the toothbrushes or were just so exhausted at the end of the day that they fell into bed without brushing & so excited at the beginning of the day that they forgot to brush.

It's only 4 days of vacation hygiene gone awry.  I wouldn't call that neglect or even irresponsible parenting.  

Now, if it happened every day, for weeks, months or years at a time, then I'd be concerned.

Answer 5

I would describe that as bad parenting.

Wow..you really have alot of bad things to say about this boy..No wonder he doesn't confide in you about his situation..Why don't you try being more supportative of him and try talking to HIM instead of posting such nasty personal things about him..jeez.

Answer 6

he will try to get away with not doing that so because his "mother" doesn't make him shower or brush his teeth he's not going to do it on his own free-will. I would be very concerned about her parenting and what she is doing to the health of that child. Does he go to the dentist, eye-doctor, or health provider regularly? I would keep a close eye on his health.

Answer 7

well first - if he doesnt have a toothbrush then his mother should go buy him one - they have them EVERYWHERE even at gas stations.  

when i was younger i put off bathing as long as possible - why, i have no idea - i just didnt like to waste time in the shower i wanted to play. but i doubt i ever made it past two days...

my sons peds doc says that he wont start to sweat or get skinky until he's 13 (puberty) so he only needs a bath every other day or so, and he only needs soap for the oil from his scalp . . . but he's 5 months and i bath him daily.  

what makes you think you are overreacting? how did you react and who is this boy to you?

wait wait wait wait wait - as his step mother - do you have anything positive to say about thils boy?  I mean, he gets to be the way he is because it's allowed, by his mother, his father, and even by you.  I didn't get a choice in brushing my teeth, eating my dinner, swimming lessons, wearing clothes, i didn't get to watch tv or play video games, i played outside.  you all need to own up to this, encourage him, and try not to make him feel like the fat lazy slob you just described.

Answer 8

The mother needs to take some parenting classes pronto!

Answer 9

No you are not overreacting, someone should intervene. While it is typical for adolescents and particularly young boys of this age to avoid proper personal hygiene habits it is not ok. Usually an adult would be the one to enforce the showering, body cleaning rules and encourage the child to keep up with proper grooming  habits. If you could you should encourage it because it will benefit him to get into a good hygiene routine now before its too late (cavities, being the smelly kid at school, bacterial infections, etc.) A day or two missed wont kill him...but 4 is pushing it. Get that boy a toothbrush!

Answer 10

Yup bad parenting

Answer 11

i would be concerned, that is neglect............

Answer 12

that's nasty!  but its not really all his fault, kids forget about hygiene and its up to the parents or guardian to make sure they brush their teeth & take a shower or bath.  At 10 yrs old, he could get pretty smelly.

find some pics of rotten teeth and tell him his may look like this if he doesnt brush his teeth.

And he should not forget to wash behind his ears

Answer 13

If you are the parent of this kid then you need to stop being such a push-over and make him obey. If you keep treating him like he is in charge of you, then he will think that and grow up a fat pig with no respect for authority. Now stop treating him like he is spun glass and kick is ***.....which probably stinks like **** because you didn't make is dirty asssss take a bath for a long time. And stop feeding him junk food...make him eat healthful foods.

P.S. Stupid is expensive!

Answer 14

Isn't it funny how in order to drive a car you have to go through a test, but in order to be a mother, all that is required is to spread your legs? Some people are better off if they are neutered or spayed. Child bearing might be for everyone, but not child rearing!

Answer 15

It sounds like his mom is just lazy, and does not want to make him take a shower or brush his teeth, or even buy healthy food.