When tweens and teens start puberty, bodily changes can be tricky to navigate for both kids and their parents. The unpleasant side effects of raging hormones from mood swings to body odor and more can spill over into school. Teen smelliness can be particularly difficult.
In an online parenting group, a mom vented about how her 11-year-old son's teacher handled students' body odor. The mother explained how her son and other boys in his class were forced to put on deodorant at school. Embarrassingly, a note was also sent home with all three boys' names on it.
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The mom detailed how her son's school handled tween boys' body odor.
She vented about the experience with her son's teacher in the Mama's Uncut Facebook group. "My son came home Friday from school with a note with his name and 2 other boys saying he needs deodorant," the community member explained in the post, which is from a few years ago. "My son said in class she approached all three and said they have body odor sent them to the nurse for deodorant my son refused to put on because of aluminum and him not smelling."
She said it was actually her son's friend who had BO.
As the mom detailed, her sixth-grade son's best friend has a "medical issue" and wears special deodorant. "He didn't tell teacher it wasn't him when place[d] on [the] spot because he didn't want his friend laughed at or made fun of alone," she wrote in her post.
"She wanted him to bring deodorant with him today and to put it on when she tells him to make sure he is wearing it."
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The mom claims she makes sure her son keeps up with his hygiene.
She does so, she said, because she's a "big stickler" about hygiene.
Evidently, she watches her son apply deodorant and brush his teeth and hair every morning. "I called school and waiting on call back," she noted.
Now, her son is embarrassed to go to school.
"My son doesn't want to even go to class because he doesn't like his teacher anymore and she embarrassed him," the mother explained.
She asked for advice from fellow parents, wondering if she should call the school board. "Also there is special app I have to communicate with teacher etc. I feel she should have notified me via app not note with all boys names."
Fellow Facebook users shared their reactions and advice in the comments.
In the comments, the resounding sentiment was that the school handled the BO situation poorly.
"I would climb into that teacher in a bad way!!!" one person declared. "I don't think she'd handled that right at all!!!"
"Principal and teacher meeting. Asap," another commenter advised. "Don't let that slide. The way she handled that was wrong on so many levels. If you don't get the response you feel is necessary then go to the school board."
Still, someone else pointed out, "No need to go to the board. Talk to teacher. That's all. Maybe he said it was in front of the class but actually the boys were pulled to the side IN the classroom and spoken to quietly.
"Never know until you talk to teacher," the person continued. "Another instance of parent believing the kid 110% without calmly investigating. Remain calm and not all p—y with the teacher bc that will add to bad relationship with the child, too. Retired teacher here."
What would you do in this situation?
