Boy, did he stink to high Heaven
By Humbug25
@Humbug25 (12540)
August 25, 2010 6:57am CST
I offered to have my friends 9 year old son to stay over night at our house so he could play with my eldest and give her a break. I got to my friends house to pick him up and the kids played football/soccer for a while outside in the sun before going back to my house. He didn't bring a bag with him as he said he didn't need one, he would sleep in his clothes and never brushed his teeth so didn't need a wash bag either, his mother just shrugged her shoulders in response to this! When we got to mine all the kids took their shoes off and ran upstairs to play, boy did his shoes stink. I had to put them in the outhouse and told him I was doing so! He was true to his word, he slept in all his clothes (including socks) and didn't brush his teeth before going to bed or in the morning even though I offered him an unopened toothbrush. I decided to take them all swimming as then I felt like I had done my bit and he had, had some kind of wash!! I dropped him home later that day and popped back the day after to visit his mum and yes, he was still wearing the same clothes!! I couldn't believe it, I would never, never allow any of my kids to be so lapse with their personal hygiene. I think he is going to be teased and bullyied before too long because he really does smell. I have mentioned it to him in a diplomatic manner and he simply isn't bothered!
Can you beat that? Do you know anyone with such bad hygiene?
3 people like this
10 responses
@wolfie34 (26770)
• United Kingdom
25 Aug 10
Yikes! I can just think of the horrific names he'll be called at school, and I can't believe his mother's attitude, I am sorry if she is a friend, but I have to say this, why isn't she taking more interest and certainly more concern about his hygiene? I was badly bullied at school not because of hygiene but because I was fat. I would feel highly embarrassed if it was my son and I certainly wouldn't let him out of the house like that, nor sleep in his clothes, what a bad habit to get into? As for not cleaning his teeth, well I won't get on my soap box here. Honestly what is she thinking? Go to the 99p or Poundland and pick up some soap products, there is no excuse! I feel sorry for the child because I know what's in store for him if his mother doesn't change. Both son and mother have made a rod for their own backs. Good for you for taking him swimming and I am sure with your guidance they can both change the error of their ways!
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
25 Aug 10
Hi ya wolfie
He is a tad bit on the large side too so he does prespire more so than most if you get my drift and to sleep in all that too, I was just disgusted I really was. yes she is my friend and it annoys me that she takes such a laid back attitude about it. Even though he is 9 he is still a child and still has to be told to take a bath and brush his teeth, crikey not one of my kids do that unless I tell them to and my eldest is 9 too but he does it when I tell him to. I, like you, don't let my kids go out of the door unless they have brushed their teeth and have clean clothes on. When we are camping I let things go a little with changing their clothes but that is only because we are always around a smelly camp fire and only camp for a maximum of 2 nights haha would I be forgiven for that wolfie?
Cheers hun 
Cheers hun @wolfie34 (26770)
• United Kingdom
25 Aug 10
Ewwww B/O! I sweat heavily so I am extremely self conscious probably the exact opposite and I am always making sure I take regular showers, washes and put on sprays etc! Especially when I train in the heat for 2 hours! I even sweat when I've walked 5 minutes down the road, so I can imagine the smell without washing or any smellies, ewwwwwwww. I wonder if she'll take such a laid back attitude when her son gets badly bullied or he starts to go 'quiet'. It doesn't bear thinking about. If he is on the large side that will just add fuel to the bullies! Double whammy there not only did you take him swimming so he can shower! But that's exercise too on top! I like your style sweetie xxxx Oh I'd always forgive you. Nothing like having fun camping eh! Big adventure and not just for the children either ;0)
1 person likes this
@franne32 (694)
• Philippines
7 Sep 10
I don't know anyone with that kind of "personal hygiene." It's sad that his mom doesn't care for him that much. Yes you're right, he'll soon be bullied by other kids and nicknamed Smelly [insert name here]. The fact that the kid has turned out like that only reflects what kind of parents he has.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
7 Sep 10
Hi there franne32
The odd thing is that she is very clean and cares very much about her own a appearance. I see that she is effectionate with her son and loves him so I just understand why she is like this with him. When my son tells me he doesn't want to brush his teeth and says he doesn't have to I tell him that he has to and it is because I love him and want him to be a nice clean boy and that is why I want him to do these things.
Thanks for your response
@ellie333 (21016)
•
25 Aug 10
Hi Humbug, My own son is a little dirt magnet and can be grubby 5 minutes after getting out of the bath but yesterdays dirt on this boy is pure filth. Kids fall asleep sometimes with clothes on but change the next day. The mother needs to take more control here as the lad will end up being outcast. Who wants to play with a smelly kid. My sons feet stink just after a day of play which is why he gets batheed before bed. Huggles. Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
26 Aug 10
Hi ya ellie
The thing is as well is this child is slighty overweight and is concious of that so why give him another issue to deal with? He came to our house once for dinner after school and no word of a lie there was snot up both sleeves and around the neck of his school jumper. He took it off because he was hot and I just had to throw it in the washing machine it was so gross as you can imagine. I asked him why he didn't use a tissue to wipe his nose instead of his jumper and he just said he didn't know. If I hear the slightest sniff from him when he is at my house I give him a tissue immediately and we have a box of tissues (or some sort of item suitable for wiping ones nose) in every room of the house! I could understand it if he was 4 years old, but he is 9!!
Thanks for your response hun
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
26 Aug 10
hi humbug what on earth is wrong with that mom, I always saw to it
that my son was clean and taught him good hygiene as its so important
for boys as they do not come to clean as naturally as girls do. so
we moms must remind them always to wash and change clothes and wash up for meals.It should just be reflexive for the moms to do that with their
boy children.hope something gets him to start being cleanand smelling nice
again before the kids start picking on him for being smelly.
1 person likes this
Thanks for your response 
@apples99 (6556)
• United States
25 Aug 10
LOL oh my goodness, hehe. yeah I think everyone has encountered someone with bad hygiene and it always baffles me how someone could allow themselves or there off spring to go out in public around friends and family in such a stinky state but sometimes people are not taught proper hygiene and are not aware of there own body oder, oh well thats just how some people roll I guess lol.
Oh by the way I didnt recognize you for a second with your new avatar happy lotting.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
26 Aug 10
Hi apples
I think that maybe she too was brought up like this and she doesn't have the best of teeth either. Even my son mentioned that she doesn't wash her hands after going to the bathroom and I am happy that my son should point it out and realise that this is not a good thing. I have to remind her son to do that when he is at my house too because that really is a big no no in my house!
Hope you like my new avatar, I keep forgetting about it too haha. I thought I had better change it from the Halloween one as that is a bit dated now don't you think? Haha
Thanks as always for your response
Thanks as always for your response 
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
7 Sep 10
What is really sad about this entire situation is the fact that his mother lets him get away with this. I will admit that there are times that I will let my children sleep in their clothes, but when they wake up in the morning, they have to put on clean clothes before I will even think about letting them out of the house. Showers and tooth brushing are very important as well because that is important for keeping your body healthy. Yes, it does seem wrong that this little boy did this, but his mother really should put her foot down concerning the situation.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
25 Aug 10
His mother needs a few home truths. The poor boy will find himself teased and shunned by his peers if she doesn't start to instil some basic hygiene lessons into him. Is she clean herself? If so then it sounds like she can't be bothered to show him that looking and smelling pleasant endears you to people in a way that the opposite just doesn't. I understand that a freshly sweaty man is appealing to some women, but not one that just can't be bothered to wash. Eeuwwww!
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
25 Aug 10
Hi ya p1kef1sh
It is strange because she cares very much for her own appearance, I think that she gets fed up of telling him and expects him to do it himself but I even frogmarch my own kids to the bathroom and watch them if it is neccessary to do so!! He does use a deodorant from time to time but I am sure that it is to mask the smell and thinks that if smells ok like that then he doesn't need to wash! I feel bad for him because I think he thinks there isn't a problem!!
Cheers p1key
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
25 Aug 10
The child undoubtedly has not been taught hygiene, His mom needs her butte kicked for that. That's a shame because it will keep him from having friends. Knowing me i would have told him some house rules before i let him come. When he said he didn't need more clothes i would have told him he would have at my house. I can't stand tht. That is a shame his mom is so sorry but in my opinion she is.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
25 Aug 10
Clenliness is so important to me. This child needs to be made to see how important it is for so many reasons. The kids will start noticing that he smells if they haven't already. I think it's a very sad thing for him. I taught my sons good hygiene from day one & every mother should teach their children that.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
25 Aug 10
Hey there ANTIQUELADY
He seems to have loads of friends at the moment but I think that is because the other kids are too polite to say anything, my son included and I am not sure the kids really notice, I think they think it is something else that smells. No appologies I totally agree with you. I might not be the best dressed myself, but as a family we are clean and I can walk with my head high knowing that when my kids sleep over at others they change their clothes and brush their teeth when prompted as that is normal to them!
Thanks for your response
Thanks for your response 1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
25 Aug 10
If he is sleeping over again I would pleasantly remind him that although he is very welcome there are rules in your home and whilst there he should obey the rules. And this includes changing clothes and bathing and cleaning of teeth. What is going on with the mother? Is she depressed? Many kids do not want to bathe but they do as they are told.
Because we live in a hot country we bathe twice daily and if we are going out in the evening we bathe before we go out and then a quick shower before bed.
I am interested in why the mother is allowing him to live in this dirty unhealthy way? Is something going on in her life that she has relinquished control of her son or is she depressed?
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
26 Aug 10
Hi ya cynth
Well I know that she has suffered in the past with depression but certainly not since I have known her (3 years) I think that she feels it is down to him to do it and should take responsibilty for his own actions. I think she got fed up of telling him and just expected him to do it. Sure I expect my boys to do it but I always have to tell them first and I can't wait for the day that they do everything automatically!! Sure I am tired of telling my boys every day to get dressed, brush their teeth, eat their breakfast ........ but everyday I do it because I love my kids very much and I care!
Cheers for your response
@macdingolinger (10385)
• United States
25 Aug 10
I know I've seen some crazy things, but that is crazy! Not so much the kid, but the mom not caring that she hasn't trained him properly. If I had a guess I'd say he's probably not very disciplined either. She probably gave up on that a long time ago too! How very sad!
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
26 Aug 10
Hi there macdingolinger long time no see haha
Well that is the strange thing, she comes down on him like a ton of bricks on things and says that I am too soft with my boys! I just think to myself that at least I know that my kids are clean and healthy but I don't get into arguements with her about it. I do what I can with him when he is with me and staying at my house but I can't force him to do things like brush his teeth, she would have a serious problem with that if I did and I agree it is sad!
Thanks for responding
Thanks for responding