Do you have tweens or kids who are quickly approaching tween years? Self esteem is so critical at this age and talking to your kids is often a challenge, especially when it comes to “personal” issues.  The tween years are full of changes. Hormones are increasing and causing noticeable differences like growth spurts and strange new odors. Knowing what to expect at each phase and how to approach your tween with this information is key to making the transitions a little easier.

I’ve taken 3 kids from tweens through the teen years and those conversations you have with them about body odors are never easy.  But by the time it gets to that point, they are ready to talk to someone, so it’s best to be prepared.  You never know when it will happen or who will need to bring it up first!

Some of our fellow bloggers were interviewed about this subject at Blissdom Conference by Rosiland Wiseman, author of Queenbees and Wannabees.  In the following Bliss TV episodes, we take a look at how parents deal with the delicate issues of “tween’s stink.”

Visit a few of the bloggers and learn more about their stories.

Heather from Home-Ec 101

“It’s really weird how your kid can seemingly overnight go from just a dirty, sweatball kid to a dirty, SMELLY, sweatball kid.”

Jen from Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

“So much pressure is put on kids to “perform” these days, and their self esteem is shaped so drastically during these tween years, that we need to develop avenues that create open discussion.”

Dawn from My Home Sweet Home

“We’ve had four teens so far, three boys and a girl, and I can tell you that they’re all different.”

Jenny from Jenny on the Spot

“As a parent, I found myself somewhat unprepared for the onset of body odor in my own children. I have always been the mom of LITTLE kids – body odor? Apple sauce and dirt was the extent of it.”

Heather from Domestic Extraordinaire

“While the tween years are scary for you both, rest assured that one day they will remember to put on their deodorant every day without you asking, they will shower more often than you think necessary, and change into this wonderful (not so smelly) young adult.”

Unilever – the maker of Degree, Dove and Suave deodorants – wants to ensure parents and kids remain cool, calm and confident throughout the day – especially during those sweat-inducing moments.

You can find more advice on the Don’t Fret the Sweat Facebook page and on their website. And remember you aren’t alone!

This post is sponsored by Unilever.