When my sons were about ten years of age, we begin a family tradition where we would give them an Old Spice Holiday Gift pack for Christmas. I still remember the excitement on their faces as they used the all the items in the set. By the time they actually needed to use to deodorant, they were already accustomed to keeping up with their personal hygiene. Unfortunately, that is not the case for millions of moms when it comes to helping their sons transition into puberty. What’s more, there are an abundance tools and resources available to help girls through puberty compared to boys.
Today’s Tips are sponsored by Old Spice. However, all thoughts are my own.
Until now!
Introducing the NEW Old Spice School of Swagger, an online, video-based puberty curriculum developed by the same brand that has been helping guys navigate the seas of manhood for nearly 80 years. To help, world-famous Old Spice Guy Isaiah Mustafa is back to say, “Hello, Puberty!” The four-part edutainment video series covers awkward topics guys face as they enter puberty, from that funky new smell to hair growth and oily skin.
The School of Swagger Video Series Includes:
Intro: Smellcome to Manhood
Chapter 1: Funky New Smell
Chapter 2: Why Is My Skin Super Oily?
Chapter 3: The Follicles of Man
In addition to the video series, thought I would share with you 3 Tips for moms to help young boys through puberty by popular parenting expert and mom of 4 boys, Deborah Gilboa, M.D.(aka “Dr. G”).
Here are 3 Tips for moms to help young boys through puberty
1. Give Them Some Space
When talking to your son about awkward or difficult moments. Dr. G Says: “Tell him you know it;s awkward, and we’re doing it anyway”
– Ask before you tell (10 – 13 years old): Tweens are sensitive to being treated like a little kid. Instead of assuming they are clueless about a topic, ask if they’ve heard about it before.
– Respect their Boundaries ( 14 – 17 years old): If not you, ask him what adult he’d like to talk to {that you agree with} this may help him open up.
2. Tackling the Tough Topic of Puberty
Dr. G states: “Barter that talk for fun time, so spend 10 minutes on a tough topic than twice as much time to do something he picks”
–But first, research is key: Get comfortable with tough topics. Find great content such as an Old Spice Swagger to get the answers to your questions so you can start this conversation like a pro.
3. Keeping the Funky New Smell Under Control
Dr. G says: “It may sound strange but congratulate him on his new smell and that he’s on his way to manhood!”
– Then, tell it like it is: Give guidance without apology, but also without snark or meanness, in this case, he needs to some hygiene advice.
Bonus!
Addressing “Finsta” Accounts (aka not-so-secret online account)
Dr. G says: “Just because he thinks it’s a “secret” that illusion can be dangerous because he may wrongly assume who sees {and shares|what he puts on there.”
– He is renting the device from you: So it’s appropriate to set boundaries. Even if he pays the whole bill himself, he doesn’t get full autonomy without guidance. If he using his device in ways that are not OK with you, he needs to know he could lose that privilege.
Old Spice’s Wild Collection (as seen in the School of Swagger videos) is inspired by the wild kingdom’s personality traits, the Old Spice Wild Collection and is available in anti-perspirants (NEW Invisible Sprays), deodorants, body washes, body sprays and shampoos, in the following scents:
● NEW Krakengärd – Smells like citrus, fresh herbs and the unspeakable power of the ancient ocean
● Bearglove – Commands grizzly-bear-level respect with smells of apple, citrus and spice
● Wolfthorn – The sort of sophisticated wolf who wears a suit that has a suave, sweet orange scent
● Hawkridge – Outwits unsuspecting stink with its sandalwood and vanilla scent
Click {HERE} for more information or to purchase
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
These are all awesome tips! It’s so important to maintain a guiding hand while your kids are working their way through puberty without being a helicopter mom. Helicopter parenting doesn’t work when kids are raging balls of hormones. LOL
Kami says
As a mom of two little boys, this will happen sooner than I’d like to think! OMG!! I’m not ready!! But these are wonderful tips — thank you!!
Jeanette says
This is very interesting! I never really thought about the steps you should take when they hit puberty! My kiddo will be there soon and this really helps with ideas of how to bring up the topic!
Lisa Favre says
I keep on forgetting about Old Spice, truthfully because my husband doesn’t buy it much anymore. He should though because they’re a fantastic brand! Would really be useful for my young (or, not-so-young) cousin… just getting into puberty!
Lisa Bristol says
I know the teenage boy stink well. I also got my Son the Old Spice Holiday Gift pack for Christmas and he loved it. Old Spice has always been one of my favorites.
susan5minutesformom says
Puberty is always a challenging time for everyone involved. Keeping them supplied with Old Spice to tame those smells sounds like a great idea.
Dawn Lopez says
These are all great tips for helping a parent guide their teen son in a positive way. It’s awkward no matter what but all these ideas will help the discussion go much more smoothly.
Kristi says
Great suggestions. I love the smell of Old Spice, something my Dad has always worn and we still buy it for him for Christmas.
Amy Desrosiers says
I am glad my kids are still younger but I know it is inevitable that my kids will reek. Actually my tween daughter needs deodorant already which I find crazy.
Jenna Wood says
This is such a fun Old Spice campaign- all the men in my family have been wearing Old Spice for years- I love how they keep changing things up.
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
I could use these tips for my son. Thank you so much for sharing!