Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Don't Fret The Sweat



I don't remember exactly when my older son became not just sweaty and little boy smelly but actually stinky. Maybe I noticed when he climbed into the car after school and happened to have had P.E. that afternoon, last period. Or perhaps it was when he and a band of boys got into the car after flag football practice, and I could barely breathe. I think, though, that I only realized that the kid needed to start wearing deodorant when we were out running errands in the middle of the day, and the only activity he'd had prior was a thumb work-out on his Gameboy. The smell was pungent, and it wasn't lavender.




Because, really, my son was only a little boy, and the idea that the grassy smell of boyhood was turning into something slightly sour, not a little rank, was shocking to me. It wasn't so much the smell but rather the sudden turn in things – the startling fact that my son was becoming an adolescent and that it appeared to be happening overnight. I wasn't unprepared for this natural course of events as much as I was surprised that it was actually going to happen. I compared it to the feeling one has looking up into the rearview mirror of the car and seeing a deep crevice between one's eyebrows that had not existed before that moment.

The onset of puberty appeared to happen just like that, in a car, running errands, one of those errands becoming a stop at a drugstore to purchase some deodorant for the boy. Surprisingly, telling my son that he smelled bad, which meant that he was growing up, becoming a man, was not a sickening blow to his self-esteem. He was still a little boy in many ways, and there was a certain cachet to smelling bad. Really, the acquisition of the first deodorant was something exciting – he was thrilled when I handed it to him and told him that he should use it every day, before putting your shirt on. It wasn't until a few years had passed and adolescence had entered in every other way, bringing new concern for his appearance, that wearing deodorant became a habit for him and not something that I had to tell him to do.



My younger son turned ten in May and just the other day, I leaned over his shoulder to help him with some homework and had to turn my head and hold my breath. I haven't checked in the mirror lately, but I imagine some new wrinkles have appeared where none were yesterday, too.

In conjunction with BlogHer, I'm writing this post to let you all know about a cool campaign that Unilever, the leading manufacturer of deodorant and antiperspirants and the maker of Degree® Men, Degree® Women, Degree® Girl, Dove® and Suave® is leading called Don’t Fret The Sweat. The campaign wants to ensure that parents and kids “remain cool, calm and confident throughout the day.” That's why they have a Facebook page, of course, a great resource of tips, tools and real-life stories about how parents are transitioning their tweens into confident and self-reliant teens.

To be honest, I raised my eyebrows at another Facebook campaign, but when I surfed around Don't Fret The Sweat Facebook page, I found it to be really useful. I hesitate to give products with a lot of chemicals to my children and learned a bit about the difference between deodorant and antiperspirants on the site, using the Product Matchmaker. The panel of experts and community partners answer questions and de-mystify some of the more aggravating issues of tweendom and adolescence.

Let's face it – we contemplate our own aging with a bit of shock and a little denial. I have found my reactions to my own sons' aging and growing up to be a little shocking, too. Sometimes I'm not sure that I'll know how best to ensure that they're confident about themselves, comfortable in their own bodies and able to deal with the stresses of adolescence. It's nice to get a little help.




In conjunction with the Don’t Fret The Sweat campaign, I am giving away a $100 VISA card and a Don’t Fret The Sweat gift pack. If you'd like a chance to win, leave me a comment telling me whether you're prepared or not for your child's adolescence. Be honest – you can also let me know how many wrinkles you have!

There are more chances to win at BlogHer. Visit the BlogHer Prizes & Promotions section
The sweepstakes runs from October 4th through November 4th.



No duplicate comments. 

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry
methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment
on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on
this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about
an alternate form of entry.


This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be
selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

119 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have no sons and therefore it's different but the same principles apply roughly here with daughters, Elizabeth.

    I well remember my brothers though and the smell of a room filled with dirty socks and testosterone.

    ReplyDelete
  3. My adolescents are all grown up and deal with their own perspiration but did you know what during menopause YOUR OWN body odor will change? Not for the better, either.
    Ah lah. One more damn arrow to the heart as we age.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I remember going to pick my daughter up at a play date, she was 10, and when she came out to greet me, she hugged me...and I gagged. I was absolutely horrified that not only was the smell unmistakable, she had been running around someone else's house all afternoon, wafting it. she had not smelled of anything but little girl and soap just one day before. we bought deodorant on the way home.

    as for the wrinkles, this morning i had the occasion to think, never catch sight of your lower face and neck in a rearview mirror from the backseat of a cab. nuff said.

    ReplyDelete
  5. My classroom is literally full of 10 year old puppy boys who range from slightly rank to stinky sausage. Ack.

    Ditto Ms. Moon's awesome comment about menopause... what's up with that? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. i am definitely not prepared! scg00387 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. http://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/121400169429336064 scg00387 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I live in terror based on the smell of their 6 year old and under shoes alone.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just firmly believe it is not possible for my angel to ever need deoderant. Surely mine is the child to stay cute and sweet smelling forever?

    ReplyDelete
  10. My nine year old daughter just started using deodorant. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have one 12 yr old who uses and "forgets to ust" deodarant for 1 1/2 years now and a 10 year old girl with whom I had a deodaran discussion with just last week. Memories of your own adolescence always come popping in as your kids experience their own "growing pains", no?

    ReplyDelete
  12. I don't have boys, and my daughter is grown, but I DO use Dove deodorant, and I just found a new wrinkle that I'm willing to swear was NOT there yesterday.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm past all that... My daughter is 23. It was a challenge for sure, yes I might have acquired a few wrinkles and gray hairs. Lol. chefl@swbell.net

    ReplyDelete
  14. My oldest is 15 - so prepared are not... I am surviving!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. i'm not looking forward to having this talk with me kids

    karinaroselee at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Our son hit puberty early, like a train wreck. He's pretty good about the deodorant - it's the showering every day thing we're working on now. He figures he can use the deodorant to cover the stink. I had to tell him it's not just his armpits that are leaving a scent-trail strong enough for a bloodhound to follow him from here to Nova Scotia. . . .

    ReplyDelete
  17. My twin boys just began the need. I don't dread this so much as the day they want to start driving.

    ReplyDelete
  18. My daughter's newfound need for deodorant was a shock to me- physically (what is that smell?) and emotionally (I'm so not ready for this).

    ReplyDelete
  19. I don't think I'm prepared! My children are 8, almost 7, and 2. I dread adolescence!

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm definitely dreading it- the stink and the rest of the teenage stuff! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm definitely NOT ready yet! Well, I still have a little bit time before I sweat about it. :)

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

    ReplyDelete
  22. Funny how my boys always needed prompts to (please!) put on some deodorant, while my 9 y/o daughter with a developmental disability follows naturally in the footsteps of her more hygienic sisters and eagerly lifts her arms up for 'odorant after her bath. However, I can wait for the rest of the puberty stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  23. My daughter is grown now so I survived--but honestly sometimes it was really bad--she was so rebellious and got into a lot of trouble, but for other worried moms out there she is now happily married with her own son who is probably going to give her as much back as she gave us!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. http://twitter.com/#!/fostertam/status/122696106042851329

    ReplyDelete
  25. I've never been prepared for my niece to get any older than 3. LOL She is growing up way to fast. Now, 16 and being out with friends...I worry alot. I do have some gray hairs and the start of wrinkles from worrying about my baby girl. Thanks for the chance to win!
    Mendy
    mendyd15 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have a 17 year old boy, and it can be tough at times. But, he lets in enough sweet moments to make me remember that I'm glad he is growing up and trying to fly from the nest!

    Thanks! kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  27. My two teens both started around 12 and they still need reminders for showers and other personal care. And my youngest (1st grade) was so sweaty at the start of the school year I think he may need to start using something earlier than his big sis and bro did. Big bro also seems to think body spray is a good substitute to real deodorant/ antiperspirant. I hope dad and I can get through to him soon. I don't know if anyone's ever really ready for these changes, but I'm proud of my kids as I watch them learn and grow.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Are you kidding? Not ready. But here it comes. :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. So far, knock on wood, I only have a few wrinkles on my forehead. I recently had "the talk" with my two boys, ages 12 and 13. They were embarassed to talk to me about it but I let them know the importance of personal hygiene. Thanks.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I dread that they're growing up so fast even they're still little now.

    ReplyDelete
  31. http://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/124717630853627905

    ReplyDelete
  32. Just talked to my 11 yr old about a stinky shirt on the floor ... She was mortified. "Mom, I don't GET b.o.!" ... Yikes :) ... I can use all te help I can get

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm definitely not prepared!

    pokergrl8 at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. http://twitter.com/#!/aes529/status/124921155789398017


    pokergrl8 at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'm not prepared yet and worried for that day to come, but as of right now I'm just going to enjoy them being little.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/mom22girlz/status/125473192692285440

    ReplyDelete
  37. I would dread it.
    tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/disneyfan40/status/125774361067126784
    tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I first noticed Gracie being stinky after a long car ride to get to her doctor appointment. We were walking in the door and I caught a whif of BO. I now apply deodorant for her every night, after her bath. She loves it, and always giggles and laughs. She's only 9, so I was in no way ready for this!

    ReplyDelete
  40. My child's adolescence was so long ago but I remember, I sweated more then than ever before.

    gmissycat at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Tweeted here too
    http://twitter.com/#!/gmissycat/status/126226747711692800
    gmissycat at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I think I have but you just never know, my kids are grown now but I still have concerns and worries the same as if they were small kids, I can say that they both matured into wonderful adults who are very clean and considerate of others, I'm sure they were influenced by me alittle, growing up I dont remember ever having to stress to them about using deodorant or showering, I think they learned by example,my husband & I are both early risers and shower soon after awaking, the kids were used our habit and pretty much have the same habit too so that has been a good thing for them.
    Thanks for the great giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  43. tweeted here

    https://twitter.com/#!/deb126/status/126299617523548160

    Thanks again

    debis126 at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. ...and then beware they may get to a point like their big cousin nicky, where they think their man smell is part of their hippie-love unique essence, forcing others to air out their apartments after they visit.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Great photos! I was a late bloomer myself, and didn't start getting underarm odor until about 14...lets see if I'm as lucky with my kids ;)

    shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Tweet:
    http://twitter.com/#!/roomofmyown/status/126765553670041600

    shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Definitely not ready, but I have quite a few years to go!

    ReplyDelete
  48. i am in no way prepared for adolescence...the silly stuff he does now..sometimes stops my heart and he's young
    nannypanpan at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Not ready dealing with enough with twin 17 yo girls
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/128695878516088832
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Not prepared! But my eldest is 2.5, so I have time. :)

    ReplyDelete
  52. I don't need the gift card, but I have to respond to the question anyway.

    No I am not ready for my sons adolescence and they are 23 and 21 years old. They get bigger, but they don't really grow up.

    ReplyDelete
  53. I'm definitely not prepared! Why can't they be our babies forever?

    rawrms (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/livelovelynn/status/130032399336742912

    rawrms (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Definitely not ready for my child's adolescence, but I guess it will come whether I am ready or not:)

    ReplyDelete
  56. Tweet: http://twitter.com/njhhb/statuses/130335166890647552

    ReplyDelete
  57. No, I'm so not prepared! I just noticed the underarm smell from one of my 9 year old daughters a few weeks ago. And let me just say that I was not read for that already!
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  58. tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/130349484822626304
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  59. No kids here yet, but thankfully no wrinkles either - I imagine they'll show up around the same time! Dove is my favorite for myself.

    ReplyDelete
  60. my son is growing so fast I'm not ready.

    babitababita@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. http://twitter.com/#!/zbabita5/status/130391993955254274

    babitababita@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. My kids are already past adolescence thank goodness. I have a few wrinkles, and Im sure a lot more to come.

    ReplyDelete
  63. My son is at the age where I always have to remind him to use soap and deodorant and to actually lather his hair with shampoo

    ReplyDelete
  64. tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/fairydancer35/status/130701234800820224

    ReplyDelete
  65. My children are now grown and I do have quite a bit of gray hair having gone through their teen years. I was not prepared for their adolescence. But with lots of communication and love we manage to get through it.
    helenkeeler@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  66. tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/helen1949/status/130801878903685120
    helenkeeler@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  67. My son is grown now and I can tell you this--I was in no way prepared for his adolescence despite the fact that I am educated to teach 6th-9th grade! As for the number of wrinkles I have wrinkles--I'm no math teacher, but I'm pretty sure there are some exponents and powers of ten involved.
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I'm not looking forward to having this talk with my kids
    merleandtina@Yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. http://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/130811196378058752
    merleandtina@Yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Never be really ready for kids to grow up.

    ReplyDelete
  71. My oldest granddaughter started her first period this weekend. It certainly brought back memories of my daughter´s teen years.
    traymona(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I am definitely not prepared:) He is seven so I hope I still have some time!

    Thanks,

    selinda_mccumbers at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. My boys have passed through adolescence and I've survived! I wasn't looking forward to it but it was not as bad as I'd thought. Thankfully I only have minimal wrinkles from it!
    dahbou at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/didyouyarnthat/status/131207382666711040
    dahbou at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  75. No kids. I started wearing deodorant way back in the beginnings of time.. Or at least 50 years ago.
    Thanks for the contest.

    BTW - where were your boys in that beautiful picture with the lake & mountains in the background?

    ReplyDelete
  76. blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2011/10/win-100-visa-from-blogher-unilever.html

    ReplyDelete
  77. tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/lindabr1001/status/131355210500157441

    ReplyDelete
  78. i'm not prepared and thankfully my kids are too young

    ReplyDelete
  79. http://twitter.com/#!/rsmc1/status/131585082476605440

    ReplyDelete
  80. I don't have kids of my own; however, I do have plenty of wrinkles thanks to my fur babies! LOL I have especially started noticing them around my eyes and on my forehead! bleh!
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  81. I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/131819125554155521
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  82. I am not prepared and it will not be much longer, I can see the attitude coming already. sweepmorey at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  83. I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/mommysdizzy/status/131869533626576897

    ReplyDelete
  84. Trying to get my teenager who is special needs to understand the importance of deodorant is difficult.

    ReplyDelete
  85. No I am SO not prepared! My kids think deodorant is 'gross'! They understand the importance of bathing properly, I've been very honest with them about what can happen if you don't properly cleanse. So I think a transition to deodorant will just be a natural progression, I guess. We'll see!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  86. Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/131900823595786241

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  87. i have a lot of wrinkles from my job, but i am def not prepped for my child's adolescence.

    ReplyDelete
  88. https://twitter.com/#!/mermont84/status/131904664663900161

    ReplyDelete
  89. I have too many wrinkles from the stress of life, but just starting to prepare for my daughter's changes. I'm planning on buying a whole series of books to help me talk to her and for her to read.
    chipdip2010(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  90. Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/chipdip2010/status/132078106537242624
    chipdip2010(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  91. Adolescence?! I'm not ready for walking yet! (she's still a crawler)

    ReplyDelete
  92. Adolescence? Been there done that and no way I want to go through it again!!

    ReplyDelete
  93. https://twitter.com/#!/cjwallace43/status/132176651466457089

    ReplyDelete
  94. Adolescence means they're getting older so it makes me sad.

    mybeachylife at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  95. My boys are all grown now and it does make me sad. They were pretty easy to get through puberty. None of them ever made a big deal out of it. Now I have two little grandsons and it will be a while before we have to deal with them changing.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    eswright18 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  96. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/eswright18/status/132225814866563073

    ReplyDelete
  97. I was not prepared for my oldest going to Kinder this year.I will NEVER be ready for adolescence!!

    ReplyDelete
  98. I was 12 when I first started wearing deodorant the same age as my son and daughter were when they first started wearing it too

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  99. http://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/132456924494036992

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  100. Not looking forward to it at all.
    MCantu1019 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  101. I'm prepared for his adolescence, but I wish I could keep him little for a bit longer!

    runningmatey at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  102. http://twitter.com/#!/LuckyDuckyToo/status/132501435173715968


    runningmatey at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  103. NO, not from what I've heard other parents say lol. They're so quit & innocent when they're sooo young =)

    kytah00@yahoo.com

    PS A lady never reveals her "actual" amount of wrinkles

    ReplyDelete
  104. 2nd entry tweet @ http://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/132502982641192961

    kytah00@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  105. Thank goodness, my kids are grown and I have already been through this! It was certainly easier with my daughter than my son!
    marcia.goss@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  106. Tweet.
    https://twitter.com/#!/mgoss123/status/132516675047264257
    marcia.goss@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  107. I am still TTC, so no worries about adolescence for a while. I have nieces that are 10 and 14 though, so I know what I have to look forward to.

    the imagine tree at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  108. I do not have kids but this something to think about when i do

    purple_lover_04 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  109. https://twitter.com/#!/purplelover04/status/132565932840202240

    ReplyDelete
  110. No kids in our household, so we won't have those problems. But good luck to everyone else dealing with your kids!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    email in blogger profile.

    ReplyDelete
  111. tweet- http://twitter.com/#!/js22222222/status/132566916530323456
    email in blogger profile.

    ReplyDelete
  112. I don't have kids yet but my BFF is a middle school teacher and she says the entire school smells terrible as parents haven't had the talk yet with their kids.

    ReplyDelete
  113. Thank you for the post, it was really honest and sincere, I don't think I'll ever be prepared, they're too little and too cute right?

    abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  114. tweeted about the promo http://twitter.com/abitnerdy/status/132658763990695936

    abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  115. Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/computerfan/status/133022501683998721

    cranky30[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  116. My son is now past the adolescence period and we made it through just fine. I prayed for wisdom to keep our communication open so that we could talk openly about everything. I believe if a child KNOWS that a parent's love is unconditional it makes it easier..NOW FOR THE WRINKLES..1,2,3,4,5,6,..7,8,9, oh shot there's another one - 10,11,12,,,can I stop counting now? lol
    wmmeatlady@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete