[fantasie]

OK, I'm pretty new at this job, and I need some input. Our principal and a teacher at the high school where I work asked me to call a student into my office and discuss her hygiene (or lack thereof). I was wondering what is the best way to approach this without causing the student a lot of discomfort and embarrassment. Thanks in advance.

[DDRN4me]

i have had that request before. I bring the girl (or boy) in and discuss how as one ages one needs to take better care of themselves, discuss how they as adolescents perspire more ,etc; i usually kept samples of soaps, shampoos and and deodorants in the office; would then give her/him a little goodie bag.

[Jeanine]

I do the same as above. I also try and remind them that other kids notice these poor hygiene habits, and that it would hurt me if other kids made fun of them.
Don't forget, some girls who are being sexually abused keep themselves dirty on purpose, in hopes of being unattractive and repulsive to their abuser. I've actually had that happen at my middle school once and she finally spilled the beans on the abuser. I'll never forget having to send the police to the house because her little sister was kept home from school by the abuser one day, and my student had finally felt comfortable getting it off of her shoulders.

[michigooseBSN]

Especially with boys I often call the mother and suggest that Dad or an older brother have a conversation with the offender. It might be less embarrasing for the boy than having the female nurse discuss such a sensitive issue with him. I, too, always stress that a big part of the issue is to prevent others from teasing or avoiding the smelly kid. (it usually is a body odor problem with pre pubertal 4th and 5th graders). And of course, we discuss hygiene as part of our growth and development ( i.e. sex ed) classes which I give.