Smelly Kid

[tch1920]

I have a 3rd grade little girl that smells like urine. I have given a change of clothes twice this week and had her wipe down in the bathroom. She lives with her father and he doesn't seem to be very hygienic either. This child smells so bad that it is affecting the class room learning environment. I've talked to her about what is causing this to happen and she says that she wets the bed almost every night and they don't have a way to wash clothes. I have to talk to this dad but i'm not sure of how to say it. Anyone had to address this with a parent before? Apparently the father leaves for work daily before the child gets up and dressed for school and her older brother sends her to school with dirty and smelly clothes.

[NurseCard, ADN]

Poor baby.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Make sure the pedi knows! As other have said, could potentially be a sign of abuse.

[wondern, ASN]

It could just be she wets the bed without abuse hopefully and then sleeps on pee pee sheets overnight and then again night after night. Isn't that abusive in itself though? I wonder if they have a washer and dryer???

Ask the Dad. Well tell him first sincerely that you don't want to hurt or embarrass him but his daughter is being embarrassed daily. Tell him matter of factly what you told us. It's hard on the girl. She's getting her feelings hurt.

Is it okay to ask the girl if anybodies' hurting her??? Or if she's afraid of anybody???

Extra clothes to send home here and there sounds nice too if possible. Wonder what happened to her mom?

My heart aches reading this. I was a bed wetter until I was about 8 years old, and my DS who is 12 has had a few random episodes. As a parent, it can be very frustrating, especially if it is occurring on a nightly basis.

I too am having a hard time reigning in my protective mom and nursing brain and am worried about the fact that Dad isn't around, and an older brother is responsible for her. If there is a way to ask her if there is anything going on at home I would. Here at my school, our counselor will ask "do you feel safe at home? Is there anyone in your home or that you see who makes you feel unsafe"? Maybe start there. If she says no and you feel comfortable with her response, can you call the dad and tell him what others have suggested? I know it is especially hard if there is limited access to laundry. Perhaps having her sleep in incontinence underwear so that at least they are not dealing with sheets

This poor, sweet baby will be on my mind all day

[MrsNurse08]

If she's like my 4th grader hopefully she's afraid to get up at night because she/he has been snicking and watching horror movies. Hoping for the best outcome...

[Cattz, ADN]

Id definitely give dad a chance to get her to the dr. to rule out a medical issue. But, first and foremost, I would want to know if she has always wet the bed or if this is something new, is there anyone new in the home? If it doesn't get better within a reasonable amount of time and there were other red flags. A Hotline call would be in my line of thinking. I don't always think of getting somebody in trouble when I make a call...sometimes, that is exactly what is needed. But, my hope most of the time is that it will get the family some needed help and resources. Hopefully, someone to come into the home and help. Bless her precious little heart, Life is so hard sometimes. It. Breaks. My. Heart.