On Dressing and Bathing – a 9 year olds lament

Posted on Feb 11, 2009 in Mama vents

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My son is one of THOSE kids.  You know the one that NEVER matches or even thinks that matching is necessary.  He has no problem showing up to school in some neon shirt and red shorts with grey sock and tennis shoes.  (Seriously! His teacher and I have had a great laugh evaluating some outfits that the boys come up with.)   He has heard about that mythical concept of "matching" but I think believes that "idea" is something that needs to be put into action only under duress.  sigh… 

My handsome nine year old is also vehemently opposed to showering.  It is a daily – well more like every OTHER day battle at our house.  Gone are the days he happily jumped in the bath and played for 20 minutes giving me some peace and quiet.  I wouldn't be so upset about this – but this kid plays 3 sports – soccer, baseball and basketball.  (I know way too  much – but that is a whole 'nutha post.)   So on any given day he will have had 1 hour of gym class and 2 hours of practice – that kid is dirty and sweaty – ugh!

So this is how our daily evening conversation goes –
Me: "Time to take a shower kid – you stink."
Kid: "Oh, come on mom, do I have to? please"  (Kid looks disturbed and perplexed at why he even has to bathe)
Me: " Uh yeah, you had gym and had baseball practice, look at the grass stains on your knees."
Kid: "It was only baseball practice.  I am just sort of sweaty, but not really.  I think I should not have to. I mean I didn't run for 2 straight hours – maybe just an hour of it."
Then Dad jumps in: "That's true,  it was only baseball – he isn't THAT sweaty."
Me:  (rolls eyes dismissively) OMG people – get in the shower! 

Some days I win and some days I relent…homework has to get done anyway.

The ladies at Juice Box Jungle are talking this week about the concept of whether daddy does it right – when left to their own devices does your husband actually parent well.   I have to say that my husband, John, is fantastic as a parent.  Always there, helps with homework, coaches the soccer team – he is a super dad.  Really. 

But HELLO! He is "Not THAT sweaty" ????  What?? 

I remember thinking when I was a younger mom, that my kids would always
look clean, match and well look presentable. (nice fantasy, huh?)  I suppose my 9YO son has never HAD to learn the "concept"  of matching because he wears a
school uniform and when he isn't in those pre-assigned clothes he wears a team uniform for a
sport he is playing.  I choose my battles and dressing badly is tolerable, but bathing. Oh no! 

I often think that my son would never take showers if given a choice and left with my husband.  My son would wear the same neon pokemon shirt for 3 days before he changed his shirt and my daughter would probably where a princess dress complete with tiara to school.

My dear husband is great but he knows I would never let him dress the kids for picture day and I would never LEAVE the kids hygiene up to him.  He is useless in those arenas.  Is that letting him off the hook in the parent realm?  Maybe, so be it – got bigger battles to win, like eating veggies and homework.