Lindsey Weedston
Sounds the alarms, we have different opinions on personal hygiene happening on the internet again.
A particular post by a mom on the popular parenting forum “Mumsnet” made waves to the point of inspiring articles by admitting with no small display of shame that she doesn’t shower every day, asking her fellow parental units if this made her “disgusting.”
Apparently, she had first admitted this to a group of friends, many of whom are also moms, not realizing that she wasn’t in the norm when it came to her showering schedule, as they all “looked at me in horror.”
She explained that on a typical week, she showers about three times per day—on her two working days and one extra—spreading them out and taking extra showers if she has a sweaty workout, is on her period, or otherwise feels that she needs one.
“Full disclosure I have two dd one under five and I work part-time,” she explained.
“I shower on workdays plus one extra day so usually three times a week my days off usually consist of playing at home, walking dog, school run and maybe park. I would shower extra if exercising/having sex/on period etc. I bath my dc three times a week. My oh works out every weekday so he does shower more than me. AIBD? (Disgusting).”
The woman’s friends evidently all shower daily, even the ones with babies who were complaining about how difficult it is to find the time to do so. Many commenters on Mumsnet said that they do the same, though not all, and some of those who are daily bathers rejected the idea that failing to do so is “disgusting” or deserves to be treated like a modern-day horror.
“I think it’s absolutely fine and only you can judge on your needs!” wrote one user. “For me, I like to shower every day first thing in the morning (when possible) as it’s way quicker than wash my armpits, face, lady parts etc and also because my fine hair looks awful if not washed every day.”
Others, however, couldn’t get over their own feeling of revulsion at the idea of not having their daily shower.
“Personally I think 3 times a week is pretty grim, sorry,” wrote the first commenter. “I am a shower everyday person. I can’t get going in the morning without one to be honest.”
According to health experts, most of the commenters are correct in saying that hygiene needs are as unique as human beings themselves. Some people naturally produce more sweat and oils on their skin and hair, as well as body odors that some might find unappealing. Others have more physical activity throughout the day or might be exposed to certain pathogens or chemicals that would benefit from a daily wash-off.
However, there is nothing to say that every person should be showering daily, and it’s entirely possible to shower too often, resulting in dry skin and hair, and our over-reliance on antibacterial soaps may have contributed to the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains.
But if nobody notices a smell or other signs of poor hygiene, then who is anyone to tell a mom how often she should shower? To most, this seems like a “you do you” type situation.
“Shower when you want to?” wrote another parent. “If you stink then yes, shower more. If not, who actually cares just how much time you spend washing? I have a shower every day but that’s because I’m a manky person who tends to smell super quick!”
