Hygiene struggles can feel confusing, especially when your child is capable, bright, and has done these routines many times before. What often gets missed is how physical and vulnerable hygiene can feel in the body. It asks kids to stop what they’re doing, move through strong sensory input, and give up control over their body and timing. When capacity is already low, even familiar routines can feel overwhelming. This doesn’t mean boundaries disappear. It means the way we hold them matters. When kids feel supported in their body, cooperation becomes more accessible. If hygiene has been a sticking point in your house, you’re not alone. This is a common place where nervous system needs show up loud and clear. 
#parenting #middleschoolkids #nervoussystem #sensorysupport #regulation