indoctrinating son

[BeeWolf]

I was thinking about getting my son some shaving gear, but I'm not sure if I should.

He's a pretty private dude, as we all are at 14, so I'm not sure about his exact shaving habits. But he definitely is doing it at least occasionally. I know because there are disposable razors and canned shaving cream being left about (which he is undoubtedly getting from his older sister and his mother).

Anyway, I don't know if he's amicable to devoting time and energy into this. What I regard as a 15 minute break from the more mundane aspects of life, he probably regards as a three-stroke necessity just to make sure his chin isn't fuzzy.

Any other dads out there have experience on indoctrinating their sons into the fold?

[MaduroMan_wcp]

sit down and talk to him about it, show him your stuff and explain how it works and how to use it. let him know that it's a skill that all can not muster, (to work on his ego) and see what happens...

[chop-chop]

BeeWulf,

This sounds like a great opportunity to celebrate his rite of passage into manhood, and to shaving the most efficient way! No doubt, if he's into it, he'll avoid the shave dilemma of ingrown hairs, for starters.

Do you have some shave gear that you could pass on to him, or were you thinking of getting him his own shave kit?

Carpe diem!

Tchau,
chop-chop

[BeeWolf]

I have an extra bowl and a brush stand, but basically I'd have to buy a new razor and brush. Whether I got him a basic kit new or simply gave him my Merkur classic and C&E Best Badger is an open question. If I chose the latter, however, I could justify getting new stuff for myself! :)

[galpman]

I wish my dad would have taken this road. I had to learn myself, and now after 35 years, re-learning.

[TromboneGuy]

There's a simple way that will work on all 14-year-old boys.

Tell him cute girls might act like they like scruffy-looking guys, but they don't really want to be scrubbing up against a sandpaper face. Then show him that this is the way to get a face a girl will like being close to.

Of course, you will then turn your son into a chick magnet, so be prepared for that.

[BeeWolf]

With a face like this, I'm going to have to be prepared no matter what.

[Straight Arrow]

My advice is to give him a basic setup as a gift for no special occassion. It'll mean more than a gift on his birthday, Christmas, whatever. He doesn't want you to know it, being at that awkward age, but you mean more than anything to him and he wants your approval. Maybe he won't do anything at all with the gift for awhile but eventually I bet he dives into it and it will become a meaningful bond between the two of you. I have a son, nearly 23, and just got him into the DE shaving experience. He loves it. Good luck! Cherish that kid.

[Ernie]

I wish my dad would have taken this road. I had to learn myself, and now after 35 years, re-learning.

As much as my father taught me, I had to learn all this shaving business myself. Now, at 22, I'm learning more than ever (thanks to you, B&B!).

He may be insecure about it, but you should offer him at least some information, tips, and advice about shaving in general. You know much more than he does, and once he realizes this, he should be all ears. Then you can introduce him to the real way of shaving.

Good looking kid, too. Must be his mother's fault.

[BeeWolf]

Good looking kid, too. Must be his mother's fault

I'm afraid you're right :)

Thanks for the tips so far, everyone. Very helpful.

[Kmitch]

My advice is to give him a basic setup as a gift for no special occassion. It'll mean more than a gift on his birthday, Christmas, whatever. He doesn't want you to know it, being at that awkward age, but you mean more than anything to him and he wants your approval. Maybe he won't do anything at all with the gift for awhile but eventually I bet he dives into it and it will become a meaningful bond between the two of you. I have a son, nearly 23, and just got him into the DE shaving experience. He loves it. Good luck! Cherish that kid.

I think Rich has a great idea. I also got my son who is 28 into DE shaving. At any age, anything that can be a common interest between a Pop and son is worth any price. Very nice looking young man, I'm sure you are proud of him.

[RichGem]

I like the idea of the "special occasion" gift set if there's an occasion coming up soon. Also, be prepared to raise his allowence for when SCAD hits. Good luck!
(PS... my introduction to shaving from my Dad came with the Christmas gift of an electric shaver. Unfortunately, he always used electrics, so that's what I started with. Oddly, even then, I felt that a blade was the way to go... it just seemed more "right". But, didn't actually step up to the blade until college and no DE until last Nov. at the ripe "old" age of 37).

[rtaylor61]

My son at H.S. graduation. The C&E box contains the C&E best badger. He also has my SCS brush (no longer available). Explain to him that shaving for most is a chore, but it does not have to be that way. He can learn to enjoy it. And now is the time!

Randy (BTW, that is a RECORD PLAYER wrapped in plastic in the background!)

[Straight Arrow]

Cool lava lamp!

[Ernie]

Good shave!