Maggie Perkins, who left teaching to work at Costco, has opened up about the hygiene habits that often go unnoticed yet deeply affect children’s well-being and social comfort at school.
- Kids notice hygiene issues even if parents don’t.
- Simple habits like deodorant and clean clothes prevent embarrassment.
- Teaching compassion is as vital as teaching hygiene.
What happened
Maggie Perkins, a former teacher who quit the profession citing worsening work conditions, has gained attention by sharing practical advice for parents about their children’s hygiene. After leaving teaching at 29, she found fulfillment working at Costco and began speaking more openly about challenges she faced as an educator. Through a viral TikTok, she shared four important hygiene tips she couldn't openly discuss while in the classroom.
Her advice focuses on basic hygiene concerns such as keeping nails trimmed and clean, starting deodorant use by fifth grade, wearing appropriate undergarments to avoid embarrassment, and ensuring outerwear like jackets are regularly washed to maintain cleanliness. These tips are aimed at both improving children's health and sparing them from social discomfort among peers.
Why it feels good
Perkins’ candidness offers reassurance to parents that small hygiene routines can significantly impact a child’s comfort at school and their self-esteem. Knowing that kids are often more aware of these issues than adults realize helps foster a caring approach at home. Her emphasis on early, simple habits empowers parents to support their children through important developmental stages with confidence.
The community response has been warm, with many sharing experiences of embarrassment or challenges related to hygiene in their own childhoods. Importantly, Perkins also highlights the need for kindness and compassion toward children who may struggle due to their home situations, encouraging empathy along with practical care.
What to enjoy or watch next
Following the success of her first video, Perkins has continued making content offering additional tips for parents, such as the effects of smoking on a child’s smell and practical advice about washing water bottles and paying attention to ear cleanliness. These ongoing insights provide valuable, straightforward parenting guidance grounded in real classroom experience.
Parents looking to support their kids can find Perkins’ videos on TikTok under #teachersoftiktok and related tags. Her approachable style and focus on everyday topics make her a helpful resource for those navigating the challenges of raising healthy, happy children in today’s world.