Newsweek
Mom fed up with telling pre-teen kids to shower—but she has a plan
Maggie Wachter had reached the end of her tether with her kids trying to argue their way out of soap and water.
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Tired of Shower Battles? This Mom's Flowchart for Kids is a Game-Changer
A creative solution to a common household dilemma is gaining traction online, as one mother, known as Maggie on TikTok, shared her ingenious "shower flowchart" designed for her preteen children. The flowchart, which humorously guides kids through a series of questions to determine their need for a shower, has resonated with parents worldwide. Maggie, who goes by @imdoinggreatttt, explained in her video, "I'm so tired of being the shower police in my house, so I made this handy flowchart for my preteen kids." The chart begins with the question, "Do I need to shower?" and branches out to inquiries such as whether they had gym or played a sport, or if they showered the previous day. Each path, regardless of the initial answer, eventually leads to the conclusion that a shower is necessary. For instance, if a child showered yesterday but had a long day and would benefit from a hot shower, the chart suggests a shower with a steamer. The most amusing branch of the flowchart directs children who answer "no" to all preceding questions to "Go to mom or Dad for a sniff test," adding the parenthetical note, "(will likely result in a shower)." The video, uploaded on August 22, 2025, quickly amassed over 2.8 million views and thousands of comments from other parents sharing their own struggles and praising Maggie's innovative approach. One commenter noted, "I love how all options lead to ," while another, whose daughter acts like taking a daily shower is "so inconvenient," expressed solidarity. The flowchart offers a lighthearted yet effective strategy for tackling a persistent parenting challenge.
