Playing with themselves...
Now that it's summer, it's pretty hot and my two boys (DS1 is 3 and DS2 is 4) obviously wear less. Subsequently, they often wear nothing at home or in the backyard and when you have little boys with no underpants on...they quickly begin to become preoccupied with their penises.
At home it's okay as I can just ignore it and if they need to do something else (like have a meal), I can quickly tell them to wash their hands and come to the table without drawing attention to what they were doing being wrong or dirty.
However, now that they have got into the habit of doing it on some sort of basis at home, they will often reach their hands into their pants and begin to fiddle. If we're doing something that disinterests them like when I go shopping, it's very difficult to distract them with something else and make sure they leave themselves alone. Has anyone else had the problem of needing them to stop without giving them any hang-ups about their bodies, and any suggestions for how to make it clear that it is only appropriate at home and not when other people are around? I mainly ask because my DH said his parents were quite strict on the whole issue and now he feels awkward about the whole thing.
^_^:
Now that it's summer, it's pretty hot and my two boys (DS1 is 3 and DS2 is 4) obviously wear less. Subsequently, they often wear nothing at home or in the backyard and when you have little boys with no underpants on...they quickly begin to become preoccupied with their penises.
At home it's okay as I can just ignore it and if they need to do something else (like have a meal), I can quickly tell them to wash their hands and come to the table without drawing attention to what they were doing being wrong or dirty.
However, now that they have got into the habit of doing it on some sort of basis at home, they will often reach their hands into their pants and begin to fiddle. If we're doing something that disinterests them like when I go shopping, it's very difficult to distract them with something else and make sure they leave themselves alone. Has anyone else had the problem of needing them to stop without giving them any hang-ups about their bodies, and any suggestions for how to make it clear that it is only appropriate at home and not when other people are around? I mainly ask because my DH said his parents were quite strict on the whole issue and now he feels awkward about the whole thing. I am not sure what to say as I would have approached this differently from the start of things. Jordan reaches down her diaper all the time, and I tell her that we do that when we are alone and not with other people (even mommy and daddy). I know she it soo young to understand right now, but she'll catch on soon. :) Since your kids are older, I would just tell them that it is not appropriate anywhere except at home. I think the direct approach is the best approach.
Good luck!!!
^_^:
Hi, I don't have any answers, but I sympathize with your dilemma. My daughter is 20 months old and has been fond of rocking herself against something since she was about 13 months old. We ignore it right now, as we don't want her to think that what she is doing is bad. We figure when she's old enough to understand the concept of privacy, that's when we'll start trying to teach her to only do that when she's by herself. But even when that time comes, I'm sure I'm going to be worrying about accidentally making her feel like she's doing something "dirty."
I'll keep close tabs on this thread, I'd love to hear what others have to say!
Good luck,
Trish
^_^:
DD(25 months) often likes to touch herself too. I try to explain to her that it is OK that she does it, but it is something to be done in her room. Sometimes she will get up go to her room and play with herself for awhile, other times she just stops. I am always careful not to make her feel she is doing anything wrong.
One time I was changing her diaper on her bed and she began to fondle herself and said "In Room" All I could do was laugh and say "Yes I'll finish the diaper when you are done"
Sandy
More Topical:
At home it's okay as I can just ignore it and if they need to do something else (like have a meal), I can quickly tell them to wash their hands and come to the table without drawing attention to what they were doing being wrong or dirty.
However, now that they have got into the habit of doing it on some sort of basis at home, they will often reach their hands into their pants and begin to fiddle. If we're doing something that disinterests them like when I go shopping, it's very difficult to distract them with something else and make sure they leave themselves alone. Has anyone else had the problem of needing them to stop without giving them any hang-ups about their bodies, and any suggestions for how to make it clear that it is only appropriate at home and not when other people are around? I mainly ask because my DH said his parents were quite strict on the whole issue and now he feels awkward about the whole thing.
^_^:
Now that it's summer, it's pretty hot and my two boys (DS1 is 3 and DS2 is 4) obviously wear less. Subsequently, they often wear nothing at home or in the backyard and when you have little boys with no underpants on...they quickly begin to become preoccupied with their penises.
At home it's okay as I can just ignore it and if they need to do something else (like have a meal), I can quickly tell them to wash their hands and come to the table without drawing attention to what they were doing being wrong or dirty.
However, now that they have got into the habit of doing it on some sort of basis at home, they will often reach their hands into their pants and begin to fiddle. If we're doing something that disinterests them like when I go shopping, it's very difficult to distract them with something else and make sure they leave themselves alone. Has anyone else had the problem of needing them to stop without giving them any hang-ups about their bodies, and any suggestions for how to make it clear that it is only appropriate at home and not when other people are around? I mainly ask because my DH said his parents were quite strict on the whole issue and now he feels awkward about the whole thing. I am not sure what to say as I would have approached this differently from the start of things. Jordan reaches down her diaper all the time, and I tell her that we do that when we are alone and not with other people (even mommy and daddy). I know she it soo young to understand right now, but she'll catch on soon. :) Since your kids are older, I would just tell them that it is not appropriate anywhere except at home. I think the direct approach is the best approach.
Good luck!!!
^_^:
Hi, I don't have any answers, but I sympathize with your dilemma. My daughter is 20 months old and has been fond of rocking herself against something since she was about 13 months old. We ignore it right now, as we don't want her to think that what she is doing is bad. We figure when she's old enough to understand the concept of privacy, that's when we'll start trying to teach her to only do that when she's by herself. But even when that time comes, I'm sure I'm going to be worrying about accidentally making her feel like she's doing something "dirty."
I'll keep close tabs on this thread, I'd love to hear what others have to say!
Good luck,
Trish
^_^:
DD(25 months) often likes to touch herself too. I try to explain to her that it is OK that she does it, but it is something to be done in her room. Sometimes she will get up go to her room and play with herself for awhile, other times she just stops. I am always careful not to make her feel she is doing anything wrong.
One time I was changing her diaper on her bed and she began to fondle herself and said "In Room" All I could do was laugh and say "Yes I'll finish the diaper when you are done"
Sandy
More Topical: