My son is starting to play with his ... private area. He's almost 4. Sometimes I notice and I ignore it. But why is he doing it? It's freaking me out! I'm a single mom. I don't have a boyfriend. I don't know what to do or say to him. What do I do?
2007-01-30 05:34:19 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I have a 16 month old son and he is deeply fascinated w/ his genitals. It's very, very normal. At 4 though, it would be reasonable to let your son know that he should explore those parts of his body in privacy. I wouldn't shame him or even insist he stop. At this age, he is just checking out his body and how it works. It probably does feel good to him but it does't me he is in any way a pervert. I recommend being gentle and patient w/ him but letting him know that it's not okay to do in front of others (not even you if it makes you uncomfortable).
2007-01-30 05:40:36 · answer #1 · answered by Kari 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mom with twin boys 3 1/2 and they both do it. As weird as it sounds it's a good thing. He's realizing he has this body part. Give him guidelines like he can only do it in his bed. Not in public or things of that nature. My Ped.. suggested throwing a blanket over them when they do it. Let him know there is a time and place. Also the first time it gets hard he will be scared. Just let him know it's OK and to that touching it makes it that away. of course have him wash his hands. I know it's hard but it's nature.
2007-01-30 14:09:22 · answer #2 · answered by rnlmamma 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's just part of growing up. I'm in nursing school and the lectures we had on the growth and development of humans is that around this age we start to explore our bodies. I personally thought that was a little young but once I looked at my own three year old i realized that it wasn't. They just don't have the sexual content behind their actions as teenagers and adults. If he's doing it at outside the home, just keep reinforcing that doesn't need to touch it in public. Hard i know, but hang in there.
KJ
2007-01-30 13:45:42 · answer #3 · answered by KJArk 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is very normal for boys at that age to 'play' with themselves. They are discovering their bodies! Just ignore him, let him do it. If you say something right now he may get embarressed. It's just exploration and every child does it...girls and boys. Good luck! Oh, I would also suggest looking at parenting.com or some of those sites. I find some of the best info about stuff like this from them.
2007-01-30 13:40:38 · answer #4 · answered by Mommy of Isaiah & Kenzie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son started doing that around the same age. I also was a single mom. I told him that mommy didn't want to see him doing it. If he wanted to touch himself he needed to do it in his room, by himself. I had to remind him a few times and he is 6 now and I haven't seen him doing it in a long time.
2007-01-30 13:41:09 · answer #5 · answered by ashley 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's important to not make him feel bad to playing with himself. I'm not sure about all this but my gut tells me that you should have a talk with him. Ask him why he's touching himself (make sure no one else is touching him!) and if he gives you an honest answer (like it feels good.) Make sure he knows it's ok to touch yourself and want to feel good, but that there is a time and place to do that. That it's not something we do infront of other people. It's something we do when we are alone, and that no one else is aloud to touch us there. My guess is that he's just exploring his body and trying to learn. I don't think it's right to make him feel bad or dirty for touching himself, just make sure he knows it's a private thing.
2007-01-30 13:41:48 · answer #6 · answered by rn4sicbabies 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could try to talk to him when you see him do it, telling him that he shouldn't be doing that. Kids go through a stage where they are discovering themselves. It's normal, but not at 4 years old. If he doesn't listen when you tell him not to touch himself, slap his hand, not enough to hurt him but enough to let him know that you aren't joking. If he still doesn't stop, talk to his doctor and see if there is anything that he can reccommend. Have you looked to see if there is any type of rash or anything down there that might be causing him discomfort? That might be why he's touching himself.
2007-01-30 13:41:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
H e is curious you need to go to the book store or on line and get him a book for kids about here body parts .Don't worry its normal mom he just wants to know why he has it so you have to explain to him they have lots of book for toddlers please get one so he will learn the right way.Also just to be on the safe side make sure he is not watching someone or something on television kid our natural imitators
2007-01-30 13:43:12 · answer #8 · answered by supergrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is normal. Don't stress! They do this.. it is a discovery thing. He will grow out of this. Just make sure he is not hurting himself.. like pinching the skin to hard or breaking skin.. otherwise.. it is normal. Good luck.
2007-01-30 13:46:16 · answer #9 · answered by luvthbaby2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's normal for kids to get used to their body and experiment with stuf!! as horrible as it may be it's natural you could either carry on ignoring it or maybe just have a word with him an d tell him it's not a very nice thing to do.....specially not infront of people!! :]
2007-01-30 13:40:22 · answer #10 · answered by youdidnotjustsaythat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋