When your 3 to 4 years old child get exposed to affectionate seen what the best think to do?

Question

When your 3 to 4 years old child get exposed to affectionate seen like kissing while waching TV, or people wearing revealing clothes. What is the best thing to do. Even our cartoons now a days showing characters with exposed part of the body like superwomen etc..

Should I just shelter him from such! Please advice!

Answer 1

Use your best judgement!

Answer 2

My parents never acted any different about the things I saw on television. The key is how you react to the "normal" affection scenes, or shows with people in revealing clothing. By normal, I mean the "everyday" types of these things. If you act aghast, or horrified, or as if it is dirty or wrong, then the child will adopt these attitudes as well. This can lead to an unhealthy attitude toward affection and sexuality as they grow up. As a teacher, I see several students who come from "sheltered" homes; when they start to get that little bit of freedom that comes with adolescence, they don't tend to handle it well. They often go overboard, and to extremes. For girls, they often will turn to promiscuous behavior. They have never encountered these things in a sheltered home, and they don't know how to handle it when they get older.

Of course, I am not talking about things such as pornography or extreme nudity. Those cases require a more delicate response and discussion. In cases where I may have witnessed this as a child, my parents would talk to me about the appropriateness of what I saw, drawing parallels to the more "tame" things I had previously seen.

Answer 3

Well, you don't expose them to it.

You turn on PBS or Nick Jr., put in a Veggie Tales DVD, whatever, that does not have women in revealing clothing and making-out scenes. Or you turn the TV off.

If YOU want to watch a TV show that has it, TiVo it and watch it after your kids are in bed.

If they happen to see it, despite all your precautions, don't over-explain. Just answer questions, if they have them, as simply and honestly as you can without revealing much.


PS. I'm referring to stuff that is past the realm of usual or understandable. If your child watches The Little Mermaid, Ariel in her fins and shell-bikini is fine. I'm talking about overtly sexual scenes.

Answer 4

As a mother to 2 kids under 5, you should monitor the sexual content of what they see. They are still so impressionable and until they can understand some concept of romantic love, don't expose them. Kissing and hugging are acceptable but anything more than a passionate kiss will confuse them. Sexy dressing I think is harmless, the human body is beautiful and should be appreciated. It is up to you in terms of what level of provocative clothing choices he's able to watch. Don't be overzealous and give him a complex.

Answer 5

Let it be noramlized as much as possible if you are okay with your child being open sexually. If not try to explain what was going on and why.

I am a volunteer for Planned Parenthood and that is how we deal with the situation.

Answer 6

Affection is a normal and healthy human behavior. You might let them know that it's an adult thing, but don't shelter them too much it will only confuse them

Answer 7

just let him/her know that its for grown-ups... sheltering them won't work... children are curious & they just need to learn whats appropriate for them & whats not