How do you explain an erection to a 4 y/o?

JandBandB

My son just woke up from a nap and was very upset b/c his penis was erect. This was the first time that he brought this to my attention.

He kept "touching" himself down there and I asked if he needed to go to the bathroom and he said no.  Then he explained that he needed to keep hitting himself to make his "pee pee get small!"  I looked (b/c I was confused) and it was erect.

How do you explain this to a little kid. He then asked "If I stop thinking about scary things, will my pee pee stop getting big?"  (I was on the phone with my MIL while this conversation took place!) She was howling on her end and I had to keep a straight face!

Any advice?

Pesky

I'd just say "honey, it's normal, that's what boys' bodies do and happens to all boys and men, even daddy.  Your penis sometimes gets big and sticks out but most of the time it won't.  Just run around and it'll wear off and get smaller again.  No big deal."  That is how a neighbor handled it with her son and it was a non-issue.  Not sure I would get into more detail at that age. 

howleyshell

Pesky:

I'd just say "honey, it's normal, that's what boys' bodies do and happens to all boys and men, even daddy.  Your penis sometimes gets big and sticks out but most of the time it won't.  Just run around and it'll wear off and get smaller again.  No big deal."  That is how a neighbor handled it with her son and it was a non-issue.  Not sure I would get into more detail at that age. 

Pretty much this.

One of mine gets erections all.  the.   time.

His instinct was to touch it and I had to explain that if he'll go do something else it will go away faster.

If I catch him with his hands down his pants I remind him that that needs to be done in private and ask if he wants to stop or if he wants to go to his room or the bathroom.

If you make light of it so will he! 

ppants

I told DS that it's normal and that's it's just more blood flow to his penis.  He's fascinated by his body and had previously noticed all the blood vessels in this nether region.   

 I'm fine with kids touching themselves, but it should be done in private so if he continues touching himself, he should go to his room or somewhere private.

mabma80

LOL!!  That happened to DS1 not to long ago.  I told him "Well, Mommy doesn't know a lot about little boy winkies, so we'll wait 'til Daddy comes home and ask him."  He was fine with that 'til DH came home and I told him what happened.  

Luckly, DS1 was curious about his winkie all day and DH found him in his room studying "it".  Then, DS1 asked DH about what happened.  I think he just told him that that sometimes happens with winkies and it's ok.  Just to leave it alone and it will go away on its own. 

UsedToBeGoldie

keep it simple.

"sometimes your penis will do that... it's normal and it's OK... and it will go back down soon- don't worry about it".... that's what i say to my son - and he's totally fine with the answer.