Community› The Bump Message Boards› Toddlers: 24 Months+
Toddlers: 24 Months+
New Discussion

Teaching LO about their "privates"..

lismoglismog
in Toddlers: 24 Months+
How did you explain to your LO that their body parts are private and who is allowed to touch them, like when helping her wipe after going potty or showering, etc.  I had told her a few times only mommy and daddy can touch there but then realized my parents watch her alot and my aunt babysits sometimes, as well as my inlaws so do you go through the whole list of people or what do you do?  Also for getting her dressed, she lifts up her shirt sometimes when we're out in public and I tell her her boobies are private and she shouldn't let people see, but then I don't want her to not allow family to help her get dressed when she needs it.
Report Reply to Post

Re: Teaching LO about their "privates"..

  • ilovemygirlsilovemygirls member

    It's not a one time conversation you will have- it's something you talk about over & over & it will evolve more as they ask more questions.  I have always told my kids they have a vagina, boys have penises- that's what makes us different, etc.  As they get older and are PT'ing, that's when you start talking about keeping our private areas "private" and talk about when it's appropriate to have them "out" (potting, bathtime, etc)  I'd ask "who helps you in the bathroom when you have to go potty?" and say YES, sometimes you need help from people in your family; or when we go to the dr, sometimes they have to look at our private parts but only with mommy or daddy there and it's to make sure we are healthy. (My younger DD had a UTI so dr had to lift up her panties & look at her quickly, so that was a good reference for her).

    I started talking more about strangers, or people touching our privates who shouldn't be when my DD's were around 4ish.  We talk about never keeping a secret from mommy or daddy (keeping 'surprises' is okay for a birthday, etc) and that they can always tell us anything, and we'd keep them safe.  I role play 'stranger' with them (what do we do if someone tries to take us, etc) . Obviously the bigger concern is someone that they know touching them inappropriately (much more common than abduction, for sure) so I'm really just now starting to get into that more w/my 6yo- though my 4yo  listens to everything & understands too, so she's getting an earlier education on the subject.  You just have to keep talking about the subject in different aspects/ways and it def. changes as they age.  Make it a normal part of conversation & not "scary" or "taboo" so they feel free to talk about it with you.  Oh the questions & ideas mine have come up with in these talks lol! 

    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • WiggleBabyWiggleBaby
    yea i do the same thing you do (my DD is 2.5 yrs), tell her that her boobs, vagina and butt are "private".  she will say it to me while getting dressed or while wiping her butt sometimes with a big smile, like "nooo silly mommy those are private!" but i also tell her it's only ok for our family and doctors to see.  sometimes that gets us into a long discussion about who our family is... mom, dad, uncle/aunt, grandma/grandpa.
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"