Parenting

*Update* Is this "normal" or concerning? **Trigger warning**

Mags748Mags748 member
edited June 2014 in Parenting
***Update - I also consulted with my cousin who is an RN in a pediatrics office and she called for me and CPS will investigate. I haven't heard anything from my friend yet and not sure if I will. And yes, I was gone/busy all day with Father's Day plans and such which is why I didn't update until now.***

My friend has a son and daughter around the age of my DS and DD (her son is almost 6, daughter is 2.5). We had a joint rummage sale at her house and the kids were inside watching a movie. I went in for one of the frequent check-ins, and her daughter was laying across her son's lap and he was sticking his finger in her butt crack (clothed at least) and rubbing it back and forth. I said "what are you doing?" and told him that was not appropriate. My son said he was also rubbing her butt and spanking her. 

So I went out and told my friend. I was like "so I walked in and _______(her DD) was on top of_________(her DS)..." And then she cut me off and said "was he humping her?" I said no and explained what I saw. Almost even more concerning than the behavior was her response. She said that he is very "sensual" and tries to hump her daughter and other girls. She said her husbands thoughts are kind of that "boys will be boys" and she said, "at least he only does it to girls". I kind of made light of my horror and just said, "yeah, just tell him if he needs to hump something, do it to his stuffed animals in the privacy of his own room."

WTF? He is not a dog, he's a kid. My son has never tried to hump or do anything inappropriate to DD or other girls that I am aware of. I know kids can start exploring their own sexuality at a young age, and I definitely don't think they should be shamed about it. However, they need to be taught what is socially appropriate. I have told my son before, and I just reminded him again that it's okay for him to touch himself in private, but not to touch others, let others touch him, or let others see him touching him self. I questioned him about what his friend was doing, and he totally understood it was inappropriate.

Am I jumping too far ahead of myself in thinking this could lead to him sexually abusing their daughter if they don't deal with it more seriously?
imageimage
«1

Re: *Update* Is this "normal" or concerning? **Trigger warning**

  • Loading the player...
  • Some kids do explore at an early age but they need to be taught boundaries.
  • That seems really concerning.


    image image
  • I don't know if she deals with it more seriously and was just kind of embarrassed and didn't know what to say to me? I kind of didn't get that impression though. If she had come out and told me my son was doing that, I would have marched right in there and had a big discussion with him. She didn't go say anything to him at all.

    We are pretty good/close friends in some ways because of our common interests, but then sometimes I really question her beliefs and judgement about some things, especially parenting related. Some are not a big deal, just not typical or preferred. Then there are things like I just found out yesterday as well that her 2.5 year old is already in a booster seat. I wasn't sure of the WI law so I didn't say anything, but I just looked it up and a 5 point harness is required for kids under 4 and/or under 40 lbs in WI. So not only is it not safe, its also illegal. 
    imageimage
  • That is what you would call sexually reactive behavior. And he has learned that somewhere. It sounds to me like there already has been abuse, honestly.
    That was in the back of my mind, but I didn't want to go there. Do I bring this up to her? (I think I already know the answer, I just don't want to have this conversation.)
    imageimage
  • I'm not an expert but I would consider that not normal.

    Was the younger sister wearing a diaper or undies when he was rubbing her?

    Harry Styles = Life Ruiner

    image

    There’s a lightning in your eyes I can't deny
    Then there’s me inside a sinking boat running out of time
    Without you I'll never make it out alive
    But I know, yes, I know we’ll be alright
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    J. 1.14.13 my reason for breathing 
  • Holy hell, not normal.  Even if she didn't think it was SUCH a big deal as to really deal with him, the fact that is so blase as to leave her daughter and other people's children alone with him is SO fucked up.  SO.  I agree with others that there is enough reason to suspect abuse and something needs to be done.  Unfortunately, she's going to know it's you if CPS shows up at her door since this just happened and you talked about it.
    Formerly known as elmoali :)

    image
  • ShakeyJakeyShakeyJakey member
    edited June 2014


    My son does "spank" people, like his dad, but doesn't know what a spanking actually his, just butt pats. I hope something got lost in translation but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

    Harry Styles = Life Ruiner

    image

    There’s a lightning in your eyes I can't deny
    Then there’s me inside a sinking boat running out of time
    Without you I'll never make it out alive
    But I know, yes, I know we’ll be alright
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    J. 1.14.13 my reason for breathing 
  • (Lurking) This is so strange. As a teacher I've seen odd behavior from students and have had to have strange discussions with parents, but none of them have gone this way. This concerns me. DD didn't react to this? DS was casually doing this? M knew about it and let her two children alone in the house? How long were they alone? This weirds me out.
    DD didn't react, it was casual, he was kind of laughing I think. It was all 4 children in the room. My son said he didn't touch my daughter (or my son either) thankfully, but I definitely wasn't comfortable leaving them out of my site with him after that.
    imageimage
  • This content has been removed.
  • This content has been removed.
  • Ugh, I literally feel sick to my stomach now. There is still a part of me that wants to believe I don't know the whole story and am just reading too much into it. 

    My friend can be pretty oblivious to things (like having no clue or worries about car seat safety as mentioned above), so part of me is thinking that could be the case with this. Being her friend, I would like to talk to her first to see if she reacts and then call CPS if/when she doesn't. I do understand where everyone is coming from saying go straight to CPS but I would like to avoid that if she will take me seriously and do the right thing. 
    imageimage
  • Also, if you are at all even questioning if this is abuse. If you feel like you are incredibly close to this person so you feel you would already know if abuse was happening. Please believe it is easy to hide. Two week before I told my mom I was being sexually abused there was a huge story in the news about a girl who was. My mom found herself thinking about what person in my life could potentially do that. She thought of friends dads, bus driver, random people in town. Not once did the thought that my step dad was sexually abusing me every night for years ever enter her mind. When I finally told, her, and everyone that knew us was shocked. He was an awesome dad in their eyes. No one had a clue, not even my mom. So please believe, even if you feel like you are so close with this person and you would already know. No matter how close, it can happen without anyone knowing. You need to call CPS.
    I'm so sorry you went through that.
    imageimage
  • I'm glad you'll call. Please don't change your mind.


    image image
  • If CPS doesn't think they need to be removed/be investigated, they won't waste your time. That is not up to you anymore. It's up to them.

    Harry Styles = Life Ruiner

    image

    There’s a lightning in your eyes I can't deny
    Then there’s me inside a sinking boat running out of time
    Without you I'll never make it out alive
    But I know, yes, I know we’ll be alright
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    J. 1.14.13 my reason for breathing 
  • Very glad you're calling. If it makes you feel better, removal is not usually the first line of defense. They'll investigate first and figure out the best course of action.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    image          image


  •    
    Mags748 said:
    Ugh, I literally feel sick to my stomach now. There is still a part of me that wants to believe I don't know the whole story and am just reading too much into it. 

    My friend can be pretty oblivious to things (like having no clue or worries about car seat safety as mentioned above), so part of me is thinking that could be the case with this. Being her friend, I would like to talk to her first to see if she reacts and then call CPS if/when she doesn't. I do understand where everyone is coming from saying go straight to CPS but I would like to avoid that if she will take me seriously and do the right thing. 
    No, I'm sorry, but your friend is incapable of doing an assessment on her children to determine whether or not they have been exposed to sexual abuse. Not only that, she's incapable of separating appropriate from inappropriate behaviour. She needs education and help just as much. 

    You need to keep these children safe. I'm sorry the burden is on you now but that's the way it is, and you're an adult and can do something. It's your job. Being a grown up is hard and uncomfortable and sad sometimes. This is going to be one of the hardest calls you ever make but you're going to have to do it. You cannot go on letting those children be abused/abuse one another. 

    I know you want to think that this is just a case of her being clueless or them being a different sort of family, but many of the people in this thread telling you how serious it is are a combination of professionals who sadly deal with this on a regular basis and adults who were abused themselves as children. You must listen to our words, they are coming from knowledge and experience. This is a 5 alarm situation. This is happening and it's real. You are going to lose them as friends, yes. Their family will be busy in therapy and healing for a while to come anyways. 
    This.  All of this.  Please call CPS.
  • I'm glad you're going to call and I'm sorry you're in this situation. Being an adult sucks.

    Harry Styles = Life Ruiner

    image

    There’s a lightning in your eyes I can't deny
    Then there’s me inside a sinking boat running out of time
    Without you I'll never make it out alive
    But I know, yes, I know we’ll be alright
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    J. 1.14.13 my reason for breathing 
  • The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • If you're wrong, then so be it. Atleast you will have done the right thing. I know which scenario I would rather live with.

    As for upsetting your friend, if I were in your shoes I would be breaking contact with the family all together anyway. I wouldn't leave anything to chance. Not when it comes to protecting my child.





    Pregnancy Ticker
  • kgopel said:

    As a teacher for many years, I can say that I have never met a "sensual" 6 year old or heard of a parent that believes their young child might be. The use of that word, alone, to describe a young child is way inappropriate.

    This. The way the mom brushed it off is super uppercase CREEPY. Maybe it's just something the boy observed his dad doing to his mom (and not something "abuse" related), but the fact that he hasn't been taught boundaries and is allowed to touch his sister in that manner is putting both children at risk.

    Call CPS and keep your kids away/under strict supervision from this boy.

    image
    image

  • What a horrible situation.  I have no personal or professional background in child abuse, but this just screams it to me.  Even if the kid was just humping people and objects because he thought it was funny, it shouldn't get dismissed as okay because he is a boy.  I hope they get the help they need quickly.


    imageimage
    2 years, 2 surgeries, 2 clomid fails, 2 IUIs, 1 loss, IVF #1 - 10/25/10 = BFP!, DS is now 3.5yrs!
    TTC #2 - 6/12 surgery #3, FET #1 & 1.2 = BFN, 12/2012 FET #2 = BFP! DD is 1.5 yrs!
    Surprise! 12/16/14 BFP, loss #2 12/31/14

    I can't wait for the "im getting a divorce" post in 5 years or so because your husbands were fed up with your disgusting chair asses from playing on the knot all day and getting fired 4-5 times for not doing any work. you guys are all winners!! ~ Laur929

  • edited June 2014
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • I'm so so sad for those kids :( And OP, I'm so sorry you were put in that situation. Please PM if you need to vent about it, I'm happy to offer support.

    I also wouldn't dump the friendship right away either. If there is abuse, the mom might be totally ignorant of the fact and might need your friendship when everything comes to light. However, I would hesitate to have playgroups until the little boy gets the help he needs. Hugs lady.
    Baby Birthday Ticker TickerBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    It takes a special amount of bitch to induce menstruation in another person. - LovelyRitaMeterMaid


    Rap Roller
  • hilalkhilalk member
    I mostly lurk but wanted to see if the OP called. Not yet... I hope you call soon, I have been thinking about those poor kids all day long.
  • @Mags748‌ Any updates?
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    image          image


This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"