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3 year old DD touching self.

post #1 of 10
Thread Starter 
Just need some wisdom from some mamas that have been through this. My DD is learning how to use the potty. We said bye-bye to the diapers last week, and she's doing GREAT! Running to the potty to go, etc. However, it's easier at home if she goes pants free while she's learning. We have her in undies which she's able to pull down in time most of the time. The extra "access" though is a little disconcerting because she keeps putting her fingers on her private parts. I know that it's normal at this age. She's exploring her body, discovering her parts and how they work, etc. When she does this, I remind her gently that we don't touch our vulvas in front of other people, and she can do this in the bathtub or when she's alone. Will she just grow out of this? Anything else I can do or say that might help? Sorry if this is a weird question. I just feel kinda lost in this area because I grew up in a household that would have responded less gently, and with words that might induce a sense of shame, etc. I really really don't want her to feel badly about any parts of her body but don't know how to go about this while still instilling in her a sense of "we don't do that here." Just consistency? Am I on the right track? Anyone have any good book suggestions for this topic?
post #2 of 10
Thread Starter 
book suggestions I mean are on the topic of raising girls to have a healthy view of their bodies/sexuality. just thought it might help to clarify that. I know that what I do/say to her now about her body will probably stick with her for a while -- and I want to be sure I do it "right." Maybe I'm putting too much undue pressure on myself. ?
post #3 of 10
I don't really have any suggestions so I'll be watching this thread too. DD started humping the ground around a year (actually right during a family Christmas event!) and she still thinks it's HILARIOUS to touch herself (we also do a lot of diaper free time). We haven't really done anything about it yet...
post #4 of 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by raindaisie View Post
I remind her gently that we don't touch our vulvas in front of other people, and she can do this in the bathtub or when she's alone.
Perfect.

Quote:
Will she just grow out of this?
Nope. Or, do you mean will she grow out of doing it in front of other people? Yes, probably -- most kids get a sense of what's socially appropriate sooner or later. Just continue with the gentle reminders and be sure to give her a little alone time sometimes.
post #5 of 10
I've said the same thing to my kids. We can touch ourselves in private, but not around other people. I also use this conversation as an opportunity to talk about other people touching our privates or bodies in ways that aren't appropriate and what to do if anyone ever tries to do that.
post #6 of 10
Am I the only ones who get icked out by kids putting their hands in their diapers, or underwear? I'm not a huge germaphobe. (slightly, but not a flag waving germaphobe) But, I can't stand seeing that. Especially when they put their hands down the back of their pants.

I have a daycare full of toddlers and two year olds, and I do a lot of hand washing because it makes me crazy.
post #7 of 10
post #8 of 10


I wouldn't do a thing about it. I wouldn't even mention it to her. There's nothing wrong with it, it's perfectly normal and healthy, and I think it's a mistake to call attention to it, even in the gentlest way. For my kids, the novelty wore off within a few weeks of them giving up diapers, and it became less frequent. If they do it in public, when it's potentially an issue for people outside the family to be seeing it, I rely on distraction. I started talking with DD1 about privacy for masturbation, and about bodily privacy in general, around the time she turned five. By then, she was receptive to the idea of social appropriateness-- I approached it very informationally, like oh, by the way, you should know that most people think that's a private thing, and won't like it if you do it at school/in public/at Grandma's house/etc.

My other two are 3 1/2, and I haven't broached the topic yet.

I think that if we call attention to it, by insisting they do it in private, when they're still so young, and when they're still in the oppositional toddler years, we risk making it into an issue, when it wasn't an issue to begin with. Three year olds are often EAGER to get into power struggles about even the silliest things you want them to do or not do-- I didn't want to get involved in an argument, or constant niggling reminders, about something that really wasn't any of my business.a
post #9 of 10
DD has started doing this a lot. She'll put her hands down her pants and rest them on her butt cheeks-- NOT near her anus, so that's mostly just an issue of helping her remember not to do it in public. (I blame DH for this one, because he stands around the house all the time like that!)

But the vulva touching is trickier. I want her to feel really positive about her body, but I want her to get that you can't touch there for 15 minutes and then go around touching everything. So I'm trying to teach her to pick her moments, when she can then go wash her hands... without inflicting some idea that it's "dirty." Right now I'm going for how special it is and just pointing out that our vulvas have fluids we don't want to put on everything, and that there can be pee and even poo germs nearby. But all with another reminder of how great it is and it's okay to touch at home with no guests
post #10 of 10
sorry - didn't read this whole thread - but had to put in a plug for
From diapers to dating - don't remember the author - but a great read for how to talk about all things body-sexuality related

I actually won this book at a silent auction when dd was weeks old - I read it right away - but should read again now that she almost 7 years!
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