Well, perhaps it could be taken into consideration by the site admins to create a part of the board that's only accessible by registered members when it comes to talking about personal things of our kids?
Well, perhaps it could be taken into consideration by the site admins to create a part of the board that's only accessible by registered members when it comes to talking about personal things of our kids?
Not good enough. There is no need to specifically discuss your child's personal sexual experiences on the internet. If you think there's a real problem, talk to a professional irl or research the issues using books, internet-published journals, etc.
I just choose to respectfully disagree with you mamajama.
I have read and understand your viewpoint, but I do not think the discussion that we are having here is in any way harmful to any of our children, and it can be a real relief for a parent to hear from other parents in similar situations that what they are going through is normal. It's also really helpful to hear how others have chosen to deal with the issue. I don't have any friends IRL who have children my daughter's age right now, so I come to mothering for that. I respect your opinion and your right to choose what you discuss online, and I think that I have the right to make my own choice on the subject. I disagree that it is in any way unsafe or unethical for us to do so.
I just choose to respectfully disagree with you mamajama. I read and understand your viewpoint, but I do not think the discussion that we are having here is in any way harmful to any of our children, and it can be a real relief for a parent to hear from other parents in similar situations that what they are going through is normal. It's also really helpful to hear how others have chosen to deal with the issue. I don't have any friends IRL who have children my daughter's age right now, so I come to mothering for that. I respect your opinion and your right to choose what you discuss online, and I think that I have the right to make my own choice on the subject.
IMO, your daughter should have that choice as well. Since we're all making choices and stuff.
I make a LOT of choices for my daughter. She is 3.
Also, I would have no problem discussing this stuff IRL, or telling her that I am discussing it. I think it is a totally innocent subject matter, and if others choose to read it differently then that's just not my responsibility.
No, we most certainly are not on the same page. But I don't think that is going to be possible, so I'm going to stop trying.
The actions described and discussed in this thread are innocent and normal behaviors of toddlers. If that makes you feel uncomfortable or dirty in any way (implied by your need to take a shower after reading it) then that is on you. I'm not going to take responsibility for your reaction. I'm also not going to engage further in this discussion, as I can see it's going nowhere.
OP, I hope that you have received enough good advice and help from the other mamas who have had similar experiences. Sorry your thread was derailed like this.
mamajama, your posts are beyond offensive.
OP, it sounds normal to me. Sorry someone came along to try to shame you for posting your question. I had a kid who did that, and I agree that a young 2 year old might not understand the boundaries you'd want to set. It's an awkward phase, but it passes :)
Nevermind.
After reading the whole thread, Ive decided that I agree with mamajama.
I don't think Mamajama is being offensive at all, I think she's spot-on. At what age will you stop posting about your child's personal sexual experiences on the internet? When they are 11? 16? 21? It's really a horrible invasion of their privacy...especially to describe it in such detail. How would you like it if someone did that to you?
I'm going to step in here and remind everyone of our user agreement.
Not good enough. There is no need to specifically discuss your child's personal sexual experiences on the internet. If you think there's a real problem, talk to a professional irl or research the issues using books, internet-published journals, etc.
Mamajama, parents need to talk to other parents about their kids. That's normal. Parents connect with each other via message boards. I don't think the threat of a**hole pedophiles should even come into the conversation. If we are talking pictures, that's a different story. I don't think the OP was out of line at all. Some things are best not shared online, and as kids get older we need to be increasingly respectful of their autonomy, but this is a COMMON concern for moms of toddlers, and it is okay to talk about it online.
It could be a yeast infection/thrush making him itchy (an imbalance in his glut flora) Treat it with some plain probiotic filled yoghurt, dabbed literally on the area. Kids do masturbate alot at that age though. They are discovering their bodied.They eventually develop a sense of privacy. You can let him know that that is something done in private., but dont get to worried about it, he is only 2 after all. At 4 i might do some redirection. I found my 7yo and 4yo figured out by that age that it was private on their own (i may have told them once or twice)
Yogurt doesn't really help with long term genital flora colonization, unfortunately. Yogurt is likely to be cooling and refreshing (and messy!) if he is itchy, but is unlikely to solve any sort of flora imbalance.
Yogurt doesn't really help with long term genital flora colonization, unfortunately. Yogurt is likely to be cooling and refreshing (and messy!) if he is itchy, but is unlikely to solve any sort of flora imbalance.
Eating yoghurt helps with flora imbalance in general and impacts the genitals In fact, a baby inherits his/her gut flora by passing through the genital tract at birth. In any case, applying it topically can certainly counteract thrush, ive used it on myself in such situations, and on my nipples when nursing a newborn. My son benefited only two days ago from the same thing. So its worth a try. Im not saying a mere smudge is going to change the long term genital flora though....eating it just might
I'm going to step in here and remind everyone of our user agreement.
Thank you ICM for stepping in. The user agreement link is http://www.mothering.com/community/a/user-agreement. Let's please try to keep converstations civil and relatively on topic as per the UA.
As always you may flag a post that you are uncomfortable with or PM one of the forum mod's directly. Thank you for your cooperation :)
Quote:
Here's my question:
While I'm rejecting the idea of circumcising.... is it possible that all this masturbating could cause paraphimosis?
Hi,
It's 2:30 am and I've been reading threads trying to find an answer.
Interesting reading and great website, so I decided to join.
My son is 2.2 yrs, uncircumcised & has started "masturbating" in the past 2 weeks.
I read a thread here that didn't like the term "masturbating", but in this case there's no other word for it. He will lay on the floor on his front and vigorously hump the floor. He sweats and turns flushed, moans and lets out a sigh every now and then.
I am not a prude and don't have issues with his masturbation. It startled me because I wasn't expecting it at such a young age. He's verbal, but there's no way we can explain to him that he should go to his room. He just wouldn't understand, as we don't let him play in his room alone yet anyway. He does play in the living room sometimes while we are in the kitchen/bathroom....etc.. He's doing it in front of family, friends, he doesn't care he's a baby really. We try to distract him with toys and activities to overcome the social faux pas.... but whatchagonnado really?
He's not potty trained yet. He hasn't even begun to show any signs of retracting his foreskin. He had one infection (balinitis) 6 months ago (he got bathtub crayons as a present and I didn't realize they could cause an infection). While being seen by the Dr. for the infection, it was pointed out to us that he has a small praeputial sphincter. Two doctor's looked at it and recommended circumcision.
Here's my question:
While I'm rejecting the idea of circumcising.... is it possible that all this masturbating could cause paraphimosis?
I wouldn't worry about the masturbation. A lot of rubbing might cause light irritation but not phimosis.
Do visit the Case Against Circumcision forum. I find the doctors' opinions highly suspect, and would definitely leave it alone if it is not causing real immediate physical problems. It's not the cause of the infection but an offhand observation. He's urinating okay? I guess paraphimosis means "almost" phimosis that they can imagine in the possible future--and phimosis is already excessively diagnosed. I can't imagine any reason to go through such a trauma now. If this were to become something later (I highly doubt it would) then that would be the better time to address it.
Your instinct is right, and I'm sure it's fine to let his masturbation be and let him keep his parts as well.
melissaof2 - welcome to Mothering. 
I'm sorry your question received such criticism. I think they are things expressed out of genuine concern for your child but you certainly can discuss a topic of this nature without violating anyone's privacy.
Your post is a week old but I'm hoping you are still reading. I'd like to suggest that you visit our Ask the Experts forum, if you are still concerned about this. You can post your question there in a more general manner to find out what would be considered "excessive" or something of concern regarding a 2 year old child masturbating.
All the best to you and your son. 
A 2 year old "masturbating" is far from a "sexual experience". Children at this age have zero concept of anything sexual. I've asked this question from a few males in my family already and they all laugh at how seriously women take this. Boys get erections from many things which stimulate the nerves in the area, this could even include a full bladder. It has absolutely nothing to do with seeing something, feelings, thoughts, etc. ALLL boys do this, if anyone is surprised by it or thinks it's not normal, ask a medical professional. Like someone else said, treat it like nose picking but certainly not anything sexual.
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