Name: ^MAMA^
From: Etobicoke, Ontario, CAN
Number of Kids: 2
Kids Ages: 3.5 and 4.5
Problem: One afternoon the children were watching a movie...I snuck upstairs for a few minutes sanctuary on the internet:) When I came downstairs I caught my son with his pants down to his knees on the couch and a little girl that I care for touching him. I did not get angry but sent Jeremiah to his room to talk to him privately and asked the little girl to go to my bedroom. I spoke to them both separately saying that this is a private part of our body that no one is allowed to touch, only a mommy or daddy or doctor and you are allowed to tell anyone to stop if you don't feel comfortable. I think I was more embarrassed than anything because I had to tell the parent of the child I care for of this occurrence. Any helpful hints or what happened to you and what you did would be helpful... Please and Thank You!
Solution submitted by Skyvis of Sunnyvale, CA: I think playing doctor is a very normal behavior for children of that age group. You told them everything I have told in the past. I used to babysit a 4 yr. old girl. Her and my 4 yr. old son were caught playing doctor also...by me! I explained to them that no one should touch their private parts except them....and that they can say no if they do not want to! I also had to tell the mother. Luckily she was cool about it and laughed.
Little kids are curious about the body, especially someone else's which is different from their own. They do not think the things adults do about that kind of play. We see it differently and get embarrassed by it...where they have a very innocent motive in it:)
I believe you handled the situation perfectly. The kids know it is not appropriate to touch someone else's private parts yet also know that they did not do some thing horrid. Hope this helps. :-)
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