My little sweetheart (almost 4yo son) has a bad habit, he is constantly putting his hand in his pants or grabbing himself over his pants. It seems like more of a nervous habit than anything else, but over the past few months he does it all the time! I've even had people ask him if he has to go potty, because that is what it looks like. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm sure he'll grow out of it (I hope!!!) but wanted to see if anyone has any advice! Thanks!
BTW, he has been fully potty trained over a year and has no problem holding pee or anything like that.
Thanks for the great responses! I was laughing out loud reading some of them!!! I will be consistent with the gentle reminding, and I'm sure soon enough it will get better! Thanks again!
OMG...typical boy...really don't stress it it though. They outgrow it....My 10 year old never did it...but my 6 year old always does...and I ask him what he's looking for...if it fell off..and he just laughs...My friend's son did it all the time too. He's in 2nd grade now and one day he just stopped. I'd prob touch mine too if I had one..lol
they do that when they are four, they do that when they are forty,
K. h.
give him something to hold, Get him a squishy ball from the Dollar Store, carry that and little matchbox cars in your purse and beanie babies in your purse
"Hands out of your pants - now."
That's how I responded while in public or in family rooms at home. I would remind him that those are his private areas and we are not supposed to touch and play with ourselves in public. And we all know how good it feels....so save it for the bathroom or bedroom. So my son became very adept at touching himself while his hand was in his pocket and the pocket material was long and thin enough.
He'll learn to control his hands in his pants with a your gentle and constant reminding. Their minds are just floating around pretending they're super heros in the air, while hands are on themselves. Just have to have a little reality check.
I agree you should give him something to hold and fondle. A squishy ball is a good idea – somewhat similar texture ;-). A worry stone or string of pleasantly-shaped beads might work. And then just keep reminding and redirecting him, every time you see him do the grab. It takes at least 2 weeks to break a habit, and if it's an unconscious and comforting one, possibly longer.
My 4 yo does that too. One day when I asked him "why do you keep grabbing yourself like that" he said, "mom, that's what little boys do". Can't argue with that! I wouldn't worry too much. He will stop when he realizes it's not something other people want to see. Until then, just remind him to do that (whether it's adjusting himself or whatever) when he's alone.
god Im glad I had 3 girls & no boys!
It really is an attached "security blanket", and it is common for boys to grab themselves, especially when anxious. Just keep reminding him of the boundaries and give him some other options of managing the anxiety.
mine does it...i don't know why - but i have noticed it can get worse when he is nervous....it doesn't happen when we are out in public so since we're at home, we just say, "Adan, don't touch it". and he remembers. it's a constant thing!
Some of them just do that. My younger son still sleeps with one hand on his soldier! He HAS grown out of touching it a lot during the day-still catch him doing it when he is chilling out and watching TV-a little Al Bundy!
