I have an 18 month old daughter who is getting interested in potty training and body parts. She sees me go potty during the day and is interested in my husband when he goes pee pee too (and his boy things). I just need some ideas on what to call the "parts" for a boy and girl...I am really not sure and have been skirting around what to call it with her.
I have boys and while they know what the proper name of their part is we call them their Tee Tee since that's what comes out of them. They know girls and boys have different kinds of Tee Tee's but they are all Tee Tee's. Or sometimes they call them their private parts.
It's super important to use proper vocabulary. The more euphamisms you throw at a kid, the more confused they are. Plus they need to be able to properly identify these parts if "something" were to happen.
I will pass on the advice our DR gave us on this topic. It is extremely important that all children know the correct terminology for body parts so that there is never a shadow of a doubt should the child say "so and so touched my ____". She advised us to teach our girls the proper name but also simply call them "girl parts" and "boy parts" for everyday conversation. She said girl parts is much easier for them to comprehend and remember and again, no confusion in what they mean if reporting an issue. Hope that helps. Have a Blessed Day :)
We use actual terminology.
Call them by the right names so that God forbid someone is molesting them you will know. I don't like how they sound, especially the girls body part, but that's what they are!
Their real names.
Lol. "Girl parts" and "Boy parts". That IS what we call them. :)
I read the other posts and I guess I am old fashioned. We just call them privite parts. I don't see the point in teaching a toddler to say their vagina itches or hurts or whatever (like from diaper rash or something).
I have a family member that tought their kids to say vagina and it is apauling to me. They go around saying it in mixed company like they are talking about a dog or a bunny... plus the vagina really is just a part of all that down there and its really not what they are refering to when the talk, usually its the urithra (like some other moms have stated).
I think no matter what you decide to call it, I think the most important thing is to teach them about modesty (not being shameful but modest) and what we talk about and don't talk about in mixed company.
We call it what it is...no baby names or slang names, its your choice what to do. I don't like to hear girls refer to their parts as "Tu Tu" or "Vajay Jay", I think that is ridiculous, but to each his own...
Hi J.,
In our house we have always said "your private". I have a boy and a girl and I got them use to saying your private or private area. My daughter knows my son has a "private area" that is different and all his own and my son knows his sissy has a "private" that is different and all her own.
We teach them to respect that how ever your family chooses to do so. We homeschool our children so it especially compliments us in other words in has not been threatened.
My daughter is 11 and we have been gradually talking about puberty for the last 2 yrs. and just this last week we talked extensively about her referring to it with Doctors and me (Mom) as vagina when needed. She learned that's what it is awhile back but she feels it is not necessary to change it unless she has to. She feels more comfortable still referring to it with as "my private". She actually feels the name "vagina" sounds gross. It kinda does to me too. I heard a 5 year old say my vagina recently and it just sounded "Odd" to me! I mean it was in context but it felt strange to hear such a "Big Word" like that from a little one. That's us. Taken out of context it is a "Strong" word and has been abused way too many times!!!
I will never regret how we chose to handle it and as a parent I think we have made the right choice.
I hope this helps and you find what works for your family.
A. in AZ
"Manhood." (Mun4ever below) LOL!
have three boys, and although they all know the correct terms for boy parts we call it a pee-pee, they know that girls parts are different but we still call it a pee-pee, after all you really don't pee from your vagina. As my kids have asked I've given them correct terminology about the girl parts, but at this point they don't really need things to be complicated, but when teaching we always use correct terms. but we also explain that they are private parts, and should be treated privately.
yes I'll never forget when my son loudly announced in the Target bathroom that he suddenly noticed that my pee-pee was different than his. LOL!
WE just say our privates.
When my son was little he called it his" digger or goober". My daughters 4 and we just say your" thang!"
I taught my kiddo proper terms when he was young. Now that he's a teenager he just says "my parts".
I know someone who uses the terms front butt and back butt for her daughters, and for her boys she uses wienie.
I'm amazed at how many moms are bothered by using proper terminology!
I think it is VERY important that you respond matter of factly and positively about sexual questions including the body parts to your child when they ask questions, or risk making them think sex is nasty or unusual behavior to be kept a secret.
I think kids should know the real names for body parts, but I don't think there's anything wrong with slang words for everyday use. When I was little, we called them peeper and pooper, for both boys and girls.
