My son is curious and asks tons of questions. He gets into everything, inside and outside, he messes and sometimes gets destructive. All of this I have handled and disciplined accordingly. My question, the thing that baffles me about him is he sometimes gets naked for no reason. His hand is always down his pants. He seems to be fascinated with his genitals. Is this a phase? A habit? What can I do to get his to stop? Anyone else's son going through or have gone through this? Thanks in advance.
We (my hubby and I) took Tobey aside and talked to him about what was and wasnt "good boy" behavior. We explained that in public having his hands down his pants was not "good boy" behavior and that is he continued that we would take away toys and TV privileges. We have already had to enforce this. So, I am hoping that if we hold tight it will pay off. Wish us luck!
It's very normal. My 3 year old daughter does it all the time and I don't think it's a big deal. She also "grinds" herself on the strap of her carseat that goes between her legs. I don't even mention it but if she were to start touching herself in public, I would explain that her vagina is private and touching it should be done in private.
My son is 3 1/2 and he will occasionally get naked and he does play with it. I just tell him to stop or sometimes I just pull his hands out and we wash our hands together. He just learned to pee standing up so he loves to make the pee move back and forth. We did have a moment in walmart when he pulled his underwear and shorts down just far enough for it to stick out the top. I just tell him that it walmart isn't the place for things like that. He will grow out of it.
Our girls have spent the better part of childhood naked. I think it started with potty training! We haven't had to really deal with the 'hands down there' issue, but once I thought I was going to have to. I have heard a mom say something like this, "Sweety, it can make others uncomfortable for us to touch our bottoms (private parts) in front of them. If you are curious (etc) please go to the bathroom to investigate your private parts. Here in the living room we don't touch those places." I don't know if something like that would coincide with your values, but it might work.
It's a "phase" that never ends!
It's perfectly normal and healthy. The thing to do is to remind him that we call our private parts "private" for a reason and there is acceptable and unacceptable behavior in public. Try not to make too big a deal of it -- our bodies aren't bad, just private, you know?
He's probably just going through a phase. Children are little humans that are curious. The touching feels good and what he's touching is a part of his body. I would suggest to set ground rules on where he can touch himself (in his room maybe), remind him that he is the only person that can touch his private areas and how long such activity can go on. It's important to make sure this is not the only thing he does throughout the day. As for the clothes, maybe get him a special kind of underwear for him to put on when he feels the need to be "free". That way he knows that he doesn't always has to be constricted by clothing but he also can't run around naked. Good luck.
I hate to say this but, it's not a phase and you son has found a new toy!! I have a 2yr old so I ask a girlfriend of mine all the time about how boys behave because she has one the same age as mine, a 6yr old and a 8yr old-I consider her my boy expert!! lol She has told me stories of her oldest 'sword fighting' and 'look mom, I can make it stand up' comments!! Not what I wanted to hear either!! The wisdom she has passed on to me is at this age, teach him when and where is ok to touch it, and don't draw attention to him doing it unless it is in a place you don't want him to, like Walamrt while grocrey shopping!! hehe Sorry, trying to make light of the situation. My son goes through times of needing to have a hand down there or play with it during diaper changes. I've just started asking him when he is going to put the pee pee (when he is getting changed) in the potty when he does. Also, you have to remember, it feels good too when they play with it. They just don't know why it feels good!!
So don't fret too much over it, it's normal. Your son hasn't been molested or anything else obtrusive that I'm sure might be suggeted! Just either ignore him and see if the thrill stops or teach him when it is ok, like when he has to go to the bathroom, at home, etc.
Good luck!
S.
My daughter, who is 4 now, went through this stage also. I was nervous at first too thinking it wasn't normal but realized after reading many articles on the topic that it is. How I handled it was sitting her down and explaining that her pee pee was a private area and it was okay if she wanted to explore it but to do so in private like in her room. I didn't want her to feel bad about exploring this area as it is new to her and perfectly normal. I also explained to her that putting any other items in her peepee was not okay. Now she never does this like before and I doubt she even does it in private because she's never alone in her room so I think helping her feel comfortable with this stage helped both of us out.
Thanks for posting your concern because my 3 yr old does similar stuff. Always playing with "the boys". In the bathtub, I saw him launching toy ships off of a "baby woody" the other day -- I laughed hysterically while about having a heart attack at the same time. I am glad to read the other postings- boys will be boys. Gross. Hee hee.
Oh, goodness it is normal and i haven't heard of a boy not doing it yet. All three of my boys have acted that same way and I've not only read books but talked to other moms and they have experienced the same as me. My boys are 8,6 and almost 5 they get home from school or out from anywhere and they strip down to their at least underwear now but it used to be naked not long ago. I have the two younger ones that still have their hands down their pants (not sure why they seems to think it's going to fall off) but they check and it's still there. They out grow it my oldest at 8 doesn't put his hands down there so often and when they do I make them wash their hands so it's kind of broke them I think (no ones likes to wash their hands that much).
He's being normal, just guide him to when not to do such a thing with out making it a big deal. If you make this a big thing then it will be and he need not feel as if he's a freak or anything. I would just lean over and say to whatever child at the time "dear, lets not do that hear just at home please".
I wouldn't let others hear me because other kids can be really rude and it's not their place to say anything to him also other adults when I'm making the correction of his behavior. However, if he's alone with a sitter or close family just let them know how you are handling this situation and tell them you expect them to act in the same manner you do so not to make a big deal out of this.
Best of luck....oh yeah so guy never out grow it....lol
You're fine and he will be also.
As others were saying..this is pretty normal. But to help curb it, don't react so much to it....be calm, otherwise, the 'acts' will increase, if they haven't already. Just be calm in teaching him what's proper and what's not.
It's normal. Believe it or not it starts early. Due to the additives in food now, that we feed our kids, they are maturing faster. My son actually started around 2.5. The good thing is it will taper off and he will start to do it less. Something to curb this behavior, that worked for me is, to have him wash his hands everytime he does it. And believe me he will get tired of standing at the sink washing his hands. Hope this helps.:-)
