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Grandparenting

little boys

(36 Posts)
ninathenana Sun 29-Jul-12 15:27:33

DGS is now 3 1/2 and constantly "plays " with himself smile I know this is natural and common.
DD tells him several times a day that it's not nice. I have read that it's best to ignor it all together.
I don't remember having this problem with DS at this age. How have you dealt with this problem.

Faye Tue 21-Aug-12 11:44:02

nightowl smile

bikergran Mon 20-Aug-12 17:19:08

LOL LOL lol...oh dear lol

nightowl Mon 20-Aug-12 14:41:39

When DS was about 6 and DD about 3 they were in the bath together, DS showing off his willy 'look what I can do' (the mind boggles). DD looked most unimpressed and asked 'can you tie a knot in it?'

She obviously had the right idea from a young age grin

bikergran Mon 20-Aug-12 14:26:05

grandson who is now 6 (just) was forever sort of pulling his pants(undies) down and letting his bits hang over the top! (he was about 4 at this stage) at first yes we sort of laughed but then we all decided to ignore! (it was difficult sort or talking to him and making eye contact without glancing down) shock but we did igore him and he has now stoped! you could fair see him wanting! you to look! ...(hope this is not a flasher in the making lol) but he is fine now and goes behind chairs etc to get dressed undressed!

maxgran Mon 20-Aug-12 14:07:31

One of my Grandsons is 5 now. He was always playing with his 'willy' but I think he just stopped about a year ago.

Its no good telling a little boy 'Its not nice' - cos they think it IS ! Don't draw attention to it because that just makes it worse.

whenim64 Thu 02-Aug-12 15:56:37

At least they'll have wiped the hands on their trousers before they get to the bar and dip them in the free peanuts! hmm grin

Ella46 Thu 02-Aug-12 15:38:40

And they've obviously not washed their hands if they are still zipping up!

whenim64 Thu 02-Aug-12 13:08:22

Completely agree with you absent. I wonder if it's hardwired into their brains that they should leave the gents before they've finished zipping up their flies?

gillybob Thu 02-Aug-12 13:03:14

JessM my grandaughters use the term foo-foo too. Had a good giggle with them recently when we were watching The Aristocats, unfortunately the horse is called madam foo foo. My grandaughters both burst into hysterical laughter and kept pointing at their bits repeating madam foo foo, madam foo foo shock

absentgrana Thu 02-Aug-12 12:56:13

when Harmless, but extremely irritating. It's the same with men who wander out of the gents zipping up their flies. Women don't poke about in the bras rearranging their breasts or walk out of the ladies still pulling up their knickers (is that possible or would they fall over). hmm

whenim64 Thu 02-Aug-12 12:14:00

I've heard a few indecent exposers explain what triggered their behaviour, and many described a feeling of power when growing up amidst a background of neglect, humiliation and/or violence. Some have spoken about rejection by peers which they addressed by acting out to get attention. It's complex - some will never exhibit themselves in public, but do it in the home, others do it from a distance and run away, and yet others are confrontational and will escalate to physically harming someone.

Boys and men doing absent minded rearrangments and jiggling are harmless. It's a boy thing!

dorsetpennt Thu 02-Aug-12 11:43:50

They all do it - little boys and men - always checking their bits, even in public, maybe worried it's going to drop off or disappear. As someone on this thread said, ignore or distract but never say thats nasty or dirty. We don't want any phobias on growing up. I wonder if that is how flashers get started, by seeing someone's horrified expression when a small boy and they enjoyed it.

absentgrana Thu 02-Aug-12 11:37:15

Many years ago I was asked to baby sit a little girl and her boy cousin who was staying with the family. I popped them both in the bath in preparation for bedtime, when the little boy said he needed the loo. I lifted him out and he duly had a pee with his girl cousin watching with interest. As I lifted him back into the bath, she said, "That's a handy little gadget."

Nonu Thu 02-Aug-12 11:30:20

Oh Faye , aren"t they adorable smile .Don"t know about u but can"t stop laughing , not to their face of course

yogagran Wed 01-Aug-12 23:36:16

My DS was asking about the physical difference between his younger sister and himself one day when they were in the bath. After my explanation he said "she's the same as me then - just inside out" hmm

JessM Wed 01-Aug-12 17:35:00

My GD very interested in "bits" - possibly bathing with little brother is an influence.
Picture of a Titian nude in the Economist caught her eye.
Nana, why is that lady touching her foo-foo?
Another cue to continue my lecture on art and the classical ideal that was started in Sydey art gallery ... "She is hiding it, not touching it... boobies were not considered rude in art in olden times but other bits were.... etc etc etc

gracesmum Wed 01-Aug-12 17:01:43

Couldl have been talking about their cars wink

jeni Tue 31-Jul-12 22:05:38

I remember my DS and dd sitting on the step outside next doors window with their dd's while next doors mum was sitting sewing.obviously all of us had no nudity taboo!
Next doors dd ' my daddy's got a big one'
My DS' my daddy's is better!'
Next doors dd ' Js is only tiny'. j is my son
DS, very indignantly! ' it'll grow! I still think my daddy's is bigger'

At this point my neighbour decided to split this conversation up, before the children had tha fathers lined up with measuring tapes!

This was neighbours on the other side who are both now dead!

Faye Tue 31-Jul-12 21:45:28

Nonu it is amusing what little girls say about little boys. GD was in the room with her friend while I changed her cousin's nappy. She looked over at him and said with disdain. "Oh, look at him, he has a big belly button."

Littlenellie Tue 31-Jul-12 16:19:10

Yes I remember that greatnan and fortunately we where not subjected to that but did worry about the doctor being suspicious about a child's curiosity
Same as when E developed a urine infection when she first started school,she wasn't drinking enough during the day,and obviously this resulted in her being sore and her urine much stronger,but this GP sent us quite rightly for a scan and kidney checks but again I did feel worried in case anything untoward was suspected....a worry both times...it is natural for children to explore their bodies and I have either distracted,or when older said that it is perfectly ok to do so but in private is the best place.

Greatnan Tue 31-Jul-12 09:09:01

Nellie, the sad thing was that there was a group of professionals who didn't seem to realise that many children shove objects in their orifices and parents were charged with sexual abuse. Many children were taken from their homes, not even allowed a favourite teddy, and later adopted without their parents' consent.
I think children are sexual beings from birth - they just learn to hide it because adults won't face facts and make them feel guilty and dirty. Of course, they have to be taught not to masturbate in public, but it can be done gently.

Littlenellie Tue 31-Jul-12 08:44:28

Perhaps this thread should have been on the one entitled children's top toys [grin\
But it isn't only little boys,but little girls also,I had to take my DD to the doctors at the age of about 10 with a sore Minnie she had been investigating over zealously and needed some cream and a little " chat" ...when younger she used to pull fluff off anything woolly and could be found stroking herself withit....

gracesmum Mon 30-Jul-12 21:17:04

I often think it wold have been so much easier if nature hadn't made their arms quite as long - at least not until later!!! grin

Nonu Mon 30-Jul-12 18:37:44

I think one of the most amusing things I have ever heard is my DGD saying to her mum , he , whoever he , was has a hanging down bottom , she then remarked later to her mum , oh , all boys have hanging down bottoms . You really couldn"t make up .

Mishap Mon 30-Jul-12 18:11:17

Little boys eh?!
I think he should not be given the impression that it is "not nice" - the end of his arms just happen to finish up there and he has a jolly little thing there to get to know that we don't have - best ignored and a bit of distraction.

My SIL told his son that it was fine to do it "but we just don't do it in public" - I thought that was a very helpful response.

My GSs have very different responses to the big willy scenario - one says "Its' gone big again - I don't like it" and another is hugely proud of it "Hey - look at this!" - best to just go with the flow I think - it's all part of being a little boy.