Comments on: How To Handle Masturbation in Young Children http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-m.html Child and parent development by licensed psychologist, Dr. Heather. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:24:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dr. Heather http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-m.html/comment-page-1#comment-4296 Dr. Heather Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:18:56 +0000 http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-masturbation-in-young-children.html#comment-4296 Of course I can't comment on whether there's been anything inappropriate or abusive that's happened with your kids as I can't evaluate them -- that's a complicated clinical question. But in general, yes, children DO often like to goof around naked at this age. But I think having a rule such as this helps: "No touching naked bodies." It's simple and easy to understand. "Good touch" and "bad touch" for a 2 year old and speech-delayed 3-year old might be over their heads. Since this has happened in the crib 3 times, you might also rule out playing in the crib. It's probably a safety issue anyway. "Only 1 kid in the crib at a time." That -- and keeping a close eye on them when they are together -- will help you see if this is just a passing silly thing or if there's more to it. Of course I can’t comment on whether there’s been anything inappropriate or abusive that’s happened with your kids as I can’t evaluate them — that’s a complicated clinical question. But in general, yes, children DO often like to goof around naked at this age. But I think having a rule such as this helps: “No touching naked bodies.” It’s simple and easy to understand. “Good touch” and “bad touch” for a 2 year old and speech-delayed 3-year old might be over their heads.

Since this has happened in the crib 3 times, you might also rule out playing in the crib. It’s probably a safety issue anyway. “Only 1 kid in the crib at a time.” That — and keeping a close eye on them when they are together — will help you see if this is just a passing silly thing or if there’s more to it.

]]> By: Gayle http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-m.html/comment-page-1#comment-4295 Gayle Fri, 01 Apr 2011 06:06:59 +0000 http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-masturbation-in-young-children.html#comment-4295 Please help!!! For the third time I walked into my kids room 1 boy 3 years old and 1 girl 2 years old and they were both in my daughter's crib with diapers removed and my son was laying on top of my daughter. When I opened the door my son had his normal goofy expression as oppose to jumping because he thought he was doing something wrong. I don't think he has been harmed or fondled but one never really knows, like I told my husband there are crazy sick people walking around us all the time. I know for certain it isn't a learned behavior, something he has seen in person with us or on TV. I'm a Stay At Home Mom and when he's not in Pre-School they are with me all the time. My first instinct is to not worry too much about it because it's just a body exploration thing but I also have a daughter to protect. My son is speech delayed and will be tested for Autism next week so having a conversation can be challenging but several times today I discussed the difference between good touch and bad touch. Not sure how much he actually got. I initially found your site because I was looking for information on "smearing". I thought having to clean up from smearing was the worse thing I had ever experienced until this issue came up. I am at a total loss. Please help!!! For the third time I walked into my kids room 1 boy 3 years old and 1 girl 2 years old and they were both in my daughter’s crib with diapers removed and my son was laying on top of my daughter. When I opened the door my son had his normal goofy expression as oppose to jumping because he thought he was doing something wrong.

I don’t think he has been harmed or fondled but one never really knows, like I told my husband there are crazy sick people walking around us all the time. I know for certain it isn’t a learned behavior, something he has seen in person with us or on TV. I’m a Stay At Home Mom and when he’s not in Pre-School they are with me all the time.

My first instinct is to not worry too much about it because it’s just a body exploration thing but I also have a daughter to protect. My son is speech delayed and will be tested for Autism next week so having a conversation can be challenging but several times today I discussed the difference between good touch and bad touch. Not sure how much he actually got.

I initially found your site because I was looking for information on “smearing”. I thought having to clean up from smearing was the worse thing I had ever experienced until this issue came up. I am at a total loss.

]]> By: babyshrink.com » Blog Archive » Body Awareness in Preschoolers — One Mom’s Fears http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-m.html/comment-page-1#comment-3711 babyshrink.com » Blog Archive » Body Awareness in Preschoolers — One Mom’s Fears Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:50:11 +0000 http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-masturbation-in-young-children.html#comment-3711 [...] You might also want to check out another article of mine on the normal development of sexual sensati... I hope that helps. Let me know if you need more help. [...] [...] You might also want to check out another article of mine on the normal development of sexual sensati… I hope that helps. Let me know if you need more help. [...]

]]> By: A. Batiste http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-m.html/comment-page-1#comment-3258 A. Batiste Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:06:58 +0000 http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-masturbation-in-young-children.html#comment-3258 Reading this was a relief. My daughter (3)was doing the same thing and I was searching the net hoping for an answer. I was almost afraid I wouldn't find anything. This was a great help in how to handle masturbation in these very young years. Reading this was a relief. My daughter (3)was doing the same thing and I was searching the net hoping for an answer. I was almost afraid I wouldn’t find anything. This was a great help in how to handle masturbation in these very young years.

]]> By: babyshrink.com » Blog Archive » Dear BabyShrink: Is My Son Normal? http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-m.html/comment-page-1#comment-1212 babyshrink.com » Blog Archive » Dear BabyShrink: Is My Son Normal? Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:37:52 +0000 http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-masturbation-in-young-children.html#comment-1212 [...] course girls show the same interest in their bodies; check out this post. It also describes the limits of “normal”, and when to [...] [...] course girls show the same interest in their bodies; check out this post. It also describes the limits of “normal”, and when to [...]

]]> By: Yvie http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-m.html/comment-page-1#comment-420 Yvie Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:50:29 +0000 http://babyshrink.com/2008/06/how-to-handle-masturbation-in-young-children.html#comment-420 My little boy plays with his but in a manner where he laughs at it. Then he stops. So far I haven't seen any sign of masturbation but I am pretty sure that he is in the stage of exploration. This has been very helpful. Thanks for sharing this interesting entry. I might be asking a question here soon. My little boy plays with his but in a manner where he laughs at it. Then he stops. So far I haven’t seen any sign of masturbation but I am pretty sure that he is in the stage of exploration.

This has been very helpful. Thanks for sharing this interesting entry.

I might be asking a question here soon.

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