Hypothetically..What would you do?

[Leeny]

If you were made aware by someone that your young child made a comment about their friends private bits, that sounds like a sexual comment, but could also be a joke or possibly a mix up on words (though, not really a comment that a 3yo just randomly plucks out of thin air..), what would you do?

[sockstealingpoltergeist]

I'd probably have to know the comment first. It's really hard to say otherwise.

Sorry can't be of more help.

[misskittyfantastico]

I'd have to agree with SSP, I'd need the comment...DD says some fairly "inappropriate" things.

[Shakey]

I'd probably have to know the comment first. It's really hard to say otherwise.

Sorry can't be of more help.

same here

without knowing what kind of comment, and who the actual comment was about, and what ages were involved, I can't really say what I would do :no:

[Leeny]

I can't remember the exact wording.. I think dd's friend said that dd said a penis is a hotdog, and that she could eat it?.. Can't remember the exact way it was put.. Both children being 3yo.

[sockstealingpoltergeist]

That's a hard one:confused:.

They can say some pretty silly things, were they naked??? Maybe it really reminded her of a hot dog?

If she has said some other stuff, out of context then I'd probably be concerned. Maybe you could talk to her about the body parts who has what and how no one is allowed to touch hers and no one should be asking her to touch theirs etc etc and if they do she needs to tell mum or something along those lines. Keep it casual, see if she says anything, then maybe ask her why she thinks it looks like a hot dog???

I know at three it's very hard and children forget quickly and get mixed up.

I hope it is sorted out quickly for you.

[Leeny]

Well... Shes an extremely imaginative kid... I don't think they were naked at the time, but they've bathed together etc. She's bathed with other boys, never touched another kid. I've asked her about it.. She said she hasn't touched the other boy, or anyone else on their "private bits"... She understands that her private bits are for her to touch only, and she doesn't touch anyone elses.. She knows she needs to tell us right away if anyone asks her to touch them, or they touch her etc..

She didn't seem to recall anything about calling it a hotdog, and she's pretty sharp when it comes to remembering things.

As I said.. Shes a very imaginative kid, but shes never done anything like that before, and she's never made a comment like that before... I guess I'll ask her about it again tomorrow.. See if she says anything else about it..

[bAaM]

I wouldnt worry about it hun, she obviously thinks Hotdogs look alot like a penis, just as long as she doesnt TRY and eat it. There still learing so much about what is what at that age.

My DS used to come out with some of the funniest names for a penis and vagina.

That is just there personality and imagination coming out.

[Leeny]

Well she said she hasn't touched it, or anyone else.. She's never tried to touch another boy in the bath.. She's never had an interest in boy bits at all.. Has never been phased by them being different, or even curious.. She did however come clean about poking him on the knee :laughing:

I hope it was just her imagination if she has in fact come out with a comment like that

[codswallop]

i wouldnt be concerened some one may have mentioned little boys (mini hotdog franks) around the same moment that said little boys was holding on to him self and some one else asked him if he need to do a pee
and wola the two things become one!:laughing:

[bAaM]

you also have to remember that even though she knows what privet parts are she would also only see them as any other body part.

like as in knee is just as much body as Penis ( bad explanation but its as good as i can think of half asleep)

At that age its not looked upon as a sexual organ just another body part.

[Leeny]

Hmm I know what you mean, but she is a pretty cluey kid, and I'm pretty sure she understand that whats under her knickers is private.. No one can touch it but her.. Of course she doesn't know they're sexual, but she knows that no one touches hers, she doesn't touch anyone elses.. Atleast I believe she does anyhow.

[Leeny]

Any other thoughts from the morning people?

[FiveInTheBed]

sounds very innocent to me!!

Us adults have dirty minds!!

...eg the whole phallic shaped train going into the tunnel!! (scene they often show in movies IYKWIM)...i kid would just think its a train going into a tunnel!!
Why my mum breaks off her banana and eats it bit by bit rather than shoving the whole thing in her mouth:laughing:

A penis does kinda look like a hot dog - isn't that why some people call them 'little boys' (frankfurts)??

...and you eat them!!

all sounds very innocent.

[Ana Gram]

Has she heard the term little boys for the cocktail frankfurters?

That would be my immediate thought.

[Leeny]

We do have dirty minds, don't we... I just more thought adults kind of associated hotdogs with a penis, not really little kids... Heres hoping!

ETA: And nope... No one around us calls them little boys, I don't know anyone that call them that.. They're cherrios or cocktail franks up here to most people I think.

[WorkingClassMum]

As a once off comment - I'd let it go

My DS heard my step-father once refer to another person having a cauliflower ear, and askedare we where having vegetable ears for dinner???

I honestly don't think there's anything to it. A child made an off the cuff comment that hasn't even registered with her. If she remembered the comment - then it was significant. If she repeats the comment or re-phrases it - then it's significant. As it is - I really wouldn't worry

[raisingthree]

My DS friend calls them a "tail". I think that kids just see what they are and then make up their own mind as to what they are.

I wouldn't be concerned to be quite honest. Kids are kids and the fact that she is telling people this means that she doesn't think its rude and or a "secret".

My children have said some pretty appropriate things i.e. my five year old told a complete stranger that she was fat. As embarrassed as I was I explained to DS that it was rude to say that to people and that it hurts peoples feelings.

Explaining that its not "naughty but its rude" is how I handle things.

[forbetoel]

Young children are inquisitive. that is normal. It is the adults who over sexualise things that young children say or do.

It might make us uncomfortable but it is normal.

Lucky it is a girl who said it, as I can just imagine the carry on if a little boy said something similar about a little girl. :rolleyes: For some reason little boys seem to carry much of societies hang ups on their little shoulders.

I wouldn't give it another thought.

[Leeny]

Thanks ladies.. I'll stop worrying about it.. No point dwelling on it.. I'll just keep an ear out, make sure its not said again.

[FiveInTheBed]

maybe if it is said again, you could explain that that is the little boys penis/doodle/willy (what ever term you use)...and it is his private parts that he uses to wee out of , just like she wees out of her private parts...and no its not for eating...food is for eating...we don't bite anyone elses body parts because it hurts...

???

good luck:D

[Leeny]

We've been over everything like that many times :yes:.. As I said, she just doesn't really touch other kids much at all.. Just the odd hug or biff here or there.