Parenting Toddlers (1-3) Support Group
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So Marlow will be two in August, and we have always just changed in front of her. I mean, she follows me everywhere, and I couldn't leave her unattended, so after she was dressed for the day I would go get dressed for the day, and she would watch.
She also watches us in the washroom, but she is starting potty training so I figure that's needed so she knows what the deal is.
But I was wondering, at what age did you guys start worrying about modesty? We were out shopping and an old friend was at the store, she picked up Marlow, and Marlow grabbed her shirt, lifted it up and yelled 'boobs!' at the top of her lungs!
We don't make a big deal when we change. If she points and asks, we tell her what it is, matter of fact. But she is now starting to point out areas on complete strangers and I'm wondering if we should start dressing away from little eyes?
She also watches us in the washroom, but she is starting potty training so I figure that's needed so she knows what the deal is.
But I was wondering, at what age did you guys start worrying about modesty? We were out shopping and an old friend was at the store, she picked up Marlow, and Marlow grabbed her shirt, lifted it up and yelled 'boobs!' at the top of her lungs!
We don't make a big deal when we change. If she points and asks, we tell her what it is, matter of fact. But she is now starting to point out areas on complete strangers and I'm wondering if we should start dressing away from little eyes?
I did laugh out loud reading what Marlow did to your friend though.
Sure soon we'll have to stop but for right now I thOnk it's still ok
But when she starts saying penispenispenis in front of people they tend to laugh and then she thinks its encouragment. I tell people to hold thier giggles, but it doesn't always happen. To her, they are just another word. She has a large vocabulary and for her a word is just a word. And I don't want to tell her not to say it because I don't want the words to become bad for her.
She also likes to look down her own shirt and sigh and tell people that 'Marlow has no boobs...but oneday she will have Mommys boobs' lol
DH refuses to change in front of DD- he thinks its okay for kids to know what their adult bodies will look like, but he wants to leave the element of surprise for DD's wedding day as far as the opposite sex goes. I was taking baths with DD since she was a year old and I change in front of her if she walks into my bedroom. It all depends on what your family's beliefs are. My in-laws are used to changing in front of one another and are not ashamed to do so in front of friends. Embarrassingly enough, my parents were nudists and thought nudity was very natural so it doesn't phase me at all.
I don't think there is any avoiding the "boobies" or "penis" stage. It's gonna happen eventually and better to get it out of the way now. DD will walk up to any guy and automatically grab his "bits". She doesn't do it to women. She doesn't have any male dolls, but with the females she will pull off their clothes and look at their plastic underwear. Maybe if I go out and buy her a guy doll, that will curb her curiosity.
For my daughters first birthday a friend bought her a boy doll. We didn't think anything of it, opened the package, gave it to her and let her play with it. Eventually, about three months later, he took off it's clothes...and the doll was anatomically correct!
She points to his bits and asks what they are, so I tell her that's the baby boys penis, then we get the doll dressed again.
About four months later, so at about 17 or 18 months, we are out with my grandma, her great grandma, who is very very proper and Marlow brought her doll. My Grandma says 'what a nice baby' and Marlow says 'My baby has a penis....see?' as she whips down the dolls pants. My Grandmas face went so red and she rushed off to the washroom!
Don't know what happened to that doll, she carried it everywhere....I wonder if some other toddler found a doll that was fully equipped out somewhere?
I have a close friend who's parents are into nudity. They used to just change where ever and it embarassed her so much that she never had friends over. And she was always shy about her own nudity.
I don't want to flaunt it til she get's overwhelmed, but I don't want her to think that streaking is acceptable because mommy doesn't wear clothes lol. Her daddy doesn't change in front of her much anymore because she asked him 'what's that?' then proceeded to punch him as hard as her little fist could go. When he hunched over to ease the pain she laughed hysterically and tried again! We have since explained you don't hit boys there, but he's a little gun shy about it now. :)
My husband doesn't nap anymore in the living room for similar reasons, haha.
Maybe a boy doll is not a good idea!