Talk

Flip

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

4 Year old embarassing Problem - HELP!

6 replies

twinsnikki · 13/04/2008 21:21

Hiya everyone,

This is an embarassing thing to post but I have no idea what to do or how to control my 4 year old daughters new issue...

She appears to have a fascination with her genitalia. She walks around constantly holding herself, as if she need to go to the toilet.

Initially I thought she had a medical issue, however, she doesn't. I have approached her about this, and she says she just likes the 'feeling'. Quotes 'It feels nice'.

I have explained to her that she can't walk around constantly holding herself, as it looks like she needs a pee all the time. But nothing makes any difference.

I am sure one of you parents out there has experienced this and can you give me some advice on how you handled this.

I am a mother of twin identical girls and only one is doing this so far, I need to have an action plan before I have two of them behaving this way...!

HELP!!

OP posts:

Report

ManxMum · 13/04/2008 21:34

make sure she has both hands occupied at all times and don't make an issue out of it.

Have you checked for urine/yeast infections?

She will grow out of it! Promise!!

Report

Twinkie1 · 13/04/2008 21:36

I think it is an age thing that they grow out of - I remember DD dong it - DS has his hands down his pants all the time at the moment - hopefully he will grow out of that too although his father hasn't!

Report

Toothache · 13/04/2008 21:39

My ds is nearly 7 and is forever fiddling with his tadger!!! Don't know how many times a day I utter the words "get your hands out of your boxers"! lol

Also, I remember doing this at the age of 5.... told my Mum it felt nice. Eventually she explained that it was ok to do that, but only in my own room when noone was there.... and not in front of old Auntie Jessie eating her rock cake. PMSL!

Report

chankins · 13/04/2008 21:40

My dd does this and she is four, xcept she rubs herself on the arm of the chair or edge of table !
I think I posted on here about it a while back when she first started doing it, and everyone said ignore, or tell her discreetly maybe to go in her room!
I don't say anything about it now, most of the time I don't notice her doing it.

Report

tkband3 · 13/04/2008 22:12

My DD1 had a dreadful habit of doing this...as soon as she was relaxed in front of the tv, she would lie on her tummy with her hands underneath her. DH was quite worried about it, although I was pretty sure it was quite a common phase. So I asked the other mums on the d'y ever multiples thread and was v. reassured by all the responses. I think pretty much all the girls of 4 or older had gone through a similar phase and some of the boys as well .

I didn't want to give her a complex about it, so I just told her that if she wanted to do it, she should go to her room, as it was something that should be done in private. A year or so later and she very rarely does it any more (in public, anyway...I'm sure she does it in bed ).

Report

twinsnikki · 13/04/2008 22:32

Dear all,

Thank you so much for your responses!

She does it everywhere, and it is v. reassuring to know you all have been through the same stages....

I didn't want to give her a complex about it, so maybe I need to use your advice and send her to her room or something - dreading the day the other twin starts this stage of discovery....

You are all fantastic..
Nic