Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to not want to call my daughter’s genitals her vagina?

571 replies

BabyEl · 22/09/2024 22:49

I know, I know, I know….we live in a enlightened age. I know it’s all the rage but vagina just doesn’t sit well with me.

my daughter has started to ask ‘what’s this’ pointing at her ‘bits’ and we need an answer soon!

i know all the arguments, I know “that’s what it’s called!” And “you call an arm an arm” etc but 1) that’s not what it’s called (technically that’s just the inner passage) and 2) when do people really use the word vagina?

do you say “my vagina is a bit sore today” or “oh yeah hubby, my vagina feels so good”

also vulva? No one says that anywhere.

do let’s put those arguments to bed.

secondly, “if you don’t use the real names and god forbid a crime occurs, the case could collapse due to incorrect name use”

I’ve seen this one a lot but I’m sceptical. Is our CPS so dull and dim witted that they will reject a child testimony because she failed to use medical grade terminology? I mean, maybe…? Is there any evidence of this happening?

anyway, I’d don’t like it. I don’t like front bottom, fanny or fufu either. I’m looking for something but not those and not the V word…

am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Wavescrashingonthebeach · 22/09/2024 22:57

BabyEl · 22/09/2024 22:56

What’s the girl version of Willy though?

when I was young it was Fanny, but that just sounds gross now.

Foof then I guess. Or just private parts.
Bum is same for everyone then there's girl private parts and boy private parts.

SouthLondonMum22 · 22/09/2024 22:56

We say penis and vagina/vulva. That's what they are.

Eventually, nicknames will happen as they get older I imagine but I think it's important for young children to learn and know the actual names, as it is for any other body part.

Namechangencncnc · 22/09/2024 22:56

My dd says vulva

Thewildthingsarewithme · 22/09/2024 22:56

we just used to say privates as children, it’s frustrating that there isn’t a female version of Willy that feels comfortable to say but everything knows what it means

CleopatrasBeautifulNose · 22/09/2024 22:56

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 22/09/2024 22:55

Front botty. Back botty.

Urgghh. This is the worst!

BabyEl · 22/09/2024 22:56

legalseagull · 22/09/2024 22:53

My son equally normally says Willy, but knows it's actually penis and he's only 5

What’s the girl version of Willy though?

when I was young it was Fanny, but that just sounds gross now.

OP posts:
Humdingerydoo · 22/09/2024 22:56

Sorry to disappoint, but I say vulva 🤷🏻‍♀️ my (young) kids do too, just like they say penis and testicles. Although admittedly they do struggle a lot with the word 'testicles', but that's because it's tricky to say when you're little!

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 22/09/2024 22:56

Or yes as pp said foof is an OK if slightly silly colloquial word. Still teach the medical terms but in every day use most people use slang.

CleopatrasBeautifulNose · 22/09/2024 22:55

We use foof for day to day needs, but my kids also know the proper terms too.

All good things should have nicknames. 😁

Beezknees · 22/09/2024 22:55

I used vagina and penis from the start with DS. Can't bear the silly names like "foofoo" and "willy" and what other words are there to use really? "Fanny"? Grim.

GreyCarpet · 22/09/2024 22:55

I used the correct terms with my daughter. Wasn't ever an issue. They're just words 🤷🏻‍♀️

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 22/09/2024 22:55

Front botty. Back botty.

BabyEl · 22/09/2024 22:54

Brindelz · 22/09/2024 22:50

It’s vulva, not vagina

See post

OP posts:
Wavescrashingonthebeach · 22/09/2024 22:54

Whats wrong with fanny? Tbh if you aren't happy with the 'medical' terms it's probably the closest colloquialism that's on par with 'willy'. I agree 'front bottom' is absolutely ridiculous. I've got boys and I haven't yet gone into detail with this with mine so far I've just said that girls have got different private parts.

TeenLifeMum · 22/09/2024 22:54

Dd1 has managed very well moving from foofoo as a little girl to vagina in biology class with no difficulty.

YouCantTunaFish · 22/09/2024 22:54

When they are taught this when they go to P1 (in Scotland) they are told it's called a vulva. Lots of girls then go home and tell their parents they have a Volvo. Doesn't answer your question but always makes me laugh

legalseagull · 22/09/2024 22:53

My son equally normally says Willy, but knows it's actually penis and he's only 5

legalseagull · 22/09/2024 22:53

Yes you are BU but I think a lot of people feel that way. I've always intermittently called referred to my daughter's parts as 'her bits' or her vulva or vagina. She knows the real names for her body parts. Shes six now and will say the same 'her bits' or vagina (but referring to the whole area)

TeenLifeMum · 22/09/2024 22:52

Brindelz · 22/09/2024 22:50

It’s vulva, not vagina

Yet nobody in real life says this and the op’s dd does have a vagina so it depends which bit she’s pointing at.

we say foof or foofoo and willy for pennis. Fairly standard in our area amongst dc friends.

SpryTurtle · 22/09/2024 22:51

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

Brindelz · 22/09/2024 22:50

It’s vulva, not vagina

Swipe left for the next trending thread