“My chuff hurts!”

[AwfulMum123]

I already know IABU but I don’t know what to do about it!

For reasons unknown, when my DD was born I started to use the term ‘chuff’ to refer to her front bottom. I guess I just thought it was a slightly funny word. However, now, to my horror (and - I’ll admit - slight amusement) she has started using it herself when talking about that area! “Mummy, my chuff hurts” etc. What do I do about this? A quick google of the word tells me it is considered vulgar slang and I don’t want her using it long term. It’s slightly amusing when a toddler says it but I feel that pretty soon it will start to seem a bit crude.

What word can I use instead? I don’t want to use the biological terms. Is chuff really that bad? Would you judge me/her for using it?!

Why is it hurting though?

Why don't you want to use the proper names for body parts?

...if it's embarrassment on your part, please try and get past that for your daughter's sake
www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/going-beyond-intelligence/201703/call-children-s-private-body-parts-what-they-are

Why not just use the biological terms? If not there's plenty of alternatives - my toddlers say willy for their own and they know that babies come from mummies 'gina' (they can't say vagina properly!)

I wouldn't judge you for using it no.
It's difficult to think of an appropiate word if you don't want to use the correct terminology.
I call it a ginny and my DD uses this herself.

@ohyesiam It hurts because she sits on the potty and pulls at the top of it to have a look! I guess as she’s still in nappies most of the time she doesn’t see that part of her anatomy that often and it fascinates her!

@smellmysmellbow I’m not sure why but calling it her vulva just seems so clinical and grown up.

Chuff's a bit of an odd one. I hate toddlers using vagina though!

I've always said vulva and foofoo, they know both words and understand one is the "proper" name.

I thought chuff was your anus.

Seriously "front bottom " if you absolutely can't bring yourself to use the actual word.
It's her body, she should know the word, though.

Chuff is the other end!

@AwfulMum123 if you're not sure why, please do read the link I sent, and plenty others available via NSPCC and NHS, Ofsted etc. They make for pretty compelling arguments why you ought to. If you still don't want to after looking into it, then fair do's. But I call my elbow an elbow, my ear an ear and don't need to give them nn, vulva shouldn't be any different. It's hard to shake off when we've been raised differently, but I do now know why after reading up on it, and believe it's important to shake off the shame and embarrassment we feel about talking about them/not pass that on another generation. It's safeguarding, too.

I used to call mine a ‘mini’ when I was little but I have taught DS all of the proper names and we use those in general now.

I thought a chuff was a fart

I say vagina/vulva. As a child said front bottom!

Ps I do massively internally wince when I say 'penis and vulva' to DS, but that's because I was raised in a prudish household, would have died before telling my mum about anything to do with my privates, and I'm determined not to pass it on!

5dd's here and I always called it their missy when they were little. Everyone seemed to understand what they meant and it was the least offensive and appropriate word I could think. Also easy for a toddler to say. When they were older I gradually introduced the correct words - they're all adults now and I'm quite sure that none of them now refers to their missy!!

We say 'bits'. - my kids do know medical terms but we still say bits. 'pull your nightie down we can all see your bits'. And we say Wonka not penis. -- Imho there is no massive benefit to using any specific word.

My dc manage having a tummy and a stomach, bumbum () and a bottom, so think they will cope with willy/foofoo and penis/vulva.

We go with willy/winky and snoo in this house.

Although I was mortified when I was drying my DD after her bath and she shrieked "no looking my snoo mummy!"

I've always used a range of words for different body parts - beak, bonce, mitts, tootsies, tummy, etc, so I don't actually have a problem with willies and minnies, either. It depends on the context.

'chuff' urgh. I think that sounds absolutely bloody ridiculous, but I've only heard it in the context of 'couldn't give a chuff', as in - couldn't give a shit.

Chuff is only closely followed by 'snoo' though.

It's so twee.

Spat out my drink. Hilarious

Chuff means silly bugger here.

I've only ever used the word chuff as part of the lovely winter's phrase 'oh it's colder than a penguin's chuff out there'

Teach her that it's called her vulva but let her keep referring to it as her chuff if she so pleases!

Also heard it called it a chuff quite a bit (maybe quite northern...)

Nothing wrong with chuff. Sounds quite innocent.

I have never heard ANYone in real life, call it their vulva. Never. Never ever. Not EVER.

Only on mumsnet.

If I heard someone say it in real life, I'd laugh at them to be honest, because it sounds ridiculous. Even if it IS the correct term!

@Teddybear45

I spat out my drink. Hilarious!

Also, it's only on mumsnet that people spit out their drink at something they find funny. Never known anyone do that in real life either!

@Wearywithteens

Funny how people get uppity about using the ‘correct words’ but then incorrectly say vagina instead of vulva...

I really cannot get upset by this. Who gives a shit, seriously?

Seriously, who CARES if someone calls it their vagina, instead of vulva!?! FGS!