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

[BabyEl]

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?

That's pretty funny

Embarrassment is like a ball, that bounces back and forth. I think knowing the names of vulva and anus are just fine. Take a deep breath and don’t throw the embarrassment ball around and call her normal human anatomy the right names so there’s be no confusion if she has an itch or some problem. Anyway the schoolyard joke “ I can see Uranus” isn’t far away so she might as well know..

OP you are ridiculous.

It is vulva and so many people only know it as that. Including my toddler. You're making a big deal out of nothing.

If my not even 2.5 yo can say Vulva, so can you OP. Honestly it's a bit pathetic.

Thinking about this, I have absolutely no memory of what word my parents taught me to use when I was a child. I definitely remember learning vulva and vagina for the first time in sex education at school, round about age 10.

I suspect they just avoided having to say anything. Different times perhaps (70s and 80s).

I know my brother had a willy, and that is what I have taught my son to say, though he also knows penis and uses both interchangeably. Fortunately I don’t have a daughter!

What is wrong with calling body parts what they are? Is it just because you don't like the words or what? vagina sounds alot better than fanny!!!

We say fairy and Willy, but they also know the proper terminology.

Patronising nonsense

Honestly you do sound like you're trying to chanel the WI stereotype. Vagina is not a "pretty" word. I've heard it all now 🤣

Maybe not in your circles but I certainly know people who do. We also have always used the words vulva and penis with our kids. They're the correct terms.

Exactly!

I hope this is sarcasm….

It will be vulva at nursery and school so if you don't want to confuse things go for that.

See, I’m pretty sure my Mum would have said “wipe yourself” and avoided naming it at all.

Sometimes they may be referring to their vagina depending on what’s happened. Don’t dismiss this

I would hope not! That would be incorrect. 💅

Vajayjay.

😂
I have never said, nor heard, vulva in real life.
Plenty of different words for it that still make it clear what's being referred to. I agree things like flower or button are ridiculous and too vague. Has to be crystal clear for safeguarding but also nothing wrong with being informal.
I'm not ashamed of the word and I wouldn't raise eyebrows if I heard it either. But I don't say 'penis' either or 'phalanges' for my fingers etc.

I didn't know what a vulva was (this is my first time saying it) until I read about it on mumsnet

My mum would not use an actual word, just mouth something incomprehensible In the style of Les Dawson 😂.
I managed.

Why on earth not?

I tell you now, if I heard you say “Wipe your nunny” I’d judge, big time and feel very sorry for your daughter.

Nunny?! FFS. Sounds like something you’d expect from someone really uneducated I’m afraid.

Fairy?! You actually say that with a straight face?
I despair.

Did you not go to school?!

Honestly, the bigger risk is growing up without a word at all (which I did-only a vague sense that it was not to be talked about).

If you’re not comfortable with vulva, op, you won’t say it. Find something you can say so that your daughter can say it too.