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Original poster

2 year old says "What's this?" - pointing to lady bits. What to say?

33 replies

notenoughlicorice · 06/10/2013 13:50

My 2 year old says "What's this?" - pointing to her lady bits.
I am not sure what to tell her.

I don't want her to grow up ashamed etc, though also want to be careful what words I try to teach her.

What are polite words she wouldn't get in trouble for using at school?
What words are considered acceptable for a young girl to use?

There is also a distinct possibiity that she will adopt the word I tell her, but in her own way (she calls her bottom 'bumbie' - which is cute though).

I realise that "fanjo" seems to be popular on Mumsnet but don't think I want her running about saying fanjo... (or is it commonwith littlies?)

Any tips from others who have been down this road?

What to say?

OP posts:
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sweetiepie1979 · 06/10/2013 13:53

My DD is 2 I say front bum and breasts. I know if I said vagina shed be trying to say it all the time and it's too much! Fanjo is rather vulgar I would never use it.

moldingsunbeams · 06/10/2013 13:53

This reply has been deleted

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5madthings · 06/10/2013 13:55

I have told my dd also two, it is her vulva but she also calls it her 'girly bits' bit she knows its a vuvla and I will tell her the correct names so she knows them.

What she chooses to call it is up to her but I think it's important she knows what it is called.

sweetiepie1979 · 06/10/2013 13:58

Vulva I'd a good one I hadn't thought of that I'll probably do that after front bum

BurberryQ · 06/10/2013 14:00

sorry but the terms 'front bottom' and 'lady bits' make me feel ill - what is wrong with vulva? or fanny?

DropYourSword · 06/10/2013 14:02

I also think front bottom is horrible!

valiumredhead · 06/10/2013 14:03

Private parts seems to cover it.

5madthings · 06/10/2013 14:05

Burberry dd uses both interchangably, she knows it's a vulva, I tell her that but she has fpru brothers and knows they have a willy but they also call them 'girls bits/boys bits or 'Winkle' for willy, its just words they have used/use but they know the correct names and use them as well which I think is important.

sweetiepie1979 · 06/10/2013 14:07

Yes I've never liked front bottom buy I have to admit I didn't know what to say. I'll use vulva from now on maybe fanny is crude though

plentyofsoap · 06/10/2013 14:09

My ds decided that it should be called a lady feather. I have no idea where this came from!

sweetiepie1979 · 06/10/2013 14:15

Lady feather is nice!

mummybare · 06/10/2013 14:22

We have decided to go with twinkle and winkle, as it seems fitting that genitals should comprise a matching set Grin

DD is only 17mo and only has the odd word but is doing a lot of pointing with a questioning look on her face.

The only trouble is that when anyone sings Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, she points at her bits Blush

We will, of course, tech her the proper names as she builds her vocabulary, but have decided to go with the more toddler-friendly words for now.

drawsofdrawers · 06/10/2013 14:32

Vulva.

Bearing in mind you shit out your arse I think front bottom is horrid.

birdybear · 06/10/2013 14:35

this topic comes up on average once a week! i mean, people, is it so hard? are you going to post every time your kid points to its knee or head or toe or any other part of the body and ask what should you call it?

dear me ...

drawsofdrawers · 06/10/2013 14:39

Was just thinking the same birdy. Also just thought OP has said 'lady bits' herself...

moldingsunbeams · 06/10/2013 14:40

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VinegarDrinker · 06/10/2013 14:42

Vulva. It's what it is.

moldingsunbeams · 06/10/2013 14:42

This reply has been deleted

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VinegarDrinker · 06/10/2013 14:43

My DS (2.5) also has a penis (with glans & foreskin), scrotum and perineum.

I don't see the point in twee euphemisms.

valiumredhead · 06/10/2013 14:53

I'm 43 and have never ever heard vulva used not even by doctors,MN is the only placeGrin

crochetcircle · 06/10/2013 15:03

Our dd (2.3 years old) calls hers her jina (vagina). Not as accurate as vulva but a more common name for it I think. She came home from nursery calling it her nonnie but I thought that was ridiculous so we called it a vagina.

I think the right answer is it's whatever you feel comfortable with. There's no right or wrong, just what works for you.

BillyBanter · 06/10/2013 15:17

Same, valium.

Jina is good, actually.

Is it ok if I say I got hurt on the bonce instead of saying the skull or even parietal bone? Can I say I've got a keeker instead of saying I have a circumorbital haematoma? (providing I'm in Scotland at the time)

I think it's worth telling children the real names for things but we nickname all sorts of things in our daily language so not sure what the problem is with nicknames for vulvas and penes. It won't lead to shame unless we behave as if it is shameful.

bouncingbelle · 06/10/2013 15:23

We grew up using 'front bottom' but my sister uses 'vajayjay' with her little girl (for now).

ZingWantsCake · 06/10/2013 15:39

having been involved in a recent thread you could

a, call it a vulva, which is a term to describe the external female genitalia that consists of the clitoris, labia major, labia minor & vagina (and urethra? am I forgetting something? )

b, call it whatever you want for now.the choices are: fanny, nuni, puni, girlie bits, girly parts, minnie, front bottom,betweens or tweens, foof etc.

when she is older introduce the term vulva.

c, let her call it whatever she wants.
a friend of mine used to call her vulva "little squirrel". why not?Smile

matana · 06/10/2013 17:59

Minnie