Is it ok to use 'fanny' to describe girls bits to my toddler?

[Vindaloo]

My DD is 2 and a half months and I was chatting to a friend about what words to use to describe boys and girls bits??

A friend uses 'nunu' for girls. For some bizaare reason I have started to say 'bits and pieces'!! thats sooo wrong, any suggestions or do you just say fanny??

Crikey. I haven't laughed so much for weeks.

Gillian, I think I might go for vagina if it wasn't such a hated/shocking/taboo word. It's not that I think it is, it's just obvious that so many people find it difficult.

www the distinction could be very useful
I try to say 'vulva' but it hasn't really sunk in yet with DD. But when she tells me her 'bottom' hurts I then have to go through a process of establishing which bit - inside, outside, back or front. If they had their own proper names, this would help. Afdmittedly I haven't taught her 'vagina', though I will, probably not until she asks me if the hole where babies come out has a name.

I don't think it is shocking - I just think it sounds a horrible word.

When dd says her bottom hurts we go into the toilet and I ask her to show me.

Grrr! It's not an "it". It's a "them"!!!

The whole embrassment and using ridiculous words to refer vaguely to the whole area is what makes biology teachers' lives so difficult. Three holes - distinguish between them!

So many words to choose from? I think its still 'bits and pieces' for me for DD unless she has her own suggestions........

Gordon Bennett!

I know, I know!! i need to do better than that!

Name by function, and then real names when she is older. Don't make it something to be coy about!

well, mainly a three year old would really only need to talk about her vulva. e.g.don't forget to wipe your vulva.
so, e.g. if dd1 says my bottom hurts, I say do you mean your vulva.
she knows that the part where babies come out is called a vagina but really has no need to talk about so far.

My son was interested to know where his sister's wee came out as she didn't have a penis. So it has come up! I haven't used the word vagina yet as he has inherited a didactic streak and would waste no time in imparting this information to other children, whose parents are already concerned at his use of the word penis. But that's because he hasn't asked what it's called. When he does, I'll tell him.

oh I see. yes, dd1 once remarked that her wee came out of her vagina and I said no, it didn't but it does - in fact - come out of her vulva and that is where she has to wipe.
Why would other parents be concerned about the use of the word penis?

God knows.

I have been informed that it isn't "nice" and they don't want their little boys saying it. And then it's all "and what will you do when dd asks about her bits, Ha Ha?"

So I tell them, and they look at me like I'm encouraging them to use foul language.

I bet they say nunu!

We're quite outspoken as a family, so from a very early age, I have tried to teach my children the concept of "appropriateness" As, for example, my dd knowa she has a vulva, a vagina, a urethra and an anus, but she also - I hope -knows that there are circumstances where it's more courteous and sensitive to say 'bottom" My MIL, for one, would be upset and/or offended by the "correct" words, so we don't use them in front of her. The same goes for swear words, and also for some opinions which are best kept for home. I STILL wish there was a willie-equivalent, though. How about quim?

curlew I think quim is a great word but v def a bit rude I think...
at penis being rude.
saints preserve us

HC!!! How the devil are you?

Fancy seeing you on this thread

I know
I came along late but I am making up for it
I am on a mission to educate and inform

Gimme a V!
Gimme a U!
Gimme a LVA!!!!

VUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU - ULVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have boys, but I've never heard of a minni! My friends daughters usually all have a 'flower' or a 'fairy'.

i don't like fanny , sounds very common!

My boys have a pinkle, or a pinkie. They say to me that 'your pinkle is hiding 'isn't it mummy'!

My 6 yo today mentioned something about his 'faggots'!

Funny - for me, fanny sounds much ruder that quim. Not sure I'd like to hear a 3 year old using either though, but I realize that that's my middle class prudery rearing its ugly head again.

And at what age is it OK for children to drop the euphemisms? Or do people take winkie and front bottom into adult life? I would love to be a fly on the ceiling of mumsnet bedrooms!!!!!!!!!!!

You have to wonder!

Have just had the best time catching up on the last two hours' posts
Time well spent though (some of it), discussing future terminology with dh, who is responsible for speaking English with dd in our house. Vulva and vagina it is. When she asks. Which knowing dd (2.8) is any day now.

Very happy ray-fee got sorted

well what a laugh i have had reading all the names,i had tears rolling down my face,thank you all,I know the americans call there bum a fanny,that makes me laugh as here is means the front bits,and when they say im going to sit on my fanny it makes me laugh,i mean try doing that here ha ha ..

How amusing, reading all these terms of vagina and penis. Why can't we just use the correct words? we obviously have a problem with our own language, must be the sniggering child in us!

By the way we use 'willy' for ds and 'dinkydoo'for dd

Thanks for the laugh though