7 year old masturbating?

[Rainboe1]

My 7 year old son, has recently started rubbing himself down there quite a bit. I have asked him not to do it in front of people and to do it in bathroom. He shares a bedroom with his 3 year old sister until we move. I've walked in on him in the living room and he is also doing it in bed (luckily daughter asleep) . I have no idea what to do? He's rubbing quote hard down there and getting an erection. I assume it's not sexual at this age. I'm just at a lose what to do, how to stop him doing it inappropriately. any advice? Thanks.

Well your doing all the right things, you could try loose pants and I assume it is not sore. It is not unreasonable to ask him to do it in the bathroom, and wash hands afterwards, after all he wouldn't show his butt in front of people. You get certain sexual feelings at 7YO, and of course it is pleasurable, even if there is no sexual arousal. Children will often scratch their behind in public as well, so it is normal behaviour, and normal to tell them not to do it in public. You could try and get him to do something more constructive, such as a puzzle, or drawing book, so he is not preoccupied with parts of his body.