Is this normal? Showing each other 'privates'

[summermumma]

My DD who is 5 had a play date this week with a girl also 5. They play very well and had a great day. They did keep nipping to the toilet together which I thought nothing of. DD told me later that her friend asked to see her private parts and they both showed each other. She says nothing else happened and they just looked. She wasn't upset by this but she did say her friend told her to keep it a secret. I have explained to her that her private parts and hers and not to be looked at/touched etc by anyone and she must tell me if anyone ever does. My question is, is this normal inquisitive behaviour from 5 year olds or should I be making a bigger deal of this? Do I speak to other girls mum? Just want to make sure I get this right.

Pretty normal I'd say, at that age they are often fascinated by bums, willies, vaginas, anything toilet or genital related . Sometimes the fascination comes and goes at an earlier stage but 5 is still fairly normal I'd say. Usually totally innocent and nothing to worry about - showing one another, comparing sizes etc, they quite rightly don't realise there's anything wrong or weird in that! I think what you said to her is fine, I would discourage the secret keeping element but otherwise you don't want to scare her or make her think she's in trouble or otherwise she won't tell you things the next time!

Maybe you could tell the other mother just so she knows but if you do I'd do it in a 'haha they were looking at each others bits, 5 years olds eh? thought you might want to know just in case' kind of way rather than implying you think her DD is an abuse victim or anything alarming...

My sister used to do this when she was younger with one of her friends😭😂 this post has just reminded me, my mum used to go mad. In retrospect I imagine it’s totally normal, kids are super inquisitive. I dare say it’s not a huge deal but not something I’d want to encourage at the same time! It’s good that she told you though.