almost five year old girl just discovered her 'bits'!

[poppyboo]

Yesterday, outside school, my little girl pinched herself a couple of times and i asked her did she need to go to the toilet and she said 'no, its my favourite thing to do, i like it' and I said 'OK don't do it at school or at other peoples houses, just do it at home' (It retrospect I should have said ' do it in your own room') Was this the right response? I know its not sexual at this age, I was just taken by surprise!

I think you did fine. She needs to know that it does feel nice, but that it is a private thing, so she should try not to do it in front of other people.

I must say, it is a bit hard to get the balance between the message that it's normal and great but private (not shameful). When my boys are fiddling, I do remind them it's private, but try to be lighthearted and not go on about it...