What do you call their "privates?"

Danielle - posted on 10/10/2011

I have two boys, and use the correct names for private parts. I want them growing up knowing it is okay to talk about "privates". I know a lot of moms that chose not to for fear of their children growing up to fast, but I feel if they always kinda know a penis is a penis and a vagina is a vagina, it is no big deal. I don't think we should be ashamed to use the proper names for body parts. I do try to teach my boys there are times it is inappropriate though. Also, what if your child is injured or was touched in their private areas? If a little girl is talking about how her "flower" was touched, someone may not know what she is talking about, and may not do anything about it. No mistaking if she uses the proper names. So, even my boys know that boys and girls are different. I don't overload them with the facts of life, but if they ask, I tell them. My 5 year old asked where babies come from and I answered it with the generic "when mommy and daddy love each other enough they get pregnant..." I will never lie or make up stuff when it comes to the facts of life with my children. I believe it is a lot more shocking and damaging when they start to learn things from friends at school or on their own. I rather them get their facts from a trusted source... mommy or daddy.

Kelly - posted on 10/08/2011

Oh, this is kind of funny. I taught J "breasts" for my breasts when he was an infant. We were doing that signing thing and I was supposed to show the sign, then point to the thing (I was breastfeeding). He had it for a while, and even started kind of saying "bes" when he would sign it. (Why I didn't think of using "Milk" I have no idea--we'll just blame mommybrain).

Apparently he forgot that because when he was about 3, we were cuddled up watching a movie and he shoved his arm down my shirt! I pulled it out and said "What are you doing?!" and he said, "I'm trying to get your monsters out."

Again, were blaming mommybrain because I had no idea what he was talking about. Then on several occasions after that, he referred to them as my "monsters". I kept correcting him, but the correction wouldn't stick b/c I let him say "monsters" so many times. So now, sometimes he still calls them monsters on accident :P AND my husband has picked it up too.

Kelly - posted on 10/08/2011

J was the first one to call his penis his "thing"
When he said "thing" the first time, referring to it, I corrected him and taught him penis (I think he was 2ish, sorry, it's been a long time) but for whatever reason, he just kept calling it his "thing" or his "boy thing" and I kept correcting it, until recently when I have to keep telling him to get his hand off of it.

My mom calls it "crotch" because she sews and the part of the pant that is around that part is called the "crotch" so I get it, but for some reason, the word "crotch" makes me cringe.

Corinne - posted on 10/07/2011

My kids are 3yrs and 5yrs, they both know the correct name for their bits and bobs, although my little boy uses willy most of the time. He upset an old lady last week by asking if she had a vagina like Mummy. *cringe*
My Aunt calls hers a flue, as in a chimney? Ya...

Bonnie - posted on 10/07/2011

Nope we just call them what they are.

Katherine - posted on 10/07/2011

Yeah Krista that's why I said if her daughter made it up, I can understand. I can't see a mom making that up lol. Well actually.....
At any rate I just think at that age they should be starting to learn the real names. Maybe she made it up when she was little, who knows.

Stifler's - posted on 10/06/2011

I agree i don't have an issue with commonly used names like wee wee, pee pee, doodle... dumb stuff like kiki, flower, wtf no one knows what you're talking about .

Stifler's - posted on 10/06/2011

Yeah i just use penis and vagina. I've never called it winkie or whatever.

Erin - posted on 10/06/2011

I use the proper names, although my daughter has shortened it to 'gina lol. I think as long as kids are told the correct terms, whatever they choose to call it is fine.

Krista - posted on 10/06/2011

In defense of that post, the OP DID later clarify that she did teach her daughter the proper name -- the daughter just prefers to call it a kiki. Which I guess is her prerogative, right?

I call my son's penis a penis. I call his testicles "balls", though, because I figure that it might be hard for a 2-year-old to pronounce "testicles". I'll tell him the real term when he's a bit older, though.

I don't have a huge issue with euphemisms IF they're commonly understood ones.

So if you want to call them privates, or a dink, or even a wee-wee, that's not a big deal to me. But some names are just WAY out there.

Teresa - posted on 10/06/2011

Oh... boobs are breasts, boobs, or boobies depending on the moment. Occasionally my son will still call them 'baboo' (what he used to call nursing), but that's pretty rare now.

Teresa - posted on 10/06/2011

Vagina and penis. Privates is also used... or 'it'.... like when I tell my son 'just pull it out and pee already' cuz he's usually standing there just barely starting to pull his pants down and jibber jabbering about some random thing. lol

Katherine - posted on 10/06/2011

Yeah, I guess if they came up with the names it's understandable. I use privates, sometimes the correct name. Definitely don't call it an anus though.

Nikki - posted on 10/06/2011

I use the correct names.

Donna - posted on 10/06/2011

yea we dont have any boys except my hubby. My girls are little so they have no clue what a penis is, hopefully it will stay that way till their 30 lol

Shannen - posted on 10/06/2011

Posted before I saw Kelly's response. We have the same issue in this house where both my boys, 3 and 1, keep their hand on it constantly. I normally say "get your hand off it" I don't think telling a child to "Get your hand off your penis" in public would be good. It would draw so much attention to the child.

Shannen - posted on 10/06/2011

Boobies for the chest (duh) Doodle for the penis and front bum for the vagina. I don't know why but the kids came up with the names and we have stuck with it. I'm sure they will learn the correct names in time but they are only young so I really don't care that they aren't called by their correct name.

Kelly - posted on 10/06/2011

J knows the word penis, and we use it sometimes, but more often we say his "boy thing" "crotch" or just "thing"

The reason is that lately he has developed a habit of putting his hand near or on it, and I would rather not call out "don't put your hand on your penis" in public. I usually say "get your hand off your thing." because when I say "move your hand," or "watch your hand" he moves the other one. So I have to be more specific :P

This started because he got hit there with a basket ball. I'm sure it'll pass, but it's really annoying me right now...

Firebird - posted on 10/06/2011

Vagina, penis, crotch. That's all "privates" are referred to in my house. Of course, no men/boys live here, so the word penis isn't used often.

Donna - posted on 10/06/2011

haha. my sister in law and her ex call their daughters a cooch but i think that is too sexual we just call them their privates. and the chest area is called boobies