Names for genitals

Dianne - posted on 09/11/2012

I also don't use the correct names yet as my boys are 4 and almost 2. I will teach them the correct name later on but for now its winkie wonkers. We have not named the testicles yet as they take the whole package as winkie wonkers.

My daughter is 13 and she knows it is called a Vagina but we call it "Toekerdoo"

For some reason it just sounds so "grown up" to say Vagina and Penis to a child that I feel more comfortable to use the cutesy names instead.

I grew up with the cutesy names and we never changed it to the proper names - even today. So maybe I will never use the proper names with my children although they will know it.

Heather - posted on 09/10/2012

I always use the actual names. My husband doesn't and I've tried to not let it get to me because my son actually uses the real word. One day he was grabbing himself and asked me "mommy, what are these squishy things by my penis?" I told him they are testicles.... "Tentacles?" he replies.... "but I'm not an octopus!" It was really cute but he has since learned that they are TESTICLES, not TENTACLES!!!

Mallory - posted on 09/10/2012

Calling a penis a weiner or goober disgusts me. I can't believe people think the medical term for body parts is perverted over "weiner" which sounds the opposite to me. Although I taught him that he has testicles instead of "balls" or "nuts" we often have laughs over pronouncing them "test-tickles" ha ha.. And of course we'll always use the term foreskin over "elephant trunk" which is a term not allowed to be spoken in my home.

Bethany - posted on 09/07/2012

my son has picked up wooddle for his penis and nothing for his testicles yet, originally we started calling it his doodle, no idea why, but he knows its a penis cos when he sees daddys he calls it penis as for me its my mummy bits they teach him at daycare he has a penis but understands he wants to call it a wooddle and he often complains its sore or ouch when he gets a errection (strangely it seems to happen alot at day care, im thinking too mych stimulation) at home between me an his dad we call it his bubby chubby, i agree with the correct teminology and im trying but its easier to say leave ur wooddle alone than ur penis for me but each to their own!

Patricia - posted on 09/06/2012

I am so glad to hear how many mothers are teaching their children the correct way to name body parts. I want to do the same, because I think it'll be easier for my son to understand and respect those parts on himself. I will also be teaching him to never let someone touch him there and to tell me right away. Thank you Monica..."testies" is a great word to use instead of scrotum plus it'll be easier for my son to say when it is time.

Rasheen - posted on 08/28/2012

I have taught my son to use the correct terminology for boy party parts penis/testicles. What i was told by a teacher is they prefer boys use the word testicles especially when they are hit in them instead of them saying someone him them in their nuts. However, it is very funny to hear my son call them "Tesicles".

Jamie - posted on 08/26/2012

Weiner...yup, its cutesy. But you have to understand my family! I'd rather hear him at 22 months say weiner (since he enjoys repeating, IN PUBLIC!!) than running around saying penis! At least with weiner I can tell others he's referring to got dogs!!! :)) hee hee

Catherine - posted on 08/06/2012

We use anatomically correct labeling. It is the 'adults' who have the issue. Protect and educate your children by using the correct terminology.

Gabrielle - posted on 08/03/2012

my oldest sister calls her son's body parts by their actual names but i think as long as you call them something that you and other ppl wll know that they are their private parts is fine. I mean you wouldn't wanna call your daughters privates her purse because if someone was molesting her or something and she told someone that the person was touching her purse they wouldn't think anything of it but if you call them something like peepee or anything like that every1 would get that. if that makes any cents.

Amanda - posted on 08/01/2012

We have taught my 4 yr old the proper names for all his bits but he prefers to called his penis his wee wee and his testicles his little balls.

My 2 yr old has also been taught the proper words for her bits too but she has gone from calling her vagina, her rabbit to her girl wee wee (copying her brother)

I have also taught them that no-one is to touch them there and that they are to come and tell me straight away if someone does.

Stephanie - posted on 08/01/2012

In order to avoid embarrassing moments with our soon to be 6 year old daughter, we call my husband's scrotum his beans. She is aware of the proper name, but call them beans most of the times. It helps when we are out in public and she randomly starts asking questions. I think it is important to tell them the appropriate name. I just tell her that when we are out or others are around they are his beans.

COMIS - posted on 07/31/2012

Penis and Vagina. Though, I do call testicles "balls" and breasts "boobs." I say the correct name sometimes but think the shorter terms are easier to say. Testes is a good one though. May start using that one.

Monica - posted on 07/31/2012

My son is 2 and my daughter is 4. We refer to brothers parts as his "testies" short for testicals. For my daughter we call it her "private" but she knows the real name is vagina, and she knows her brother also has a penis. She knows the proper names, but i guess since i grew up calling them private parts i kind of passed that on to my daughter...i orignal plan was to always refer to them by their proper names. Now that i read the earlier post by Sarah, i really think i need to sit down with my daughter and explain again what the proper names are.

Joy - posted on 07/31/2012

I've taught my daughter (as did her daycare) the names of 'penis' and 'vagina.' Haven't gone into further detail. I agree with Sarah's post about child molesters. Its also less confusing in an interview with detectives or another authority about sexual molestation if a child says "He was touching my vagina" instead of "He was touching my muffin."

Sarah - posted on 07/30/2012

I grew up calling body parts their proper names. I strongly believe in it... I recently watched a documentary on child abuse/molestation. Apparently, child molesters are much more likely to feel uncomfortable and to stop if they hear a child say "Don't touch my penis or vagina!" I have gone over this with my daughter since she was 18 months old.... So if you need a really good, strong reason to teach your kids to call their private areas by the proper names... that's it!

Michelle - posted on 07/29/2012

I taught my 5 yr old the correct names for all body parts...penis/testicals, etc...i don't like the use of the "cutesy" names either. So he goes and spends time with his dad and is taught to call it a wiener ...lovely!

Melissa - posted on 07/28/2012

My son says he makes "wee wee", has a "pee pee", has a "ball sack", and a "booty" lol. I don't see anything wrong with teaching them either the politically correct way or slang as long as its easy to understand slang. Do whatever makes you comfortable. Ofcourse, I will teach him the proper names later on when he's older (only 4 now) and he will learn them in school anyways, but for now this works fine for me.

Lori - posted on 07/27/2012

I am having the same issue. I don't know what to call these body parts on my kids. My daughter just turned 3 and my son is 3 1/2 months. When washing my daughter I just say I am going to wash her "girly parts" and when she watches me changed her brothers diaper I may comment about his "boy parts". I don't feel the need to use correct names just yet. I think I may wait until they are a bit older before I use those. Knowing how to broach this subject would be nice.

Heather - posted on 07/26/2012

Penis and balls. And Vagina or girlie parts.

Jenni - posted on 07/26/2012

I use correct names; penis/testicles and vulva/vagina. I don't feel ashamed nor do I believe they should feel ashamed of their reproductive organs.



I don't see why I shouldn't call their genitals by their correct names. They are the same words their/my doctor uses and are the medically correct terms. In fact, it has been proven that using correct terms could aid them in stopping a sexual abuse situation. If they know the correct terms and tell an adult (like a teacher, for instance); the adult won't be confused by their terminology. I don't think common slang for genitals is all that bad, don't get me wrong; wee wee, pee pee, willy etc. because I think most adults would understand what they're referring to. I do think it's important for children to know the correct term for their body parts in addition to the slang.



My husband calls them "balls" too. That's just what a lot of men refer to them as. I'm not all that bothered by it, as long as my kids know the correct names as well.

Kristin - posted on 07/24/2012

I have taught the correct name to my son for all his body parts. Elbow, nose, penis, knee.... he knows what his body parts are called.
"Balls" seems a little harsh for a young one. It hasn't come up much, but I use the word "testicals" when we refer to them.