Names for Private Parts

Sherri - posted on 08/09/2011

We call it pee pee, my friends daughter calls it a toot. I agree with you Jennifer the correct terminology just is to brash for us so we don't do it. They all know the correct terminology but in the house we opt not to use it.



I also agree with Samantha at school etc,. it is very taboo to use such words as vagina or penis. They refer to them as private parts at school.

Eugenie - posted on 08/09/2011

Hi Jennifer,
Gone are the days when you could call vagina a twinkie and penis a flankie and get away with it. Things have changed dramatically and for the benefit of your precious child I suggest you let her refer to it as what it is termed - vagina. It's a pretty nice name too!

"If we all treat each other like we treat ourselves - what a wonderful place earth would be."

Tara - posted on 08/09/2011

My girls are 3 1/2 and *almost* 2 - they know that they have a vulva and a vagina. If I had had boys they would know they have a penis and testicles. My girls know that boys have a penis and testicles because they asked why Daddy looked different (they caught him coming out of the shower one day).
I think it is best to use the proper names as it avoids confusion and can help protect your children from predators.

Shauna - posted on 08/09/2011

I would recommend saying the real word but if you think it might scare her then just say crotch.

Diane - posted on 08/09/2011

I am the author of the children's book Those are MY Private Parts. Through my research I found the molesters call private parts different names, like ding dong, lollipop, fun names so that when children tell, the parents are confused. It is very important children know the correct names of their body parts. Go ahead and say penis and vagina, they are not bad words. Why do you think you feel awkward?
You can look up reviews and order Those are MY Private Parts on amazon.

Jenni - posted on 01/16/2010

Ok sorry, but I think it's kinda twisted to teach you child to call her vagina a twinkie... What if someone touches her inappropriately and she tries to tell an adult, like a teacher, that someone touched her twinkie? Unfortunately as parents we need to be prepared for the worst. I think we need to teach our children the right words for their privates.

When my 2 year old started naming body parts we taught him penis. When he asked why mommy and sissy look different we explained it's because girls have vaginas. It wasn't a big deal. He doesn't run around saying the words inappropriately. We taught him testicle, because how confusing is it to a little kid to call them balls or nuts?

Now that he's almost 3 he's old enough to grasp euphemisms like privates, balls, etc. and now he calls his penis his privates most of the time. But if he hurts himself at least he knows the proper words to tell me, or another adult.

Cori - posted on 01/16/2010

we call our sons private his "Guy" my aunt uses "Parts" for her daughter. but we just stick with guy for his well, guy. i think later in life i will start using more technical terms

all i can see is the kid from kindergarten cop standing up in class and stating proudly that "Boys have a penis and girls have vaginas" haha.

Lori Beth - posted on 01/16/2010

We say girl stuff or boy stuff in our house which can encompass all the girl stuff and all the boy stuff. I have even been known to say cover your hooha when asked why we must wear leggings or biker shorts with skirts. I think it was very funny when the kid on Kindergarten Cop said boys have a penis and girls have a vagina but that was the movies. They will learn soon enough but for now I am good with girls stuff and boy stuff. Just pick what is right for you, neither is wrong in my opinion.

Sharon - posted on 01/16/2010

Its a vagina, or a penis and scrotum/balls/huevos around here.

The only time we use 'cutesy names' is when we're goofing around or making fun of my husband who can't bring himself to use the real words.

Charlene - posted on 01/16/2010

I agree that you should just stick to what their real names are. That's what I plan on doing with my daughter. I was never taught to say the real names, it was always some sort of slang and now to this day I still get a little embarrassed saying 'vagina' and 'penis'. I don't want that for my daughter.

Samantha - posted on 01/16/2010

My mother had taught me to use the correct words, but so many people discourage those words (teachers, babysitters, etc.), that I still have hangups about the words. I simply refer to the whole area as privates (or private parts), and if your child can't tell me which part in particular hurts (or whatever), then ask them to show you.

Danielle - posted on 01/16/2010

First of all, I feel odd pointing this out but "vagina" is not the proper term unless you're referring to the internal reproductive area of a female...it is more accurately the vulva.
I refer to my sons parts as their penis and should I ever have a daughter, her external bits will be referred to as a vulva.
My mom always referred to our privates as just that- our "privates" and to this day I still have issues saying "penis", "vagina", "vulva" etc without wanting to giggle. I know MANY people my age who also have the same hangups with these words as we were taught growing up that they weren't polite words to use and our parents used other words instead.
IMVHO, causing hangups on the actual, scientific terms is just ridiculous. Children, again this is my opinion, should be taught to refer to their parts by their REAL names.

Kate CP - posted on 01/16/2010

...What's wrong with vagina? It's a technical term, people (doctors) understand what it is, where it is, and it's not obscene. My daughter calls her privates her vagina and it's actually very helpful to me. One day she came to me and said "Mommy, my vagina hurts". Turns out she had an infection. Now if she can come to me and said "Mommy, my hoo-ha hurts" that could have meant anything. Use the word vagina and just try to get over your awkward feelings.

Rosie - posted on 01/16/2010

hoo hoo! i call it that to this day!

Chelle - posted on 01/16/2010

i call girly bits a noony and boy bits a winky

Jessica - posted on 01/16/2010

I took a human sexuality class when I was pregnant with my first son, they told us it was very important to use proper terms for body parts for many reasons....the most important one being when 100's of sex offenders were asked how we could protect our children the most common response was it scared the hell out of them when a child told them not to touch thier penis or vagina these words mean you have talked to your kids about these areas and thay are comfortable saying thoses word there fore more likely to tell their parents. Saying penis, vagina, breast is not shameful and kids should not be taught it is.... it also helps for doctors to diagnose easier if the child know proper names of their body parts and care givers to have a better idea of and issue should one arise. I have also been told that it promotes a healthier body image,.. I no proof to back that piece up...of course it's parents personal choice and the need to make the final call in the end.

Christie - posted on 01/16/2010

Cricket is what my brother and his wife used and it's what I think I will :)

Krista - posted on 01/16/2010

I wouldn't call it a "peach" or a "twinkie". What if she's at a sitter's and says that her peach hurts? Nobody will know what the heck she's talking about. I recommend using the proper names for it, but if you MUST use a euphemism, at least something like "peepee" is pretty much universally understood.

Lisa - posted on 01/16/2010

This might sound crazy but my family always called it a " peach" or even a "twinkie" I've always stuck with peach even though I caught alot of crap from my inlaws. Good Luck and whatever you call it just make sure she eventually knows the real word when she's ready.