Should I teach my son the proper term for anatomy?

Question

He is potty training right now we call it a pee pee. He's 27mo. I know the proper term is best but I don't want him saying it out in public. What do you think?

Answer 1

My mom always referred to everything in its proper term, so I have begun to do so with my 21 month old. I guess I feel like if he hears it and is allowed say it then he will not be confused or ashamed to say it when he gets older. Just my personal feelings. You should do what you feel comfortable with as well. Good luck potty training!

Answer 2

When a child understands the correct words and terminology, they become mature in that particular form of subject matter. If you show that you are embarassed to call a penis what it is and you refer to it as a dingle dong of sorts, your child will take those same cues from you and he will giggle or react very expressively whenever he sees that part of the body. Also when a child wants to know where babies come from, don't tell them that the stork brings them ;) My parents taught me a lot of things about sexual anatomy when I was a child and because of it, my peers had more issues about nudity than I did. I mean when I was 5, I didn't see what the big deal was about seeing a pair of breasts. I was like, "Breasts? Yeah? So what? All women have them." Interestingly enough, a friend of mine goes so far as to teach his kids the proper terminology for bodily functions. Rather than saying "pee-pee" and "doo-doo" they say "urinate" and "deficate" respectively. It tends to shock some people when his 2½ year old kid says, "Daddy? Can you take me to the bathroom? I have to deficate."

Answer 3

At his age wee-wee or pee-pee is what is to be expected as far as teaching them a name for their penis for the time being and then around age 6 or 7 is a good age to teach them all correct words for anything that we taught them baby names so as to not embarrass anyone or inappropriately verbalize to anyone while they were smaller. I think you are doing just great! LOL

Gina

mom of 4 and grandma to 2 boys at age 41

keep up the good work!!!

Answer 4

If it's the proper and scientific term, what's wrong if he DOES say it out in public? Everybody knows them.

Answer 5

Use whatever phrase you and your partner agree on. Having a child say, "Mother I have to urinate" will probably crack everybody up and he won't get the joke.

Answer 6

Yes you should.