Do you use proper terminology when talking to your kids about their privates?

Question

My parents always said "pee-pee" and "private" instead of penis and vagina..... I have always used the correct words, but my parents think I'm crazy, and they have corrected me when I say the right thing! Are they just old fashioned?!

Answer 1

You could say......

"This is the scientific name for this place (anus-penis )etc "

"This is what the Doctor calls it---------"

"Some people call it -----(acceptable term )

"This is what we can call it at home--------"

This way you have the proper terminology, and the popular terms covered.

The important thing would be that the child have an understanding of the places we do not discuss the subject too loudly.

For example my daughter in the frozen foods isle at Kroger's "mommy my bajinja hurts"!!!!!

Answer 2

Well, I think it's good to use proper terminology when I'm being serious. But during diaper changes or something I'll just say girl-parts or crotch or peepee or family jewels or just bottom, something not so specific like that. It's overbearing and intimidating IMO to use the anatomical terms when that much specificity isn't called for (especially since I think my kids can tell when I am using words I don't use every day). It suggests that it's a Really Big Deal. Like, we don't say, "don't play that way, you could injure a cornea!" or "be sure to brush your gingiva!" Kids should pick up, from the playful references, that absolute frankness about genital anatomy is considered appropriate only under certain circumstances.



And - this is a pet peeve of mine - I'm opposed to using the word "vagina" for girl "parts" generally, not because of some "feminist" hangup but because it is technically incorrect. A vagina is an INTERIOR structure, like a urethra. Or an esophagus. Or an ear canal. Or like a rectum (the "anus" is the only exterior structure). You don't feel or see it at all. I may say that the hole is where the vaginal opening is, but I will not refer to her vulva as her vagina, because a child does not experience having a vaginal interior space and could be confused about it.

Answer 3

Delilah Regan Jocelyn Harlow Sydney Briar Violet Wynter Luna Caprice Fallon Everett Lennox Corbin Sebastian Leo Asher Remington Tobias Malachi " Lila, Josie, Sydney, Violet, Luna, Fallon, Knox, Seb, Ash & Tobi "

Answer 4

I plan on teaching my daughter to call them "privates." That's an appropriate term and isn't silly like "pee pee" or "wee wee." I don't really see anything wrong with teaching them correct terms, but some other parents might get upset if your kids are teaching their young children those terms. It just seems odd for most people to hear young children talking about a penis or vagina, but they are not bad workds or anything - just seem a little scientific for a 3 year old, ya know?

Answer 5

I ALWAYS use proper terminology when I am talking to my children. I remember when I war a child, my parents always used the correct terms with my siblings and I, so that's all I know.



A long time ago, there was a documentary done on sexual abuse. They interviewed children who had been abused (young children) and a lot of them gave inaccurrate information b/c they didn't know the correct terms for their private parts. That just tore me up and from then on, I vowed to always use the correct terminology with my children. It's important that they be well educated about their bodies.

Answer 6

Sometimes I say penis and sometimes I call it "Mr Winky".



However you could encounter a whole debate as to the correctness of the word "vagina" which is technically only the whole and feminists get all weird about it. Oddly men don't get all weird about the word penis leaving out the testicles, scrotum, etc. (rolls eyes)



Personally I don't buy the story about reported abuse not being taken seriously. Its not like the kids going to walk up and say it the same as they would say anything else.

Answer 7

I always used the proper terminology as well, but it has turned into a joke.



There was a neighborhood tom cat who had an injury to his testicles. My daughter was about 5 years old, and she was concerned. We had just arrived home to our apartment, parked the car and my daughter saw the cat in the parking lot. It was a beautiful summer evening, and many neighbors were outside, socializing. My little girl said, very loudly, "Hi there Cracker! And how are your tenticles today?"



My daughter is now 13, and she knows the appropriate term, but we still say tenticle.....

Answer 8

We use the correct terminology in our home too. Although we do use the term "privates" to describe all the parts in general.

Answer 9

Well with my little ones(3yr old, and 15 month old twins). We call them girl parts and boy parts. We call my son's penis his wee wee(that's what comes out of it). Farts we call butt bubbles...this started when he farted in the bath and he said bubbles. I think it is a personal choice. I like code words though.

Answer 10

i refer to it as 'privates' to my daughter...or 'girly parts' heh :) she's only 19mnths old though..and i do plan on using the correct terms when she's a bit older, but i just don't i don't think she can say those words now, and i'm trying to potty train her...

but my mom freaks out when i say 'butt' or 'poop' to my daughter....her 'correct' words are "fanny, rear-end, behind, or fesses" and "flatis, or passed gas". she thinks my daughter's going to be a barbarian because she loves to tell me when she did 'poop-poop' :) lol

Answer 11

I use the proper terminology with my daughter. I hear people using all different improper names, but I think we should keep it real with our children. They are smarter than we think. I say kudos to you for using the proper term.

Answer 12

Good for you. I am so sick of hearing pee-pee, or my friends daughter calls her genitals her flower. My mother brought me saying genitals and thats what i have my children call them, they also know penis and vagina. I don't know why people think it is dirty to call them by their proper names, i think its crazy.

Answer 13

yes they are, which is fine, but explain to them that these are YOUR children and you prefer to use the proper words. It's important that kids know the right words to use. You're doing the right thing. I did the same thing with my son.

Answer 14

Yes you need to use the right words... You dont want him to be 20 years old an calling it a "dipity doo da" an a "tally wacker" do you??? Yup bob thats my boy ;-)

Answer 15

I have always used the correct terminology.

Answer 16

I dont think you are crazy.



I always thought if I had kids, instead of teaching them "pee pee", I would tell them "privates".



For some reason 'pee pee' always seemed weird to me...because thats not what it is.



Those things are private, so why not call them that.

Answer 17

Well they have to be mature enough to handle the fact that you can say the word penis and vagina >.>



The fact your mature enough should give the a clue.

Answer 18

I use the correct terminology

Answer 19

i think when they are younger it is a good idea to use pee pee and private. but as they get older, mine is 7, my fiance and i use the correct term atleast for him. i have no reason to use vagina around him yet.

Answer 20

We use the correct anatomical terms, too.

Answer 21

Yes. That's what they're called. You don't want them to be ashamed of their bodies or afraid to ask questions.

Answer 22

my son knows its his penis, but I say his wee-wee.. I think its b/c the other words sound too grown up.. I know its silly and probably wrong, but I really dont see anyone growing up and ending up in therapy b/c their mother didn't refer to their private parts correctly.. just me..

Answer 23

well either way is OK in my opinion.. my children know the words, but i personally hate the word vagina.. i dont even like using it myself.. we say "peepee" and "weewee" for the most part, but they do know the proper words and what they mean.

Answer 24

I CALL IT "HOO HOO DILLIE" AND "CHA CHA"

OR "KOOCH" AND SLONG"