re: anatomically correct.

Quoting Allie [Ailey's Mommy 5.12:“ Something that i have noticed among several toddlers is the differences among the words they use to refrence ... [snip!] ... dong"? I just want to be very honest with my kids about their bodies. Just curious as to what the rest of you will be doing. =)”

We taught our kids the proper terms, I don't see the point in telling them anything different.
We also told them it was their private business and its not to be shared with anyone but themselves . Because of that they ocasionally call it their business .

*side note my daughter now 11 was about 2 when she told her great grandmother that boys have a penis and girls have Angina - I about died ! lol !

Quoting Allie [Ailey's Mommy 5.12:“ i respect parent's choice also, but to me dumbing it down makes it seem like there is something wrong ... [snip!] ... store that said his penis hurt, i wouldn't have anymore of a problem than if he said his wang hurt. that's just me though.”

I agree with that. I was rasised where no one said penis or vagina, so to use the word felt wrong to me even though it is the correct term. So I never really talked about anything that happened down there, and I never wanted to talk about sex. I always felt it was inappropriate. I do not want my kids to feel that way. I want them to be able to talk to me and not feel like they're talking about something forbidden. I will probably teach her the correct word and a nickname for it too. As long as she knows the proper term and isnt ashamed of it. But it would also seem a little strange to me to hear kids out in public talking about their penis and vaginas, maybe thats because I was never comfortable with it? But I'm hoping to change that.

They'll know the proper terms, when they start getting curious, we'll buy some books! But it's not that serious to me what they end up calling them day by day. I'd probably think it was cute if she came up to me at three years old all serious like, "My labia itch."

Proper terms, although it's actually a vulva, not vagina.

I teach vagina, penis and BOOBIES! LOL

If you can't tell your 3 year old they have a penis, how in the hell are you going to explain words like penetration, ejaculation, orgasm, clitoris and other such words?

Quoting Pr0nkBeth:“ Proper terms, although it's actually a vulva, not vagina. I teach vagina, penis and BOOBIES! LOL If ... [snip!] ... a penis, how in the hell are you going to explain words like penetration, ejaculation, orgasm, clitoris and other such words?”

lol ... maybe that's the reason men can't ever find the ...umm ... whats it called again?

Quoting Pr0nkBeth:“ Proper terms, although it's actually a vulva, not vagina. I teach vagina, penis and BOOBIES! LOL If ... [snip!] ... a penis, how in the hell are you going to explain words like penetration, ejaculation, orgasm, clitoris and other such words?”

I dont see a point in teaching a 3 year old about any of that. When they are older explain it. I mean after all they are just infants and toddlers. I dont feel a need for my kids to learn the "proper" term until the time is right. IMO the time is right about the time of puberty or a little before. Since many girls have their first period around the age of 10 I plan on teaching her at around 9 about that stuff so she is prepared for it all. When she is older it will be easier to understand and until then she really doesnt "need" to even really think about it.

I feel that open communication is explaining stuff in ways they understand and not making a big deal about things. Chances are someone is still going to say "we dont use those words" or "dont say that" so its okay to try and help avoid them becoming embarrassed about it.You wont be with them 24/7 once they start school so you cant just say dont tell them this andbe 100% its not goign to happen.I dont whisper words because they will hear them somewhere anyways and its better if it comes from me first because I can explain it. However, I wont make them use the words unless its needed which is around the time of puberty. If say my son asks me whats "penis" because he heard me or someone close say it I will tell him its his "pee pee" and thats what other people call it. I would let him decide on his own if he wants to use that word instead.

We use penis and vagina.

Quoting Cowgirl47429:“ I dont see a point in teaching a 3 year old about any of that. When they are older explain it. I mean ... [snip!] ... its his "pee pee" and thats what other people call it. I would let him decide on his own if he wants to use that word instead.”

Do you realize that the 'sex talk' begins at the ages of 2 and 3?! Of course it's not about intercourse, but you should be talking to your kids about good touch, bad touch (who can touch you there and who can't). I respect your opinion, but it's just dangerous to me that you would want to wait so long to introduce general biology to your children. I'm curious if you've spoken to your 2-3 year old (if you have one) about the privacy of their genitals or is this something that is going to be explained when they are 10?

If someone told my son to not say the word penis, trust me that I would be defending my son. I think by giving genitalia pet names are making the real names more taboo.

I feel the most important things a parent can do is have a 100%, open-door policy on anything do to with sex, sex organs, and so forth. Let the child be the guide. They ask, you explain it on their level. For example, my son asked how the baby would be born. I said she would come through my vagian. He wrinkled his nose and went on playing Legos. I satisfied his question without getting into detail.

Quoting Pr0nkBeth:“ Do you realize that the 'sex talk' begins at the ages of 2 and 3?! Of course it's not about intercourse, ... [snip!] ... come through my vagian. He wrinkled his nose and went on playing Legos. I satisfied his question without getting into detail.”

Yes I have a 2 almost 3 year old and a 5 year old both that know no one is allowed to touch there but themselves. I am not saying you wouldnt defend your kid but when you arent around there isnt much you can do. No "sex" talks to not begin that early because "sex" is intercourse and/or oral and bad touching. My kids know that no one is allowed to touch them there and only me, their, dad and possibly a doctor is allowed to even see it if they have a problem with that area. My kids do and have called it "pee pee" because that is what they DO with it so they linked the names together. Its not a "pet name" it is reality. You want to make your kids have to grow up and deal with things earlier then need be go ahead but I will allow my kids to be just that "KIDS" and when I feel the time is right to go into detail and use "proper" terms I will. I certainly do not feel a need to give my 2 yr old a "sex talk" period. It is possible to explain things in a way they understand without having to be so "adult" about it. My kids also know that if they feel uncomfortable in any way about something they are to tell me or their father.

Also what is the point as long as everyone understands what they are talking about? Who cares WHAT they call it as long as you know what they are talking about? Its not "dangerous" to have a kid call their penis a pee pee. Its not dangerous to use less "adult" words. Its just plain not dangerous as long as its understandable by you and others to use different terms.

Quoting Allie [Ailey's Mommy 5.12:I personally will be sticking to the anatomically correct "penis and vagina" because honestly is it anyless shocking to hear a kid talking about their "ding dong"?dong"?

I will do the same as you, and I agree completely with what you said above. If someone has a problem with a child saying penis or vagina, then it's his/her own problem and he/she should probably work it out.

Although, I must add, that we have strict rules about "potty talk" outside of the potty. We make it clear that certain things need to be said in the bathroom if possible. And for the most part, it works.

Quoting Cowgirl47429:“ Yes I have a 2 almost 3 year old and a 5 year old both that know no one is allowed to touch there ... [snip!] ... to use less "adult" words. Its just plain not dangerous as long as its understandable by you and others to use different terms.”

I can see doing it your way as well...guess I never really thought about this much. I say "vagina" to my girls when needed, but I don't see anything wrong with using a more childish word. As a matter of fact, my girls usually call everything down there their "hiney" lol.

Quoting EmmaGrace:“ I can see doing it your way as well...guess I never really thought about this much. I say "vagina" to ... [snip!] ... wrong with using a more childish word. As a matter of fact, my girls usually call everything down there their "hiney" lol.”

If I ask mine "do you stink? I get the "no I didnt shit my pants" I think butt will always be "ass" and poop will probably always be "shit" lol Thats what they picked and others understand it so thats what I will let them use. If you and others know what they are referring to then I just dont see the big deal. I will explain the details when they are old enough to fully understand the details. While they are little they will usually call it whatever they want anyways. My kids "know" the words as they have heard them before but they just dont use them. Not because they arent allowed but because they choose their own words. I feel you can teach right and wrong without having to be so "adult" about it. I dont want to force my kids to grow up faster then they have to. They know the areas, they know good and bad, if asked others know what they are talking about so I just dont see a point in technical terms at a young age.

I dont really think that it is absolutely necessary that they know the exact terms of their body parts. I mean, I had to teach my son about boobs because he loved to roll his trucks over mine like they were mountains or something. But then, he starts talking about his own boobs and I had to explain to him that only girls have boobs. Then he wanted to know what his nipples were, so we just told him they were nipples. Now, at the most inopportune times, he tells me very loudly that only girls have boobs and boys have "dipples." Slightly embarrassing to hear a three year old say nipples. Now, I am trying to figure out how to explain to him what it means when his little uh-uh gets hard. That still freaks me out, honestly.

Quoting ... Does Not Make You a C:“ I dont really think that it is absolutely necessary that they know the exact terms of their body parts. ... [snip!] ... trying to figure out how to explain to him what it means when his little uh-uh gets hard. That still freaks me out, honestly.”

You dont have to go into much detail other then it means you have more blood flow to it and it will go down with time. My son only gets that way when he is about to pee so its not a issue yet but when he is older we will explain that certainexcitement causes that as well. If you are really excited or get the funny feeling in your stomach things like that and that its normal and it will go back down so its nothing to worry about or be embarrassed about. If they are in school then go to the bathroom and "calm" down, get a drink of water then when you are ready go back.