Why Children Should Use the Appropriate Names for their Private Parts
Posted by Dr. Cason on Tuesday, June 24th, 2008
A collection of my two year old’s daily reports keep piling up in his new classroom. They chronicle his day, what he ate, how he slept and most of all what he said. This morning I grabbed a handful and headed out the door. As I waited at the the stop light I thumbed through them, sipped my coffee and lingered over each descriptive day.
They were cute. And informative. And then there was this one:
Other Comments:
Jacob had a good day. Ms. N- noticed he was walking funny. Ms. N- asked him “What’s wrong Jacob.”
He said, “I’m just pooping. I’m not done yet. My penis is peeing right now.”
I nearly snorted coffee through my nose, I was laughing so hard!
That’s my boy- a pediatrician’s son!!!
ALWAYS teach your children the appropriate names of their body parts. Don’t make me tell you about the case where an abused young girl kept referring to her genitalia as a “pocket book”. Can you guess why the prosecution’s case wouldn’t stick.
Filed in Everything Medicine, My Life |
Awesome Momon 24 Jun 2008 at 3:27 pm 1Lol! I have taught my kids the anatomical names for their body parts and while it has resulted in some embarrassing moments it is best all around that they learn the proper names for things.
Awesome Moms last blog post..Finally pictures of the house!
Trishon 24 Jun 2008 at 3:59 pm 2YOU snorted your coffee!!! Heck, I about lost a whole glass of juice through my nose with that one, and he isn’t even my kid!!!
Very excellent point however…. and the entertainment value is priceless!
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Barbara Swaffordon 24 Jun 2008 at 4:22 pm 3LOL That’s precious, Dr. Cason,
I agree. If we’re teaching children what their nose and ears are, there’s nothing wrong with teaching them the anatomical names for their genitalia.
Your example of a prosecutor’s cases being lost is a perfect example.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..NBOTW Needs No Introduction
Cautionon 24 Jun 2008 at 8:57 pm 4I’m not a great fan of all the euphemisms either, but since those same body parts are the topic of choice most of the day for my boys, sometimes the myriad of nicknames is a nice break for the ears.
Cautions last blog post..I’d Like a Ice Cream Sundae With a Side of Muffin-top, Too
Cassaundraon 24 Jun 2008 at 10:34 pm 5That is great! GO Jake Go!
I have taught my kids the correct terminology and the most commonly used slang terms for private parts, so when someone doesn’t use the correct terminology, they will know what someone is talking about.
I just went back to school last year after no school for 25 years…and my goal was to make all A’s in 6 classes and two of my classes were Anatomy and Physiology. The way I learned A&P so well, was to teach it to my kids…….Now they have a head start in their school for those subjects. What a way to boost their confidence!
Alesiaon 25 Jun 2008 at 12:42 am 6My kids have always called their bits & pieces by their correct names, much to their grandparents’ discomfort.
Audubon Ronon 25 Jun 2008 at 1:06 am 7Funny.
Audubon Rons last blog post..Honey I Love You, But You’ve Got Fecal Plaque
AxeCityon 25 Jun 2008 at 1:07 am 8That was really funny!
However, it’s a very important point to takecare of while teaching kids. Great that you mentioned it.
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White Hot Magikon 25 Jun 2008 at 2:14 am 9Funny, I taught my sons the correct names, and we have more use of the word penis stories than I can count. Although my favorite involved my mother in law, where she couldn’t tell me the story she had to whisper it into my husbands ear so he could relate it to me, apparently she can’t say that word. In fact she couldn’t imagine where he learned it. I had to say that would be me.
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Queen Mommyon 25 Jun 2008 at 2:37 am 10It is SO very true and so very important!
There is NO shame in the human body, only what society (media) has done to it!
Queen Mommys last blog post..We are happy to introduce
Lisaon 25 Jun 2008 at 4:05 am 11It’s the only way I can talk to my kids seriously. If I don’t use anatomical language I get flustered and embarrassed. I have seriously used the Anatomy and Physiology coloring books to explain stuff to my kids.
Lisas last blog post..Part 4, put away sharp objects….
Dr. Casonon 25 Jun 2008 at 10:13 am 12Awesome Mom- Yes they are always good for a laugh. I’ve never laughed as hard as when I started having kids!
Trish- Sorry
Ill give you a warning next time!
Barbara- Totally agree! The great thing is the kids are so comfortable with the correct terms that they thinks it’s funny to hear a nickname for their private parts.
Caution- Uh-oh Is that what I have to look forward to? Jake yesterday had the class rolling about his “tooting”. I guess he cleared the room and was very proud of it. As was my husband! Jeez!
Cassaundra- That’s exactly how I became comfortable with it. Dissecting cadavers and pouring over anatomy books makes you REAL comfortable!
Audubon and Axe City- I’m still laughing!
White Hot- I’m had some Moms whisper and I lean in and say a little louder “What? You mean his penis?.” They cringe but I still say it matter of a fact because I want the parents and child to realize that’s it’s name and we can say the word!
Queen Mommy: Seriously, right?
Ellen Wilsonon 26 Jun 2008 at 2:47 am 13Hi Dr Cason,
I found you over at Barbara’s and this penis post made me laugh.
This is very sad about the young girl, though. I wish the case would have stuck.
Yes, I totally agree. Genitals are just another body part that gets a name. I taught my kids penis and vagina right away knowing that they would here all the nick names in school, but at least they heard the correct terminology from their mother.
I like your writing and also your photographs are great!
Ellen
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..What are You Fishing for?
Guinevere Meadowon 26 Jun 2008 at 6:22 am 14I once had a doctor ask me how my “girl parts” were when he found out I had been put on antibiotics for bronchitis..lol! He wanted to let me know that antibiotics can cause yeast infections…
In all fairness, this doctor is my chiropractor, not my GYN; is male, is a friend of the family, and is also our landlord…kinda strange…but it made me laugh just the same!
Guinevere Meadows last blog post..In Which I Write a Week’s Worth of Posts in a Single Day
Claire Bon 26 Jun 2008 at 3:05 pm 15Hi there Dr. Cason,
First, thanks for coming by my place. I’m glad you found me interesting. I’m glad somebody does.
I saw you on Mrs. G’s looooong daily comment list a couple of times and thought, “I need to check her out.” I’m just popping in before bed but I will SO be back!
This was the funniest post I’ve read in a long time. I actually cackled. Can’t wait to read all about you and yours.
Thanks!
CB
Claire Bs last blog post..Post # 104 Titillating Things About Me
Dr. Casonon 26 Jun 2008 at 3:30 pm 16Hi Ellen- I think I would teach my kids the correct names regardless but the fact that there would be some confusion if ever they were trying to describe an unwelcome touch makes me even more adamant.
Guinevere- Yeah, he probably feels like he knows you too well. I have found that people are more comfortable with vaginal than vagina and rectal sounds better than anus. Go figure.
Welcome Claire B.- I know what you mean regarding Mrs. G. She’s got quite a following. It’s a good spot to go to find new people! Hope to see you back.
tiffon 26 Jun 2008 at 10:37 pm 17My kids have always used the right names for their parts. Part of growing up with a midwife for a mum is that anatomical names for genitalia are used on a day to day basis and everyone is comfortable.
In our house at least.
When the girls started school I was hauled up to the office because one of them had used the word vagina. Another kindergarten mother had complained.
She was uncomfortable with my girls saying vagina in front of her daughter as in;
I & M were in the girl’s toilets together and I reminds M to wipe her vagina after she has been to the toilet.
Go figure. I asked the Principal what he would have me teach the girls to call their private parts and he said ’something more age appropriate’.
Hmmmm.
Each to their own, I guess.
My girls are really sensible about all that being a girl & a woman means because they have just grown up always knowing about it. I wonder now how that girl is coping with impending adolescence, or maybe I should be wondering how the Mum is going.
tiffs last blog post..Lily turns 10
Shamelessly Sassyon 27 Jun 2008 at 1:27 am 18I agree about the private parts. One of my distant cousins taught her kids to call their vaginas, ‘coochies’. Um, hello, no. So when they talked about their privates, I thought I was listening to a rap song.
Shamelessly Sassys last blog post..Vacant Uterus: Not Accepting Applications
Dr. Nicole Sundeneon 27 Jun 2008 at 4:59 am 19Too funny! My sister is a preschool teacher and is absolutely adamant about teaching her kids the appropriate words. One day her daughter grabbed a mirror and was squatting over it naked and said “Hi Labia!”
I doubt we have ever laughed so hard…
Love your blog. Saw you commenting over at Barbara’s. Look forward to more.
Dr. Nicole Sundenes last blog post..Weight Loss Tip: Adam & Eve’s Diet and Exercise Plan
Dr. Casonon 27 Jun 2008 at 5:42 am 20Tiff- I can’t believe the principal said that. I’m sure on retrospect he can see that vagina is more age appropriate.
I had a mom ask me to explain sex education to her daughter- who was 14. I took the mom aside and said I will do it but it’s really important that they learn it by age 8. (I know that might seem early to some of you but imagine that by 2nd or 3rd grade that’s when most kids are hearing it at school) She balked. Poor thing.
Shamelessly- Yeah I’m not real thrilled about Coochie either. And don’t even get me started on the names for breasts.
Dr. Nicole- Thanks for visiting. I’ve seen your name as well and have been meaning to check out your site! That’s a funny story. It just reminded me of something Gabby said- I’ll have to post about it. (It’s not private part related but rather spiritual).
Jozet at Halushkion 29 Jun 2008 at 1:39 pm 21My kids know the correct names, but they still use…what would you call it…”poetic” terms? They know their head is a head, but also call it a noggin. Toes are also piggies. And we have about 32 different words for butt, some of the best ones in Polish, lol.
Now, no one has gone all Georgie O’Keefe and called their vagina dewy rose, but as long as they also know the anatomically correct lingo, I have no problem with my daughters referring to their diaperless brother as Free Willy.
Jozet at Halushkis last blog post..Friday night blogging Whilst Beer
Kylaon 02 Jul 2008 at 1:00 pm 22We’ve taught our kids the proper names, too. Unfortunately KayTar thinks that “lay-bee-ah” and “lay-dee-bug” sound enough alike to be interchangeable. She has ladybug boots and she’s always shouting “Look at my labia boots!” at the most inopportune times. LOL.
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