Opinions?

shakespeare47 · 11:13 AM

I wonder what you would do in this situation?

Our local library has a child's storytime one night a week, and we've been bringing our 7 year old son. Last night I was a little embarrassed when the art project included drawing a dog, and he made a point of saying loudly "this dog is peeing" and clearly showed the dog peeing. Then, a little later, "this is the dog's penis, he's peeing out of it", then he added a fairly good representation (he's a pretty good artist).

I didn't make a big deal out of it, I did ask him to be a little more quiet. One of the mothers (I've known her for several years), leaned over and jokingly said "that art is known as 'realism'".

So, what would you do? Would you say anything at the time? How about afterward? My son seems to crave attention in a crowd.

Should I even give this a second thought?

IrisBloom · Jan 29, 2016 at 01:47 PM

I would tell him we don't talk about private parts at all unless talking to parents about one's own. I wouldn't make a big deal out of it. It is obvious he has been taught to speak his mind and call parts by their correct names, and this is good! But now he needs to know the where's and why's to use these skills.

shezbut · Feb 03, 2016 at 02:53 AM

I would have reacted the same way that you did: not make a big deal out of it, but also encourage him to be more quiet. If he were to go on and on, then I would be a little more firm and explain my reasoning in that moment. But, I think that you handled the situation well.

I agree that your son needn't bring up other people's private parts, but I would be careful on how you approach the subject with your son. A lot of times, children pick up shame from these kinds of talks...and that shame runs so deeply. Just talk about it seriously, but in a light explanatory tone of voice. (Does that make sense?)

Patagonia · Feb 03, 2016 at 08:56 AM

IMHO. Only. And I know it's not for everyone, but I like kids that talk about anatomically correct bodily functions! It tells me that parents have talked about it at home & they're comfortable with the subject.

I personally think it's great he called it a penis. That's what it is! Not a wee wee or pee pee hole. Geez. These are bodily functions.
What I usually see is that it makes other parents uncomfortable because they haven't had this conversation with their child or they aren't comfortable talking about it in public. That's their own problem.
BUT, I know I'm going to get hammered on this, but I do understand keeping "potty talk" to the bathroom!
So yes it is "realism" art & I think you should be proud that he thinking so openly about it. Peeing is a bodily function. But so is eating.

shakespeare47 · 12:02 PM

Well, I was relieved (no pun intended) that no one else made an issue of it, either.

IrisBloom · Feb 03, 2016 at 01:03 PM

Shakespeare, most of us parents have been there.

When my oldest son was about 2 and potty training and knew where his peeepee was, he would go around pointing to peoples crotches saying "PEEEEE!" lol

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IrisBloom Living Entity Member Since Jul 2014 Location: La La Land Posts: 28,949 (SuperPoster!) 10 2,365 hugs given	Jan 29, 2016 at 01:47 PM #2 I would tell him we don't talk about private parts at all unless talking to parents about one's own. I wouldn't make a big deal out of it. It is obvious he has been taught to speak his mind and call parts by their correct names, and this is good! But now he needs to know the where's and why's to use these skills. __________________
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shakespeare47 Grand Magnate Member Since Jul 2014 Location: US Posts: 3,145 10 437 hugs given	Feb 03, 2016 at 11:32 AM #5 Well, I was relieved (no pun intended) that no one else made an issue of it, either. __________________ My business is to teach my aspirations to conform themselves to fact, not to try and make facts harmonise with my aspirations. T.H. Huxley Last edited by shakespeare47; Feb 03, 2016 at 12:02 PM..
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IrisBloom Living Entity Member Since Jul 2014 Location: La La Land Posts: 28,949 (SuperPoster!) 10 2,365 hugs given	Feb 03, 2016 at 01:03 PM #6 Shakespeare, most of us parents have been there. When my oldest son was about 2 and potty training and knew where his peeepee was, he would go around pointing to peoples crotches saying "PEEEEE!" lol __________________
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