Teaching children the correct anatomically (private) parts

[btw]

So I’m a mum to a 4yo, I recognise the importance of teaching children the correct anatomical parts such as pen and tina but I just can’t see to get over the embarrassment of of using the correct term. I know that’s awful and it’s my issue I need to get over but I was brought up using silly names and it’s something I want to change for my 4yo.
Has anyone got any advice / experience on how to approach the subject in the correct way.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

So I’m a mum to a 4yo, I recognise the importance of teaching children the correct anatomical parts such as pen and tina but I just can’t see to get over the embarrassment of of using the correct term. I know that’s awful and it’s my issue I need to get over but I was brought up using silly names and it’s something I want to change for my 4yo.
Has anyone got any advice / experience on how to approach the subject in the correct way.

What are you currently calling them?

I don’t understand what’s embarrassing about calling them a pen/tina? It’s just a word. Like arm or leg?

we use Willy instead of pen in our house but it’s never been an embarrassing thing to talk about.

 

[Twinks10]

So I’m a mum to a 4yo, I recognise the importance of teaching children the correct anatomical parts such as pen and tina but I just can’t see to get over the embarrassment of of using the correct term. I know that’s awful and it’s my issue I need to get over but I was brought up using silly names and it’s something I want to change for my 4yo.
Has anyone got any advice / experience on how to approach the subject in the correct way.

I’ve just started doing this for my 3.5yr old and 22mth old as I think it’s important they know the correct term even if we use a nickname but I’m only using the correct terms at the moment.
I narrate what I’m doing when washing them in the bath, starting from the top and working my way down.‘Ok, let’s wash your hair/face/arms/hands/body/tina/pen/bottom/legs and feet - all done’ then they play. It’s just said in the same way as arms and legs, I’ll admit I did feel a bit funny saying it at first, it felt a bit formal but now it’s fine, I don’t think of it.
I also reiterate it to my daughter when she uses the toilet ‘have you wiped your tina?’
Hope this helps you get started, good luck!

 

[btw]

What are you currently calling them?

I don’t understand what’s embarrassing about calling them a pen/tina? It’s just a word. Like arm or leg?

we use Willy instead of pen in our house but it’s never been an embarrassing thing to talk about.

It’s not so much that it’s embarrassing, it’s just very different to the way I was brought up. I’d never use the word pen unless I was using it in a scientific/clinical kinda way so it just feels very odd calling it a pen in everyday context as it’s not a word I’d typically use.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

It’s not so much that it’s embarrassing, it’s just very different to the way I was brought up. I’d never use the word pen unless I was using it in a scientific/clinical kinda way so it just feels very odd calling it a pen in everyday context as it’s not a word I’d typically use.

So what are you currently calling a pen or tina when you talk to your kids?

 

[CrystalWench]

We’ve always used correct words, pen, vulva and mole. My son has his own nicknames for his pen like the usual Willy, pickle etc. But understands that should he need to be telling anyone about his parts he needs to refer to them correctly which he does.

 

[btw]

So what are you currently calling a pen or tina when you talk to your kids?

Willy

 

[Definitelyme]

We use a variety of names, which we do for other body parts too. So we use vulva and pen, but also winky and foo (or if we are feeling fancy, foojangles )

We also call a head a noggin, a nose a snoz, and a bottom “a little peach”, toes are often tootsies, so we don’t see it as any different than that, just a variety of words for different parts. I think that using a mixture is absolutely fine, as long as the correct terms are used/known as well.

 

[HankMcPrank]

We all use “wee wee”
It stuck at potty training and we’ve just carried on. I’ve taught my children the correct terms may I add.

 

[OhMyGaad]

Hugely important to call by anatomical names. I know some people might be 'embarrassed' but really, given the incidence of child sexual abuse children should not be using pet names for their genitalia.

 

[Twinks10]

Hugely important to call by anatomical names. I know some people might be 'embarrassed' but really, given the incidence of child sexual abuse children should not be using pet names for their genitalia.

This is what scares the life out of me and my main reason for using the correct terms tbh.

 

[Lindssdnil]

I work in a nursery. We always use the correct names when talking about body parts. The main reason for this is for example if a child made a disclosure and they used a ‘nickname’ for a certain body part then it could be argued in court that they are talking about something else or how do we know for sure that they are talking about a certain body part? Where if we only use the correct terminology then there is no mistaking.

 

[Kim Mild]

It seems terms for female intimate areas tend to be more vague. People incorrectly use tina when they mean vulva, which is the external female genitalia.

For my little ones I tend to say informal terms like bum , willy , balls . I would use front bum or ' front ' for my daughter as at the moment she would have no context of where a vulva is . I would say these terms are widely understood and not ambiguous.

For me , it's ambiguous informal nicknames that can lead to confusion.

I also say tootsies for toes / feet in general, and toothy- pegs for teeth.

 

[37BBL]

Hugely important to call by anatomical names. I know some people might be 'embarrassed' but really, given the incidence of child sexual abuse children should not be using pet names for their genitalia.

100%.
We have always used the correct names. They say other words too, but in the main they know its pen and tina.
I read a story once about how a child told a teacher their uncle had licked their cookie. Teacher thought nothing of it and brushed it off asking if they got themselves another cookie.
Transpired said uncle was sexually abusing their niece and cookie was actually her word for tina.
Always stuck with me and now I make sure my kids use the correct terminology.