I've never had an issue with correct anatomical terms, and I certainly don't have a problem with my kids using them properly. It is what it is. A penis is a penis; a vagina is a vagina. I'd much rather have them calling it like they see it instead of giving their parts endearing or weird titles. It may be the nurse coming out in me, but I really don't want my kids to be uncomfortable or embarrassed when they need to reference reproductive organs in actual, serious conversations someday. And believe me, everyone at some point in their life will need to have an actual, serious conversation regarding sex organs. So at our house, words like scrotum, uterus, and nipple are just normal words like leg, arm, and nose.
That being said, I also grew up in a house full of boys. I know that in the ordinary day-to-day life of a male, it isn't normal to say "testicles" or "scrotum". It just isn't. I don't want my son to be naive either, so I think it's important for him to know a few of the slang terms also (at least the ones that are least offensive). When he asks about terms he's heard, I honestly (and sort of maturely) define things for him and then tell him when and if it is ever appropriate to say those things. So far it's mostly worked pretty well for us. However, sometimes E doesn't always fully understand...or she has penis envy.
Case in point: While they were wrestling the other day, E shouted out, "Mom, J just kicked me in the nuts!"
1 comment:
If it makes E feel any better....there are lots of days that I feel like I've been kick in the nuts too!!!
I also believe in teaching my kids to identify their parts with the appropriate title. I loved my Dad's face the first time one of my girls said 'my vagina hurts' to him!!!
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