How can I get my 8 year old to QUIT adjusting himself CONSTANTLY! ?

Question

My 8 year old has developed a habit over the summer of adjusting, itching, grabbing himself or whatever you want to all it. Problem is, it is getting worse, completely out of hand. It is embarrassing for me, and although he doesn't realize, embarrassing for him. It totally creeps me out when I see a guy doing it, even occassionally. I have tried everything, new tighter fitting underwear (before he was wearing boxer briefs that were a little loose) I have talked, explained, showed him answers in the forums about what others have said, I have used a silent signal to alert him when I see it (and said nothing...the signal is private between us) I have coached him, instructing that it is a self control issue, only he has the power to overcome it. I have given him jock itch cream. I have been nice, I have been mean, never humiliating...but I am getting there! But basically, now I am just plain pissed off and am taking away 15 minutes of his time on the spot every time I see him do it. This is not something he did even a year ago, so it is something new. I would really like to hear from a former "fiddler" to see how you broke your habit. Please save the "it's a guy thing". I realize sometimes it needs to be done, but this is an issue that exeeds that level. Help.

Answer 1

Look "mom", as a former fiddler, I'd say he has gotten hold of some  "whacked out" information from his peers. They probably told him that if he pulls on it, adjusts it down, yanks on it, and any similar behaviors, it will increase in length. Since you haven't said what "adjustments" he makes to himself, I'm  assuming he's doing what I mentioned above. It is also a "security" thing with boys his age, and although you may not have seen it elsewhere, your concerns are not without merit. I must admit, I myself also put my mother through some despair at seven years old. Knowing I had supportive parents and family, I eventually curtailed that behavior drastically by the time I entered puberty.

One question that should be answered is; Does his behavior cause embarrassment to him or yourself? Good luck.

Answer 2

Maybe you should rule out any physical condition that might cause him to do it.  Just to be sure there is nothing wrong.  If a doctor clears him... then he needs a reality check.   Such as kids his age telling him to stop that!  (time for a little humiliation from his peers?) At 8 he is getting too old to be grabbing at his crotch all the time.  Ask him how often he sees other guys grabbing themselves.   It shows a lack of intelligence and class.  He should realize how inappropriate and disrespectful it is when with others.   If he feels he must do it then wait until he is alone.  A jock itch powder would work better if he needs it.   I hope for your sake, and his, that it is just a dumb phase he is going through.  Good luck

Answer 3

I am a guy. I had a close friend who used to touch, itch, adjust himself constantly. I picked up on it after a short while of being his friend and i used to ignore it. It was embarrassing for me when we were in public and he was very obviously grabbing himself down there while people were looking, but he was completely oblivious to the weirdness i felt. I popped the question one day why he itches so much and he said he doesn't know why, he's just gets really itchy. However now we're both older he doesn't do it as much. My thoughts could be it's a puberty thing with a small amount of guys. (which i haven't had to experience) It will probably pass. You need to tell your son to fix himself discreetly.

Answer 4

he needs to do it, its a guy thing, for real moron, when he gets an erection it may be poking his underwear so he needs to move it out of the underwear so it can be comfortable,

i bet sometimes he walks funny too huh?

its cuz hes hard and its hard to walk with an erection., when he itches it he may be trying to move it without looking weird, but he doesnt realize itching looks just as weird, summer is when we usually start getting mose erections so thats the problem

Answer 5

put him in boxer shorts so that he can move freely and check him for jock itch

Answer 6

awww every boy does that. just tell him that its not nice and u want him to stop it. explaining him why you think its bad it will really help. If he keeps doing it after all this, dont insist, he will know its bad and he will eventually stop it.

p.s. laughted soooo much with the 1st answer

Answer 7

that is a  normal behavior to be aware of his genitals at that age.   the more fuss u make over it the more in the front of his mind it will be.   stop commenting, punishing, or yelling at him about it or you will have a really messed up adolescent when it comes to sexuality and will make his life and mental stability possibly an issue later in life.  The less attention you pay to it, the sooner this phase will pass.

Answer 8

stop worrying about it...the bigger deal you make of it the bigger deal it will become...I to have a son that u to do that and as we stop telling to stop doing it in about a week or two he stopped it...

Answer 9

At 8 years old, I doubt he is adjusting hisself. He's probrably just playing with it cause hes seen somone else doing it. Don't know how to stop it.

Answer 10

it is normal for kids that age.  Just tell him that if he touches it then it will fall off like the other guy said.  Also don't make it into a big deal kids go thru many phases in their lives.  No worries really.

Answer 11

I had this problem with my kid to. Tell him if you touch it to much it will fall off. Worked with my kid.