What to do with a 7 year old girl who was caught touching herself? she even asked if what she was doing was?

Question

right or wrong, the adult who caught her, said, what do you think? And she replied with you're old and you don't know?

The girl even giggled. Are 7 year olds like this nowadays? What's the best thing to do? Ignore the situation or confront the little girl?

Answer 1

Definitely do not ignore the situation, but do not "confront" her under any circumstances! All children exlpore and touch their own bodies because it feels interesting--it is completely natural and nothing to be embarassed about, and you need to let her know that. Talk to her about it, but do not be negative, accusatory, or confrontational when you do so. All you need to do is gently tell her that it's okay to touch yourself, but it should only be done in private. That's really all she needs to know. Masturbation is a healthy and normal habbit, and if you try to suppress it your child will probably develop a major complex later on.

Answer 2

It's normal and as long as she isn't doing it in front of others perfectly ok. It's not wrong to touch yourself. Explain to her that she should only do that in private and that if anyone else tries to do that to her that she needs to tell an adult about it.

Answer 3

That's natural.  Whatever you do, DO NOT SHAME HER FOR HER BEHAVIOR!!!  If anything, ask her if anyone has touched her there before, just to find out if she has been sexually abused.  But I stress this:  it really is natural.  Nothing to worry about.  Talk to her about appropriate places and times to touch herself (i.e. don't do it on the school bus, but the bathroom is fine, etc.).

She is touching her own body.  If you act like this is something shameful or fearful, she will feel that her body is shameful or fearful.  That's a horrible thing to do to a child.  Again, one more time...it's natural.  She's just being a 7 year old girl, exploring her own body.

Answer 4

I've heard that's fairly normal.

http://healthystrokes.com/parents.html

Answer 5

that must have been embarrassing

Answer 6

The young girl is starting to explore her body. It might be a little younger than you would like, but some kids do it even earlier than that. My daughter was about 3 or 4 when I first noticed her doing this.  She most likely giggled out of nervousness at being caught.  Most of the time it is absolutely normal, but in rare cases it is because they have been touched by someone else. Have a talk with her about it in private. Ask if she has been touched anyone else and make sure she knows her private areas are to remain private to others except mom & dad and the doctor only when mom or dad is in the room.  Explain to her that it is OK for her to do this. Stress the importance of proper hygiene to where she washes her hands before and after so that germs don't get in there and cause an infection. It is completely normal for kids to want to m********e. Just like it feels good for you, it feels good for her. She needs to know that there is nothing shameful about this, but it is something to do in private and not in front of others.  Come up with a way where she can signal you by closing the door and putting something on the doorknob so she can have her "private time" and not be disturbed. She will feel comforted to know she can speak to you about this without getting in trouble or thinking it is a bad thing. Good luck to you and hope this helps!

Answer 7

So she touched herself.  It's HER body.  Touching oneself is quite normal.  I would simply tell her to keep it private.  What is there to "confront"  I'll be YOU touch yourself as well.

Answer 8

thats a tough one if it was my kid i would talk to her about it if she wanted to talk about it

Answer 9

tell her its supposed to be done in private

Answer 10

Tell the girl that this is nothing to talk about and she should do it in her room when she's by herself.

Answer 11

It's normal for kids to explore their bodies.  Sounds like it's time to sit her down and have the birds and bees talk.  Make sure you let her know that it's perfectly normal to be curious.

Answer 12

It's perfectly normanl for kids to explore their own body, I would just explain to her that it is a private matter and that it is hers and no one elses. Definitley do NOT tell her it's bad, it will create a fear of her sexuality that will carry into adult hood. Don't worry, she'll be fine.

Answer 13

It's not wrong, dont tell her its bad, just tell her that its something for only her and it should be kept private

Answer 14

Mom should tell the child that it's okay to touch herself anytime she's alone in her bedroom or bathroom, but it's not okay to do it in front of others.

TX Mom

Answer 15

That is completely normal and natural.  She has questions which is awesome.  She has opened the lines of communication with you.  Now you just have to give her the information she needs and wants to know.  I had a difficult time having this conversation with my son, so I bought a book called "It's So Amazing!: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families"  This book is geared towards children 7 and up, and it covers everything in language appropriate to a 7 year old.  I love the way the book is almost in a comic book format and comes from two points of view; the curious bird, and the embarrassed bee.  It took the focus off of my son, and made the book incredibly humorous to him.  I would recommend getting this book for these questions and all questions seven, eight, and nine year olds might have about their bodies.

The book does cover touching and masturbating.

Answer 16

Just advise her this touching is O.K but should be done in private, such as in her bed room, bath room etc.

If it done in public, then its punishable.

Answer 17

Touching yourself is completely normal. Studies have shown that children as young as 18 months old touch themselves and experiment, either out of pleasure or curiosity. Either way, it's very bad to tell a child that it's wrong. It can cause problems farther down the road with a child's sexuality and self-esteem.

My three year old started touching herself in the bathtub when she was two. I told her that was fine, but she had to do that in her room in private, not in front of anyone else. I've since caught her only once, and she was doing more of "experimenting" kind of touching than anything else. It's completely normal. Please don't tell her it's wrong. You'll regret it later.