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Parenting
The Delight of Bodily Discovery
by Mia Thompson
Updated: March 23, 2021
Originally Published: March 2, 2011
Ah, the magical moment when your little one recognizes their own hands…
“Whoa, I have hands! Just look at them—aren’t they incredible? I could gaze at them forever! Did you know they can fit in my mouth?!”
Absolutely adorable.
Then comes the phase when kids become aware of their genitalia.
“Look at my penis! It can get bigger, too!!”
Not so cute, but undeniably hilarious.
My children are awakening to the wonders of their own bodies. This isn’t some literary awakening; it’s a pure, unfiltered realization that they possess genitalia, will develop breasts, experience menstruation, and yes—there’s hair down there. It’s like a scene from Kindergarten Cop, where a boy informs Arnold Schwarzenegger that boys have a penis and girls have a vagina. Check, check, double-check!
And let’s talk about their newfound comfort with nudity—it’s almost alarming.
My son runs around wearing just a shirt, reminiscent of Donald Sutherland in Animal House after a wild night. Only in this case, there’s no college student around, and he can’t seem to locate his underwear. Sometimes it’s on his head, or he’s wearing it backward, rocking the thong vibe as if he’s ready for a vacation on the French Riviera.
With “penis this” and “penis that,” he confidently shows off his underwear to friends or playfully slaps his backside to amuse other four-year-olds. His butt dance is a hit at dinner or whenever he’s in a crowd seeking laughs.
From a young age, his favorite bath toy has been his penis. It has now transformed into ‘penis tricks,’ ‘it’s a sword,’ or a playful “Got you, Sophie.” How many times can I say, “Stop playing with your penis! It’s not a toy”?
He grins as if to say, “Not a chance, lady! This is just the start.”
His Oedipal complex is in full swing as he reaches down my shirt, searching for a nonexistent snack. We’ve been done with breastfeeding for ages, and this reflex is a bit alarming. One moment we’re reading on the couch, and the next—bam! Down the shirt. Followed by, “I love you so much, more than Daddy. I’m gonna marry you.”
Meanwhile, my daughter, Sophie, has discovered that girls have breasts, or as she calls them, “breasteses.” This revelation has made its way into her art projects, where every female character is depicted with a generous bosom. I must say, I felt quite proud of her last drawing where I had a rather impressive set. It was a definite upgrade from my usual training bra look. Usually, her artistic interpretation features two swirl circles perched atop the neck, followed by the body and limbs. I only feel a twinge of jealousy when she draws her breasts bigger than mine!
Sophie plans to be Wonder Woman for Halloween next year and is genuinely concerned that no one will recognize her without breasts. To be fair, Lynda Carter’s outfit left little to the imagination—every curve and contour was highlighted. Boys everywhere soon developed a fascination with tiaras and secretly wished for the Lasso of Truth. I reassured her that no one would have trouble identifying her, but she insisted on stuffing socks in her shirt just in case.
Recently, we were at Target in the feminine hygiene aisle. She eagerly dashed ahead, grabbed a box, and loudly informed a nearby woman that she would be using these when she was older—like maybe at eight. “The green ones are the best!” Sweet heavens… they’re not popsicles!
She’s also keen on shaving, is anxious about ‘fur,’ and thinks we should pluck her brother’s eyebrows tomorrow, while inquiring about the timeline for future hair growth.
And don’t even get me started on ‘Naked Time.’ Naked time is every time. It could be freezing outside, and they’ll still initiate a dance party. My children have never seen Dana Carvey’s stand-up routine where he mentions ‘Naked Time.’ They’ve been using that phrase since they could speak and love to strip in front of strangers, including the mailman and at social gatherings.
It’s hard to keep a straight face amidst their questions and antics regarding anatomy. While it’s all completely normal developmental behavior, navigating appropriate discussions can be challenging. You want to avoid shaming them for asking, yet you also need to ensure they don’t think it’s alright to disclose to strangers that they’ll get their periods someday. Currently, my daughter associates breasts solely with women and nothing beyond that. We have yet to delve into the more complex social dynamics that are on the horizon.
They’re simply trying to make sense of it all. We need to teach them about social norms while maintaining our composure. Stripping at a church luncheon? Not the best move. These experiences are valuable life lessons, no matter the age.
For more insights on parenting and bodily awareness, check out this resource. And if you’re interested in home insemination, you can find excellent kits and advice at Cryobaby and BabyMaker.
Summary:
This piece humorously captures the amusing and awkward moments of children discovering their bodies. From their innocent fascination with anatomy to the challenges of discussing these topics, it emphasizes the importance of guiding them through their natural curiosity while navigating social norms.
Keyphrase: bodily discovery in children
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