3 year old playing with himself. Do I say anything?

[MeganH]

Ok so I think you probably get the gist of it from the title. My 3 year old is playing with himself a bit and giving himself a stiffy all the time. Its only really at home when he's running around nude that I notice, obviously coz he's nude. But anyway, I dont want him to think that it's dirty or wrong at all, but just wondering if I should say anything to him or just let him go. Just want to know your opinion. He's very fascinated with it at the moment and Im just not sure if I should just ask him to stop playing with it when I notice.

[Liviam]

My DD is always playing with herself to the point of it getting rid and sore. The health nurse told me to tell her that it will get sore if she keeps playing with because they know sore and don't like that feeling plus it isn't telling her off for doing it or telling her it's dirty or naughty. Maybe you could start talking to him about things you do and don't do infront of people.
Good luck.

[MantaRay]

My DS2 has just hit this phase too. At that age they are still learning about what is ok in front of others. Usually they are around 4 when they learn that playing with themselves should be done in private. It is ok to just let him go if you are comfortable with it, or you can gently suggest that he not do it in front of you. Either way, not making a big fuss of it seems to work well.

[YoYo]

My DS goes nuts with his doodle too! He purposely rubs himself up against the couch, gets a stiffy and then turns to me and says "Big doodle Mummy"! I don't really know what to do about it either. I don't think it is anything sexual, I think it must just feel good. I asked DH if he remembered playing with it when he was little and said, YEP...it felt good then, just didn't get why! (as it does now I guess )

I don't really say anything to DS about it, if he says he has a big doodle to me, I just tell him he's a cheeky monkey to leave it alone or it will get sore (like Liviam). He only really does it at home when he's running around nude or wearing his big boy pants.

I guess there will be pleanty of time to tell him when and where it's appropriate to play with it. I think he treats it as another toy!!

[Glamourcide]

Lol boys are so cute, hehehe My DD1 has taken to fiddling with herself as well, I'm trying not to make a big deal out of it because I remember my mum hitting the roof the (lol multiple) times she caught me out :/
I just tell her it's not very nice to do it in front of people, she should do it in private, and that she shouldn't do it too often because it will get sore (which it has lol). That, or sticking a pair of knickers on her instead of letting her run around nudie, she soon finds other things to occupy herself with

[lindsaymaree]

lol oh boy, as keen as I am for my little man to arrive...this isn't a part I'm looking forward too! lol I can't imagine how I'm going to begin to explain this sort of thing. Thank the lord for BB ;p

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

It is very normal. At the moment it sounds like it's not too problematic. Now or in the future you might just want to say "people usually do that in private - you might want to do that in your bedroom" No drama, just matter of fact.

[sconeonamission]

Ds always has his hands on it! We tell him not to touch that in public. Not much more else we can do.

[girlonamission]

I'm so glad to hear there are many other little boys (and girls) who have discovered their "bits" and can't keep their hands off it

DS1 is almost 3 and he too has been fiddling with his quite a lot until he gets an erection. It seems to have coincided with him becoming toilet trained and therefore in undies during the day. I find he's worse if he is actually only wearing undies and no shorts over the top, which I guess makes sense because he has easier access to it He also used to run into his bedroom after a bath (still naked) and press himself up against the full length mirror on his wardrobe which would get the same result.

I too was worried about making him feel dirty or ashamed and was not really sure how to handle it at first - and it didn't help that my mother (who can be a bit of a prude) would notice him doing it and immediately make a huge deal about and and loudly tell him to "stop it!" or "leave it alone, thats dirty!" in a not so nice way.

I've tried not to make a big thing about it, but instead, I try distracting him and he usually forgets about it straight away. I've also told my mum to do the same thing and it seems to be working, although occasionally I'll still catch him doing it.

At the end of the day though, I realise its something he'll do from time to time and can't really be prevented, so I just keep sticking to the distraction and diversion techniques.