Inspired by another thread...

I never knew what a penis was until I was 9 years old, despite having a brother, because my Mum always referred to it as a "whistle". I certainly had no idea I had a vagina, it was all just "bottom".

I was so horribly embarrassed that I didn't know what a penis was I think I vowed then and there (at the age of 9!) that when I had kids they would know the proper words for things so that they wouldn't feel foolish the way I did.

So DS knows it as a penis, although it does sometimes get referred to as willy, and I'm also teaching him "testicles" even though he can't say it!

And when he wanted to know why DD didn't have a penis I tried to teach him "vagina". He couldn't quite say that and then I thought "well, that's not actually anatomically correct" so I tried "vulva" and he just thought that word was just hilarious and is always pointing and saying "vulva" whenever I change her nappy! But he pointed at me in the bathroom the other day and said "gina" so I guess he picked it up.

I also feel quite strongly that "penis" and "vagina" should not be words that anyone should be embarrassed to say...but when I mentioned this at my mother's group they all seemed to think "penis" was a bit too grown up a word.

We also use the general terms "bum" and "bottom".

What do you say in your house?