How to handle 4 yr olds touching each other

amother

Orange

Tue, Apr 05 2016, 2:34 pm

My son always plays with our neighbor's son. They are the same age. Yesterday, I noticed they're hiding huddled in a corner. I sent the neighbor home. I asked DS what they were doing. He said what we were doing last week under the table. ( last week they were showing their stomachs to each other.) When I asked if that's all, he said no. Me: Something in your pants ? DS: Yes.

In short this is what we talked. I asked him if he knows that what he did was wrong. He said yes, he will tell the neighbor that he doesn't want to do this anymore. I told him that if he wants to he can touch himself. And that if he wants me to explain how it works etc he can ask me anything.

Today, when neighbor came they played nicely at first. Then, they started looking for a hiding place. They asked me if they can go behind the couch. I tried to redirect them to play something but after a few minutes I had to send the neighbor home.

A few questions,
Do I tell the mother?
Is this simply two 4 yr olds acting 4 years old, or should I be concerned?
Any punishments?
How should I act/react?

How do I instill in him that this wrong whether mommy is watching or not!!!????

amother

Jade

Tue, Apr 05 2016, 2:51 pm

As soon as my kids are old enough to understand we start talking about what parts of the body are private and that we don't let other people look there, we don't let other people touch us there. And we don't look at other peoples private places or touch other people there. And we drill it. We remind constantly. When changing a diaper or going to bathroom we really try and hope they understand. Have these conversations with your son.

And yes, it could just be innocent, but let the other mom know so she can also teach her kid.