Discussion About Body Parts & DCPs?

[DBug]

My 3 oldest dck's (2.75yo dcb, 2.5yo dcg, & 2.5yo dcg) have been having more conversations about how they're different at our potty times. We do potty runs all together because the bathroom is upstairs, and it works best for me to do it that way. So they all see each other, and in the years I've been doing daycare, it's never been such a big deal as lately. They've all been pointing out that dcb has a penis because he's a boy and the dcg's don't because they're girls. I am very matter-of-fact about it and generally say something like "That's right, dcb pees out of his penis because he's a boy, and dcg pees out of her urethra because she's a girl."

All of the discussion is fine, I don't have an issue with it at all. I think it's great that they're learning this now. My question though is this: should I be telling the parents when there's a renewed interest in these types of discussions? I was thinking about it today, and I think as a parent I would want to know what words my kids are learning to use and how they're being presented.

Whenever a parent asks, I have no problem telling them what the kids have been talking about. But should I be proactively telling the parents to give them a heads up?

[SunshineMama]

My 3 oldest dck's (2.75yo dcb, 2.5yo dcg, & 2.5yo dcg) have been having more conversations about how they're different at our potty times. We do potty runs all together because the bathroom is upstairs, and it works best for me to do it that way. So they all see each other, and in the years I've been doing daycare, it's never been such a big deal as lately. They've all been pointing out that dcb has a penis because he's a boy and the dcg's don't because they're girls. I am very matter-of-fact about it and generally say something like "That's right, dcb pees out of his penis because he's a boy, and dcg pees out of her urethra because she's a girl."

All of the discussion is fine, I don't have an issue with it at all. I think it's great that they're learning this now. My question though is this: should I be telling the parents when there's a renewed interest in these types of discussions? I was thinking about it today, and I think as a parent I would want to know what words my kids are learning to use and how they're being presented.

Whenever a parent asks, I have no problem telling them what the kids have been talking about. But should I be proactively telling the parents to give them a heads up?

I don't know if you should or not. Good question!! I wouldn't personally say anything unless one of the kids grabbed or touched another child. I make it a non-issue and the kids follow suit.

[cheerfuldom]

I dont allow anyone in the bathroom when someone else is "going". Its important to teach kids privacy and manners and I would never allow one daycare kid to see the other daycare kids privates. I would be very upset if my provider allowed this. I think you should talk to parents and make sure they are okay with this scenario and this discussion. I have no problem with my kids learning the appropriate words but would be livid if my 2 year old came home talking about a penis. I would want to have the opportunity to discuss what words are okay as a family and not have the provider jump the gun and tell everything to the kids herself. Some families may not be okay with 2 year olds having full knowledge and words like this. If you HAVE to bring the kids into the bathroom, I would suggest some privacy measures such as a small curtain put up around the potty or something.

[DBug]

I dont allow anyone in the bathroom when someone else is "going". Its important to teach kids privacy and manners and I would never allow one daycare kid to see the other daycare kids privates. I would be very upset if my provider allowed this. I think you should talk to parents and make sure they are okay with this scenario and this discussion.

No worries, I go over our potty procedure during every interview. All of the parents know how it's done, and they are all okay with it. They would be much more worried if I was leaving the kids unsupervised to change every diaper (about 25/day). This way we're all together and everyone is supervised.

Also, keep in mind that these kids are all under the age of 3. As soon as my dck's are far enough along to start wearing underwear, I let them use our guest bathroom privately (on the same floor as the playroom). They close the door, and I only help when needed. That's when we start to talk about privacy and so on.

[sharlan]

I wouldn't make an issue of it.

I don't see the problem with all the kids lining up to go potty at this age, either. It only becomes an issue when you make it one. Now, by the time they start K, it's one child at a time and the door is closed.

My almost 4 yo discovered he had "bubbles" in his body and he freaked out. Dad calmy explained that the bubbles are called testicules and that's what will help him become a man when he grows up. Can anyone guess what our new word for the week is?

[Ariana]

I wouldn't tell them unless they asked me about it. It's just one of those things that happen at daycare. You're labelling parts not teaching them sex ed kwim?!!

By the way both boys and girls pee out of a urethra in their penis and vulva. Boys pee out of their penis and girls pee out of their vulva

[cheerfuldom]

No worries, I go over our potty procedure during every interview. All of the parents know how it's done, and they are all okay with it. They would be much more worried if I was leaving the kids unsupervised to change every diaper (about 25/day). This way we're all together and everyone is supervised.

Also, keep in mind that these kids are all under the age of 3. As soon as my dck's are far enough along to start wearing underwear, I let them use our guest bathroom privately (on the same floor as the playroom). They close the door, and I only help when needed. That's when we start to talk about privacy and so on.

Ohhh! I thought you meant that you hadnt said anything about the pottying issue.....well I can see how you have already let them know how you do things so that should not be an issue. Still, I wouldn't be okay with a provider teaching certain words.....thats just my opinion.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Lots of parents get up in arms about the "real" words.
I'd ask the parents what they'd prefer we call the private parts, because their child has been discussing theirs when in the bathroom.

[DBug]

By the way both boys and girls pee out of a urethra in their penis and vulva. Boys pee out of their penis and girls pee out of their vulva

Ha ha, that was actually part of the discussion today!:: That dcb has a urethra too, it's just inside. ::

When my own kids were little I decided to go with urethra for girls because so many of my mommy friends were telling their daughters that they peed out of their vagina . I've just never used the term vulva, and although it's probably more accurate in this regard, the kids are already familiar with "urethra".

[wdmmom]

My kids all use the potty at the same time too. 1 goes in, I stand in the doorway and the others line up outside the door by the wall. No one sees each other. They do their thing and move on down the line.

I would keep the others outside the bathroom and cut off the talking by changing the subject.

Boy starts talking about differences, you start talking about lunch or story time or shapes and colors, etc.

I don't do that kind of talk here. I had a DCM that taught her son (3) the proper terminology when it came to all body parts, both boys and girls.

We were at the park and he was going up the ladder and bumped his business. He started going on and on about his penis. Then it turned into a funny about how he has one and I don't and he hit his penis and it felt funny, etc, etc, etc.

I told DCB that kind of talk isn't allowed and DCM got mad that I "punished" him! Psh!

My daycare, my rules.

[Christian Mother]

Ashually I do talk to parents about this...yesterday was my first experience with "private parts". Yesterday I only had 1 3 yr old and 1 2 1/2 yr old and a baby boy. The 2 oldest boys are potty trained and have never discussed their bodies at all...until yesterday. The boys go to the restroom on their own and we don't shut doors here as I will stand at the door for assistance or direction. I feel they are far to young yet to properly be able to do the bathroom routine with out some correction. There are times that another child will want to follow the other child in the restroom and I'll stop them and let them know that so and so is in here to go to the rest room they need to go and play..give this guy some privacy. But I don't make a big deal over it. Yesterday the boys where playing with the doll house with furniture and dolls and they started chatting about there pee-pee's...that is what they call them. I didn't correct their terminology bc i hadn't talk to the parents about what they'd prefer to call it. Really wasn't exspecting to breach the subject til late 3 yrs of age. So I told the boys it's time to have a talk about our bodies. I sat them on the couch and told them that we do not touch each others bodies we keep our hands to our self. And we do NOT touch ours or our friends private parts. No one is allowed to do that but the Doctor or Mom and Dad. I said not even me. I said I will help you if you need me to help you but you are all big enough to go potty on your own. You don't need me to help you but to lift you on the potties. One of my little guys still needs assistance with this bc he's tiny for his age. The other little guy can stand on his own and pee. When the parents came to pick up that was the first thing I addressed bc as soon as the boys woke from nap guess what was the first thing out of there mouths..."We do not touch each others private parts"... I rather it be me discussing with the parents the new things happen at daycare then the kids. It allows for open communication on explanations on the subject..best to be all on board on how to handle situations like this.