Shocking morning....

[JustJen]

So speaking of 8 year olds....
I walked in on mine masterbating this morning. I was in such shock all I could do was say "AUSTIN!" and then back out of the room. I came downstairs and immediately called my husband and emailed our pediatrician. Dh just laughed at me. He said that's what little boys do.
Here's the response I just got from the pediatrician...

It is common for children to masturbate at any age. Of course, this gets worse in the times leading up to and through puberty. There is nothing wrong with him for doing this. Of course, he should not due it in public. You should talk to him about his privates being his business and no one else. During this talk you should make sure he is clear that he should not be touching or looking at anyone else's privates. This is, of course, a phase that will pass.
Dr. B


I am so not prepared for this. Atleast if Jim was home he could talk to him about it. He came downstairs for breakfast and all I could say was something about his privates being private.
I need help with this one.

[Billy]

I have no advice for you but I can just imagine your surprise! I don't know what I'd do if I ever walked in on Kyle and to my knowledge he hasn't discovered he can do this yet...but how would I know :lol: He does take really really long showers though :lol: :hug99:

[Brooke]

Oh, goodness! I am SOOOOO not ready to have a boy!

[Brookamy]

:eek:

[JennyB]

I agree with the Doc. It's perfectly normal at this age. I'm not sure how much of your reaction that he saw. If he saw a look of shock (which would be normal since you were so caught off guard) I would just emphasize to him that he is normal and to make sure to keep it a private matter.

[Silke]

Oh my...:lol:.....I walked in on my brother before, but he was much much older. I told him to lock that darn door next time. I guess, that is quite normal for boys. Your DH surely knows from personal experience. Since I have a boy, I might run into that situation one day, too. Hope NOT. :lol:

[Dori]

Oh my!! Good luck with that one! So.. glad I have a girl at this particular moment!!

[m'honey]

yup, it's normal! I've never caught my 14yo but I'm sure it happens... ah, the joys of having a boy :blush: . I would definitely talk to him later (when you get over your shock) about boundaries, privacy, etc. You may have to get in the habit of knocking on his door -- that he needs to learn to keep closed when he's masturbating -- instead of just walking right in for whatever reason. It's gonna get a LOT harder... :bighug:

[jennp]

If you want me to talk to him, I will :( J/K, but it is often easier when the kiddos aren't yours. Hang in there and remember what a great service you are doing him by A, not totally freaking out at him and making him feel odd and B, ensuring that he knows no one else should be touching him.

[magoo]

Oh, goodness! I am SOOOOO not ready to have a boy!
:lol2: I read this and thought "Why, oh why wasn't it another girl?" :lol2:

Like your ped. said, it's totally normal, but it would certainly be a shock to actually see. :hug99:

[Lora]

OMG!!!! So this is what is in my future! I'm not sure how I will react the first time that happens! :updown:


Lora

[Dori]

:lol2: I read this and thought "Why, oh why wasn't it another girl?" :lol2:

Like your ped. said, it's totally normal, but it would certainly be a shock to actually see. :hug99:

:rotflmao:

[Brandi]

OMG! I bet you were in shock! I know it's normal, but still! I'm sorry you had to walk in on that! I just can't wait - my little innocent boy - He'll never do that :)

[Joan]

YIKES! I probably would have reacted the same! I have a 13 yr old and I am careful to knock before entering his room.

O/T but the other day he was waiting for me in the car. When i arrived, he had his feet up on the dash and his privates exposed (through the bottom of his shorts), looking at himself :confused: I asked What are You Doing??? He replied, "looking for pubes." I just said, "you need to do that in private!"

[Gymboreegirl]

All I can say is welcome to the club and joy of raising boys! This is just the begining of what will come. They are just playing at this point not really masterbating. They are amazed that it turns from frumpy to stick like kwim? The actual masterbating comes in their teens when their body is so to speak ready for it, just leave him alone and don't make him feel dirty or wrong, let him explore the wonders of his body. By all means have a talk with him and let him know that it is normal and if he has any questions that you and your husband are there for him. Good luck and try not to freak out!

[JustJen]

Dh talked to him last night before bed. He told him what he was doing is ok, just to make sure he does it in private. That his privates are for him only...and so on.

I just couldn't come up with the appropriate thing to say. So Dh talked with some of the other Dad's in his unit and had a talk with Austin.

[m'honey]

Jen, what your DH did was perfect... I drilled that same message into my older son for years (my nephew had been molested, so I wasn't about to take any chances with my little guy) and that's probably why I've never walked in on him. As long as he knows that it's ok as long as he keeps it private, he should be fine. They start acting all goofy at the onset of puberty, when the changes in their body surprise and excite them, but you'll survive that too. :tongue2:

OT: is your DH getting deployed? did he find out this weekend? :pray:

[JustJen]

He still hasn't found out for sure. He's down there doing more paperwork today. He came home at almost 9pm last night.
They had him set up his will, he got life insurance for both of us and the all the kids. He had to get immunizations, blood tests, hearing test, vision tests, urinalysis, a full physical, he had to set up all his automatic pay stuff, he had to give them all our debt, mortgage info...... If you read my other post... He had to get dental records done. It's a TON of work. Their doing this for almost 900 guys.
He DID find out that they are sending him to Air Assault school to finish his road march Sept 9-11. He has a school in Arkansas for his admin and training job Dec 5-18. So in my mind, why would you spend all this money sending someone to a school for their full time job if they are going to be getting deployed in Jan anyway. So by that...I'm guessing he's not going. They still have NO ONE to fill his position should he get deployed. And the other 4 guys in his office who ARE going already know and have orders to go. Still...keep your :crossfing and keep :pray: for us that he doesn't get orders to go.

[AahRee]

OMG! :lol: I am SO glad I have a girl! :lol:

[m'honey]

OMG! :lol: I am SO glad I have a girl! :lol:
ok, I have to ask... those of you who only have daughters, you don't expect your little girl/s to experiment with themselves???

I know it's more common for boys to do it because of the accessibility factor but I've read in studies about masturbation that some little girls "discover" how to stimulate themselves too. So, I'm curious, how would you react if you walked in and found your daughter in the middle of it?

[JennyB]

I was wondering the same thing.

I guess I just don't think masturbation is a big deal. It's their body. It's makes them happy. Let 'em! Just make sure they don't do it in public.

I have a friend who used to teach first grade and she had a little girl who used to rub up against her desk all the time. She said she would ask the little girl to sit down and she would stop but it got so bad that she had to call the parents. Can you imagine making that phone call? I am sure the little girl didn't know what she was doing. She just knew it felt good so she did it.