This is a topic that I felt totally unprepared to write. You can read hundreds of posts about little boys and their obsessions with their dingly dangly bits, but there is nothing, literally nothing, about when your little girl discovers her… hoo-ha.
So, here I am feeling like the only mum to a little girl would has discovered that she has a very interesting part of her body… I can’t be right?
Here is this morning’s experience:
I desperately needed to have a shower, I’m not saying I was beginning to smell or anything but I’m pretty confident that my hair could fry chips. So, I bundled everyone upstairs (much to the delight of Daddy who was trying to snooze) and let the boys play in their room whilst me and Miss Climb-on-everything got into the shower so I could keep her safe and wash my chip pan hair. As I was washing aforementioned hair I looked down to find Edith having what can only be described as an inspection of her genitals, and in great detail! Every time I looked down after that, a little hand was exactly there, having a good feel – just like the boys would do!
What?! I was told girls were more delicate than boys! Boys were only interested because of a dangly piece of skin, and the fascination grew because, well, men.
No one warned me that this was going to become Edith’s favourite spot (rapidly replacing her belly button, which was previously numero uno probing zone).
So why is it that we don’t talk about this? Every time her nappy is off, in the bath, running around nude, in a paddling pool… Everywhere, this has become a go to zone for her hands. Since I’ve asked other mums I’ve been told, it’s the same with their girls, but they are in no way as quick to discuss it or laugh about their daughter’s inhibition at this sweet, curious, innocent age, as they are their sons.
We seem to be able to have a good chuckle at boys obsessions with their genitals, “Haha, typical boy!”, “Boys will be boys”, “Just like his dad, nudge nudge” etc but we don’t have anything to say about little girls and their fascination for their own bodies.
Just to clarify, I in no way think that any child investigating their genitals is doing so in a sexual way – God knows if they are then there is something incredibly wrong – but rather that they have found a part of their body (much like those adorable squishy babies that find their feet) and they are interested in every crease, nook and – dare I say – cranny (*note: I have genuinely sniggered over the rhyming fanny and cranny… It’s been a long day). It is hilarious, their total lack of inhibition… The fact that this week alone I have shouted “Get your hand off your todger” in the supermarket, in a public bathroom and in the car – are all indicative of how it isn’t a big deal and we all have to remind our little gents to leave “Percy” alone. Yet we never hear the same said to girls, but I am currently experiencing proof that girls are 100% no different.
I can only imagine it’s a part of us, as a society, keeping females in the chaste ideal; innocent and uninterested in their bodies, whereas males are the sexual go getters… But that makes me sad because it goes back to the sexualisation of children and belief that their bodily discoveries are sexual.
So, this past week, Edith discovered her hoo-ha, foof, vagina – whatever you want to call it – and she will not leave herself alone. Can we all just have a good giggle and then warn future mothers that girls do, in fact, behave EXACTLY the same as boys when they discover the world beneath the nappy?
H x
Loved this (especially “cranny” which also made me snigger) and you are so right, we often talk about our boys’ love of their dangly bits, but nothing is said about little girls!
This is so true, nothing is said much about girls being explorative etc only boys. My mum told me and my sister that we used to chase my brother because of he’s dodger when she would be bathing all three of us at once she had to stop and laugh lol
Haha!! I have had to tell E off for trying to grab the boys in the bath and yesterday Reuben over heard me telling Adam (hubs) that Edie had bad nappy rash and she needed the cream – I left her in sat with him and the next thing I know he’s having a good look and shouting “yes mummy, Edie’s min min is super red and sore, you must get that cream fast”… ahh to be so innocent!
I have all this to come!! Phil gets weirded out when Toby’s been playing with his willy and I have to keep reminding him that it’s not sexual…he’ll freak when Martha starts!xx
Haha indeed he will! Adam is really funny too – I think it’s a man thing! Adam has also said he’s always more cautious of Edie because of the way that men are viewed in society (and I’ve bleated into his ear too many times about Facebook debates over how “gross” it is for Dads to bathe with their kids… grrr)!
I think parents go crazy about these things perhaps through their own embarrassment but like you say, it’s completely natural and something they have to know and understand what it is (perhaps a bit later in life) but you’re right, girls are the same as boys for adventuring the world and their bodies! 🙂
Exactly Amy! H x
No difference. Girls just express it in a hidden and cute way I guess. Your daughter is such a cutey!
Thank you Jessica! H x
I also think it’s completely natural, whether a boy or a girl. Our little girl is the same and the only thing we teach her is to always be careful because it’s a delicate part of her body and always keep it private. And we will teach our little boy in the same way. 🙂 x
Exactly! I’ve read a few really sad mum group posts about parents shouting at their kids for it etc… it’s just so normal and natural!
Definitely an interesting insight into parenting to say the least lol!
Ha! Yes Laura!
I agree with all you have said. My boy find his private part very fascinating now.
Ha, they are hilarious aren’t they?!
It’s SO common. The number of girls I’ve had to ask to fold their arms on the carpet at school 😉
Bahaha! Hilarious!
I love this, I wonder how many other Mums who have had both daughters and sons have had the same experience!
Corinne x
I think all of them must have Corinne!!
I must be in the minority here but neither of my children had an interest in their generals. But I suppose that’s life everyone is different
Haha – can they talk to my kids please because they are OBSESSED!
Girls are just the same as boys sorry to tell you 🙂 I have been there and done it and worn the t shirt with my 4 x
Ha – I never knew, boys are so openly discussed but no one mentions girls! So funny!
Aah, this post made me snigger all the way through. It’s funny how no one ever mentions that girls do it too, until they actually do it and then everyone is like ‘Oh, yeah, girls are much worse than boys when it comes to checking out their bits!’ 😀
Haha they are!!!! I have lost count of the amount of times I’ve had to say Edie get your hands off in the last few hours, let a lone days!
I don’t have kids – but I’ve seen this discussion before a few times and I just think well they found a new part of their body they want to know what it is, nothing more, nothing less.
I agree Sarah, nothing important about it! It’s just so darn funny!
Haha ‘I’m pretty confident I could fry chips in my hair’ – I know that feeling! Great, funny post 🙂
Thanks Kacie!
I suppose we’re all just human and we discover new things by exploring. It’s part of who we are. 😉
Ha yes, quite right!
We called it a MIMI and that word stuck. As I dont have a boy i cant compare between girls and boys and them learning whats under the nappy but i think if we treat it like normal and teach basics everything should be fine. Interesting post.
Thanks Angela – yes so true, it’s about them learning that its something to do in private but that exploring the body is perfectly normal!
It’s strange how similar, but at the same time how different boys and girls are. I’ve never heard about this fasination with their parts but I don’t have kids and all my friends have little boys x
Haha yep, neither had I until Edie made her discovery!!
Haha this made me laugh! I’m sure it’s perfectly normal – not sure why people think girls are any less curious than boys!
Yes! Why do they? It’s just normal right?
My eldest daughter was never intrigued by it,mths reference she has made is why daddy is different to her. I love listening to my husband explains that one!! My younger daughter is totally different, she is 20 months and always having a grab the minute the nappy is off or a little nosey in the bath. X
Ha just goes to show how different they all are! I just think it’s funny and sweet – done in such innocence! H x