18 September 2023 , 14:21
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Children say the funniest things, but they can also ask the most inappropriate questions at the most awkward of times. Although it may be uncomfortable at the time, your child's inquisitiveness is likely to bring laughs for many years to come - and it can be used as a hilarious bargaining chip in the future when you're trying to embarrass them in front of their future partner when they're older.
A woman shared that she showered with her three-year-old son, but after an incident where he enquired about her "penis", she decided that it was probably time to stop, despite the fact they used to "all the time."
Taking to Reddit, the amused mum wrote: "Well my toddler is now at the age where he is noticing differences. First, he asked why my penis had so much hair. So I explained that I'm a woman and women don't have penises. We have vaginas and lady parts. Then he asked if it was dad's fault that I didn't have a penis. I told him no, I was born this way. He thought about it a few moments before looking horrified and told me to get my lady parts away from him. Then jumped out of the shower."
"I think that will be the last time we shower together," she added. In the comments, parents were quick to point out their cringe-worthy anecdotes, laughing along with the mum and letting her know that she's not alone in her embarrassment.
One wrote: "The first time my son noticed, he asked if my penis had fallen off. I explained about lady parts, and he insisted that he had seen my penis before and that it definitely fell off." Another recalled: "My three-year-old understands after I told him girls and women have no penises. But now he goes around saying 'X is a girl. X has no penis.' He does that with everyone, including the ladies at the supermarket."
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According to developmental psychologist Susanne Ayers Denham, it's perfectly normal for toddlers to start asking questions about genitals at this age. Writing on Babycentre, she said that the best approach is to be matter-of-fact with them, and keep it "simple and straightforward."