This can be a difficult topic for parents to bring up, it’s not always easy to talk about private parts, let alone the complexity of inappropriate touching. Where do you start? How do you bring it to your child’s attention without scaring them? When is the right time?
To be honest, it wasn’t really even something we started addressing with our boys, but with Big Brother now being five, I knew it was time as soon as I saw it in my inbox. One of those palm to forehead moments, ya know? So I was grateful for the chance to look the book over and see if it would be helpful for our talk on the horizon.
Turns out the book is perfect!! Not only is it written from a little boy’s perspective, it gently and simply talks to kids about where your private parts are, why we keep them private, what inappropriate touching is, and even goes much deeper into how to handle a situation if someone asks to touch/see your private parts, if someone asks you to touch/see their private parts and about secrets and bribes.
Since the book was written so nicely I decided that instead of just talking to Big Brother that we would sit down and look at the book together, I was glad to have a ‘script’! Big Brother picked up on the concept of Green Flags and Red Flags right away and shouted ‘Red Flag!’ at different parts of the book when it discussed bad touching.
I decided to save part of the book with more details or in depth topics for another time and stuck with the basics for our first talk. It went really well. Later that evening I helped Big Brother tell Daddy about the book we had read, this always gives me a good idea of much he absorbed, when he retells events or information to Dad. He did a really good job and I could tell he knew what it was all about, he also still refers back to the book weeks later so I know he’s got the first part down pat. Next time we will discuss a little bit more.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is ready to talk to their child about setting boundaries for their private parts, and how to deal with the problems and challenging situations associated with inappropriate touching. This book makes it really easy and comfortable to have those conversations with your little ones and kids will be armed and ready if the situation ever arises. They will know they have the right to say no and tell someone they trust.
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