https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 23 May 2026 00:38:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-122568 Sat, 14 Apr 2012 18:03:52 +0000 Arden 122568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I will teach our kids the real names, but tell them that just like their private parts, these are private words.<br /> We only use these words around Mom and Dad, the doctor, etc. They can just say "private parts" to everyone else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-19370 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:36:07 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 19370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My siblings and I were told to say private parts when we were younger. I really have no idea what I will do when I have a child old enough to understand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-19352 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:16:01 +0000 TheFixIts 19352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Funny story: I nannied for a family that was very intense about teaching their kids ALL the terms for proper anatomy. One night, they had friends over and their daughter announced to the table, "Mommy, I think my clitoris itches!". </p> <p>With that in mind, I think I'll keep it to "private parts" until a certain age. Also, funny, we have southern neighbors who call their daughter's vagina a "change purse". Imagine in a southern drawl, "Charlotte! Quit diggin' in your change purse!" Cracked me up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-19186 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:49:40 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 19186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes we do already. I don't say "stop playing with your pee pee" But say "penis" I think it's important.</p> <p>Plus, in french alot of people tend to say "it's caca (shit but in a nicer way) when babies tough anything that's dirty. I don't use that expression at all and actually hate that everyone uses it.</p> <p>I give reasons to my son why not to touch things, and name things what they are. Maybe that's why I hate acyronms and made up words for things that actually have a name ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-19097 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:34:29 +0000 Killer b 19097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I'd like to teach her the correct words, though it's still too soon for me to tell. I may chicken out. Besides, there are some pretty cute euphemisms out there. My friend's son calls it his "weederpeet". Just imagine that in a sweet little boy voice, and it's so cute! </p> <p>Though I agree with the notion that by not being embarrassed or ashamed of the words is the first step into having a healthy attitude towards body image and sexuality. I don't want her to be ashamed like my mom made me. I remember sneaking a 17 magazine into my room and reading that I should get a mirror and check out my vagina to get familiar with it. Before, I was forbidden to even touch it. How unhealthy is that? I don't want my daughter to be ashamed of any part on her body. Ever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-19070 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:15:24 +0000 MsMini 19070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We definitely plan to use the correct terminology when we teach out kids about their bodies. I grew up using the correct terminiology, and I don't find it at all embarassing or inappropriate when I hear kids doing the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-19008 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:32:47 +0000 PitBulLover 19008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, we will use the correct terminology. I was raised to say penis and vagina. There's nothing to be embarrassed about - that's what they are! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-18939 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:47:41 +0000 amy 18939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use proper anatomical terms, more so because my sister's friend had her daughter call her vagina a cookie. Something inappropriate happened at pre-school and she told the teacher that this person touch her cookie and her teacher didn't think anything of it until a couple of months later at a parent teachers conference when the teacher mentioned that her daughter was very possessive over her snacks, she's always tells me that someone touched her cookie. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-18928 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:30:06 +0000 skibobrown 18928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I somewhat disagree on this one, so we'll have to sort it out at some point. I was raised knowing all of the proper anatomical terms. I also was raised knowing how babies are made from a very early age. (My sister was born when I was two, and my mom explained to me exactly how she was conceived and how she would be born complete with anatomically correct details.) I think it caused a lot less confusion for me later in life, since I never had any crazy ideas about sex, anatomy, and genitalia. DH thinks it's a bit much to share all of these details with little kids though, so it's something we've been discussing recently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-18810 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:33:44 +0000 PinkBee 18810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will likely use "lay" terms when referring to external genitalia.</p> <p>I am an anatomist and most terminology we use to describe body parts is "lay" terminology (shoulder blade as opposed to scapula) and I don't have any problem with that.</p> <p>By the time my kids need to know the true anatomical terms they will.</p> <p>Another note is that the female external genitalia is called the vulva. The vagina is just the muscular tube that receives the penis and acts as the terminal birth canal. Most adults don't know this and so I don't see why 2-7 year olds would need to know this.</p> <p>I think if there is embarrassment associated with the terminology it is projected to the children from the parents being embarrassed to talk about it. I am not embarrassed by any of the anatomical terminology (I teach the reproductive system and perineum (external genitalia) annually and so I doubt that my kids will be embarrassed about it just because we choose to use lay terms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-18781 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:35:53 +0000 heffalump 18781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My hubby and I just discussed this. We'll be using the correct terms. I never use them, I say pee pee and who ha. And I would be increadibly embarrassed if my child used those words to her teacher. But I'm sure she'll still overhear me saying my weird words anyway :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-11059 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:19:28 +0000 eeh 11059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I honestly have no clue what we called them when we were growing up so I don't think it will have that much of an impact on my children. I don't think my husband would be comfortable walking around talking about our daughter's (if we have one) vagina so I'm assuming we'll have a different name for it when the time comes. I don't think there's any reason a 2 year old needs to know the words penis and vagina. As our children start getting older and start having questions and learning about their bodies we will discuss the anatomical names and their functions so they aren't the only kids in their class that call it something different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-11052 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:10:09 +0000 theotherstark 11052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm pretty sure we used the anatomically correct terms for the specific parts, and just called them "privates" or "private parts" generally? </p> <p>I actually think that worked well, because we knew the actual terms (in case, as others have mentioned, something hurt or someone did something inappropriate - we would be able to say where it was specifically), but we also knew the less specific term as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10932 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:04:18 +0000 loveisstrange 10932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't remember what my mom taught us either, but I will most likely use the correct terms with our LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10919 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:51:27 +0000 Adira 10919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I'll do what @SorryCharlie said - we'll use the correct term but also interchange it with "private parts" because I think that's a good term for them that's not silly and also imparts information. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10907 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:44:12 +0000 sorrycharlie 10907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JuneBugMama: LOL! kids say the darndest things ;)<br /> @Navy_Mommy: I totally called it a front bum when I was little. I was also super vocal and hung out with adults, so I think my mom might have been afraid of what I might blurt out in public.</p> <p>We will likely use the correct term. However, I'm not totally against calling them by their anatomical name but also "private parts" as well. I will probably interchange both - to cement the idea that our private parts are indeed private. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10904 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:41:12 +0000 kiddosc 10904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't even remember what I was taught as a child, but I definitely plan on using the real words with our LO. It's only uncomfortable for adults to hear the correct anatomical terms, kids don't care. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10893 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:33:16 +0000 daniellemybelle 10893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely. My mom used silly words like "pee pee" and "hoo-hoo" and as I got older it felt kind of silly, but it was kind of too late to transition I guess? Better to start off with the right words, IMO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10879 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:06:10 +0000 junebugmama 10879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 4 year old bonus son and he uses the correct words. Sometimes of course it's uncomfortable since he doesn't understand that he shouldn't talk about his penis is public all of the time, but I would much rather have him know what his body parts are really called. </p> <p>Funny story: We were at a sing a long child thing and the woman was singing this song about how you "See with your eyes, hear with your ears, ..." My bonus son shouts "You do not hear with your penis!" He was very serious about it and it was embarrassing, but very funny. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10852 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:42:37 +0000 looch 10852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd like to think I would use the correct terms, although, right now, I am using Mr. Pee Pee Man. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10844 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:38:10 +0000 cyndistar3 10844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think at a certain point I will start teaching my daughter the real terms. I just know right now, she wouldn't understand it at all and she will just run around screaming vagina because she loves new words... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10838 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:31:56 +0000 Mrsbells 10838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmmm I'm on the fence with this... I think I might feel weird if a three year old was talking about a vagina.. to be honest pre-teen girls dont really know much or use their vagina in anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10836 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:30:45 +0000 Andrea 10836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think so but those words might be hard for them to pronounce at first which is probably why the cutesy words are used. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10829 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:20:59 +0000 HabesBabe 10829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So another question-- were you raised to learn the correct words? I don't think I was (I don't remember what I said-- maybe wee-wee and "privates" or something like that?). Do you think that it caused confusion for us? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10799 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:18:29 +0000 ALittleP 10799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely. And, I'll make sure it's no big deal too. No need to be embarrassed or ashamed. I'd want to be able to know exactly if something was going on with my child (e.g. God forbid someone was doing anything inappropriately, or there was a pain/infection or something else). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10790 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:08:59 +0000 MH.Abroad 10790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, absolutely. Although my Mom did the same thing with me, and I never pronounced them properly, so other people still had no idea what I was saying. My versions were "Peanut" and "Volvo" (like the car). haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10781 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:03:06 +0000 mrsjyw 10781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most definitely. No fuss, no embarassment, and just straight up knowledge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10776 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:00:48 +0000 pelikila 10776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely. Avoid confusion and take the embarrassment and taboo feeling out of them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10773 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:56:28 +0000 themcmom 10773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do because I didn't know the technical terms for a woman's vagina until I was taught in junior high. Even then, I was still confused. It's something that I'm very embarrassed about and I don't want Wombat to go through that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-use-real-anatomy-words-with-your-los#post-10771 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:55:59 +0000 MegWag 10771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a fan of cutesy substitute names. We'll use the proper anatomical words for body parts. I think naming things correctly demystifies them and reinforces that they are body parts, rather than dirty things that shouldn't exist. </p>