Mynyel Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 I don't know how to handle this. My oldest son will be 10 in March. He *constantly* has his hand (or hands) in his pants. I am constantly telling him it is gross but he does it anyway. Anyone BTDT and know how to break that habit? It drives me nuts! Want to say it is only at home... not in public. Thank you Lord! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ipsey Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 My brother was like this. My parents never told him it was gross, but they told him that whatever he wanted to do with his p*nis should be done in private. If you have a private bathroom policy, you can tell him that touching his private parts is a private thing, like going pee. You can tell him that most other people don't like to see him touching his private parts, just like they don't want to see him pee. Hope this helps. But I'd avoid telling him it's gross. It's just not appropriate in a mixed setting :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCyndiGirl Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Yes, we do what Ipsey said. Don't say that it is 'gross' as he may think you are calling his PENIS gross and it's not, it is a part of HIM who you love very much. Certain things are private, bathroom activities. That is one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 I have told my boys from a very early age that that behavior is absolutely unacceptable in public, and public includes anyplace that is not alone in the bathroom or bedroom with the door closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cera Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 I have told my boys from a very early age that that behavior is absolutely unacceptable in public, and public includes anyplace that is not alone in the bathroom or bedroom with the door closed. It is an issue with girls as well and this is our rule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 I had a girl who did this, I made her wash her hands every. single. time. she did this. Eventually the *whatever* wasn't worth the effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Please excuse my randomness here. The mouth and the genitals are the quickest way to satisify sensory cravings. Maybe you can give him things to chew on (works for my son in public as he doesn't realize he's doing it). Is he just fidgeting, or more? Fidgeting is my son and we're working on ways to get him to realize what he's doing (like chewing, telling him to put his hands on his ears). More, needs to be done in your room! LOL. You might want to pay attention to what he's doing. Is he hyper/impulsive and the hands need something to do? Is he scratching a bit longer than acceptable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 my boys weren't like that but I had a friend who dealt with this. She didn't want him to feel badly about exploring so she constantly told him, "Only in your room, son," "that's not polite, son. Only in your room...." etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Please excuse my randomness here. The mouth and the genitals are the quickest way to satisify sensory cravings. Maybe you can give him things to chew on (works for my son in public as he doesn't realize he's doing it). Is he just fidgeting, or more? Fidgeting is my son and we're working on ways to get him to realize what he's doing (like chewing, telling him to put his hands on his ears). More, needs to be done in your room! LOL. You might want to pay attention to what he's doing. Is he hyper/impulsive and the hands need something to do? Is he scratching a bit longer than acceptable? if this is the case, I'd get him some Thinking Putty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mynyel Posted November 5, 2011 Author Share Posted November 5, 2011 Thank you ladies! I will do that from now on... private stays private and wash hands after. :) I do want to get thinking putty but I am waiting for Christmas! It will be a stocking stuffer! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Does he have a non-metaphorical itch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 I was thinking about an itch as well. Perhaps a question time or a trip to the Dr is also needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 If he needs help remembering: overalls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyinND Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 My son does this when he has an itch or "adjusting" I just wish he was a little more subtle about it. (It's surprising because he is VERY modest) He probably thinks he's being subtle...:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 does he have yeast overgrowth in the gut? does he crave sweets all the time? carbs - which turn into sugar? easy to treat, and yeah, it can make a difference. not a big deal to get the yeast cleanse from a health food store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skadi Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 I just wanted to say that I've known a few adult men who were never broken of the habit. I did my best to pretend not to notice when I was around them, but I was pretty shocked and uncomfortable being in the presence of a man who had his hand down his pants every five minutes or so. I don't think with any of these men that it was a pervy thing -- they were just used to being able to "readjust" whenever they wanted and did it as freely as another person might scratch their arm or rub their nose. I can't imagine how many women they've sent screaming for the hills. One guy I used to know was good looking, tall, and smart -- but if I had been single at the time there was no way I'd entertain the notion of dating a guy with that embarrassing habit. Just goes to show that there are some things parents absolutely have to put a stop to, or else the kid may end up sabotaging himself in ways he doesn't even realize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 No experience, but a thought--would different underwear help solve the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 My 4yo dd is like this. We just tell her that's private. Making a big deal of it won't help IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Does he have a non-metaphorical itch? does he have yeast overgrowth in the gut? does he crave sweets all the time? carbs - which turn into sugar? easy to treat, and yeah, it can make a difference. not a big deal to get the yeast cleanse from a health food store. :iagree: this is something to consider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 No experience, but a thought--would different underwear help solve the problem? When my boys are adjusting the package (outside the pants) more than usual, it usually means they have outgrown their underpants. This may be a completely different issue, but also something to consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 That's exactly what was going on with my son. For some reason when I saw he needed larger sized pants I bought him new pants, it didn't cross my mind to buy bigger underwear too. Since, I don't see him in his underwear any longer I didn't put two and two together. Now, every time I buy him new pants I ask before we head into the store, if he needs larger underwear also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 When my boys are adjusting the package (outside the pants) more than usual, it usually means they have outgrown their underpants. This may be a completely different issue, but also something to consider. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abigail4476 Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I agree with previous posters that you should avoid the "gross" comments. Calmly let him know that if he needs to scratch or adjust himself he must do that in private. I also ask my son if he's itching or if he needs some powder. Make sure he has what he needs to attend to his personal hygiene. A plethora of clean, cotton undies, Gold bond baby powder (love that stuff), and a good supply of hand soap at the bathroom sink. Technically it isn't gross to touch your own body. It's only gross if you don't wash your hands afterwards and it's rude to touch private body parts in public. As kids get older, they need to understand that "public" includes family members. Sometimes it's hard for them to remember that when they're at home in their comfort zone. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momma2boys Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 We tell our sons that touching themselves is private and should be done in private. It works for us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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