Peeing Like a Big-Boy!

[Anonymous]

My 3 yo girl has decided that she wants to "pee like a big boy". She has an "outie" and obviously thinks that it's a penis. I find the whole thing amusing (except for the wiping pee off the floor bit), but also think that it may be time to explain the difference between boys and girls. My saying that she needs to sit because she is a girl has been met with a "why". The best I could do in response was to say "because you just are".

For the sage moms out there, do you think its too early to talk about gender and if not any tips on how to proceeds.

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 3 yo girl has decided that she wants to "pee like a big boy". She has an "outie" and obviously thinks that it's a penis. I find the whole thing amusing (except for the wiping pee off the floor bit), but also think that it may be time to explain the difference between boys and girls. My saying that she needs to sit because she is a girl has been met with a "why". The best I could do in response was to say "because you just are".

For the sage moms out there, do you think its too early to talk about gender and if not any tips on how to proceeds.

Thanks in advance.

BTW, her pre-school has a communal mixed gender bathroom.

[Anonymous]

That is hilarious. Does she have a brother? I definitely don't think it's too young to explain the difference. Kids like to label things. My three year old son will point to each of us (mom, dad, sister, and even each dog) and state who is a girl and who is a boy. He must have picked it up at day care beause it isn't something we consciously taught him. But body parts are just that--body parts. She obviously knows that boys have a penis. And she must realize that she is missing the toilet when she stands up (and that nothing is coming out her belly button!). I think you just need to show her why boys can pee standing up (or sitting down, if they wish), and why it doesn't work so well for girls (at least not until she gets a lot taller!).

[Anonymous]

Just talk to her about it. We talk about it with our 3 YO boy. Who has a penis, who has a vulva, etc.

[Anonymous]

My almost 3 yo is also into identifying by gender. And we had the penis/vagina talk when he saw my tampons sitting next to the toilet and asked if they were for my tushie. Have no idea how he knew what they were for since I hadn't had a period for more than a year at the time he asked. Anyway, just be matter of fact about it.

[Anonymous]

My daughter did this too at 3 yrs. because she wanted to be like her big brother (who was 5-6). She has seen penises many times, (brother, dad) as we are not particularly wary of nudity (at all actually), so it was easy for me to explain. I also explained that, like me, it will be much easier and cleaner for her to pee sitting down. I told her that boys and men can pee sittting down but its not as easy or comfortable for them so that is why they "have to" stand up. I made it a "we have the better deal but dant tell them thing" and that was that. No more problem. I do think its really funny!!

[Anonymous]

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