4-year old daughter rubbing herself

[Anonymous]

Of late, I have caught my 4-year old daughter rubbing herself quite often with the ball or a cushion or something else. I first noticed that she discovered this when she was around 3 while playing on one of the vibrating elmo chairs which she never wanted to get out of. I have read that this is quite common among children even this young though I am quite shocked. I have had a talk with her about doing this only in private but it seems to be happening every time she is playing by herself. I am not sure how to handle this further - do I need to talk to the doctor or do something else? Summer is here and she will be out of preschool soon with lot of downtime so I am worried..

[Anonymous]

She does it because it feels good. The same reason you do it. As long as she's doing it when alone and not dry humping displays in Costco, I don't think it's that big of a deal. You asked her to do it in private, and she is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She does it because it feels good. The same reason you do it. As long as she's doing it when alone and not dry humping displays in Costco, I don't think it's that big of a deal. You asked her to do it in private, and she is.

Agree.

[Anonymous]

It's still upsetting to me. I'm not the OP--my child is nine--but she does it in front of the TV, at night when we're reading her a story...I'm uncomfortable with it. Yes, I've stopped her doing it in public.

[Anonymous]

It feels good. A good friend of mine's son at this age was dry humping everything. We heard a pounding coming from his room and it was his dresser was hitting the wall as he was humping it. It's a phase, he finally stopped (or at least isn't making as much noise anymore). If she does it in public make the gentle reminder and she'll eventually lose interest. No need for the doctor. Totally normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's still upsetting to me. I'm not the OP--my child is nine--but she does it in front of the TV, at night when we're reading her a story...I'm uncomfortable with it. Yes, I've stopped her doing it in public.

9 is a completely different story than 4. You should talk to your pediatrician.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She does it because it feels good. The same reason you do it. As long as she's doing it when alone and not dry humping displays in Costco, I don't think it's that big of a deal. You asked her to do it in private, and she is.

Agree.

ditto.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She does it because it feels good. The same reason you do it. As long as she's doing it when alone and not dry humping displays in Costco, I don't think it's that big of a deal. You asked her to do it in private, and she is.

Agree.

Yep. I remember doing this at that age, while watching tv. My mom would mildly remind me to do it in my bedroom. I was not scarred for life. I now appreciate the effort it took for her to give me the "mild" impression.

[Anonymous]

It feels good. No need to worry, it's normal. Just continue to stress that it should only be done when she's by herself.

[Anonymous]

Yeah… mine started at 2. But thankfully she only does it (or tries before I tell her to stop) when she is sitting on a groceries cart and has that little metal between her legs. She doesn't hump it, but she puts herself all the way down there.

[Anonymous]

My parents always told me. God will be upset if you do that and you will burn in hell. Do you want to be on fire forever? Scared me but it worked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents always told me. God will be upset if you do that and you will burn in hell. Do you want to be on fire forever? Scared me but it worked.

FINALLY, someone with some sense! All you PP's, this is what you should tell your nasty children. It won't be traumatizing or cause sex related shame, and they'll learn to suppress their natural urges like they should!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She does it because it feels good. The same reason you do it. As long as she's doing it when alone and not dry humping displays in Costco, I don't think it's that big of a deal. You asked her to do it in private, and she is.

I tell my kids that they can only do that in their room.

[Anonymous]

As long as she knows it's a private thing to do...let her do it. It's pleasure, it's fun, it feels good and it's not shameful. Try not to scare her or make her feel bad about doing it, simply make clear that she can only do it in private and leave it at that.

[Anonymous]

I don't mean to sound an alarm but we should try to consider all possible causes when it comes to children... I heard on the news that a girl started to do the same thing after her uncle started to abuse her at night while she slept.