It has absolutely nothing to do with being sexually abused as one poster stated. I used to do this as a child and have never been abused.

It's a physical sensation that she has discovered and it feels good.

She does not know what sexual pleasure is at this early stage, she just knows it feels good.

I wouldn't tell her it is something she shouldn't do or only do in private because that makes it sound shameful or naughty.

She's a child. No one will blink twice if they see her rubbing herself on anything.

I do wonder about UTIs when DD doesn't seem able to stop scratching but if yours is clearly just playing with herself, I don't see what the ped would be able to contribute to the discussion.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I would just say to her "That's something to do when you're alone, either in your bedroom or the bathroom. Do you want to continue or would you like me to continue reading to you?"

I don't know if you specifically posted this advice in previous threads on the same topic or someone else, but I would like to thank you. I read this awhile back and am now saying to my 3.5 year old son, not frequently but not not infrequently either. It's direct, clear, non-shaming, and appropriate. It also really works, as I've never, ever seen him run up the stairs so fast before.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I would just say to her "That's something to do when you're alone, either in your bedroom or the bathroom. Do you want to continue or would you like me to continue reading to you?"

+1000

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I would just say to her "That's something to do when you're alone, either in your bedroom or the bathroom. Do you want to continue or would you like me to continue reading to you?"

That seems a wise move to me.

--An Early Self-Pleasurer

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.

I would just say to her "That's something to do when you're alone, either in your bedroom or the bathroom. Do you want to continue or would you like me to continue reading to you?"

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why should she talk to her ped? It's very normal at both ages but kids need to be taught that it's private.

Anonymous wrote: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.

We should learn the possible causes....of human sexual desire?