My 5 year old exposed himself on the bus, is this something to worry about?

[BethyVAN]

Dr. Kevin Kennedy....answered that it was not unusual for a child to show his penis to friends in one question from parents (on apr 25 2007)and answered that it is not at all normal behavior in another answer (on Jan 29, 2006......So i'm just wondering which on is it?  Because i received a phone call from the school principal today stating that my son had shown a little girl on his school bus his penis, i was in absolute shock as there have been no behavioral issues before this time....So tell me which of Dr. Kennedy's answers are actually legit?

[margypops]

I made no mention of abuse either I said maybe someone ie another older child had been showing his to your child.children copy ...

[Sandman2]

     I certainly never said anything aboutt abuse of any kind!  What the heck are you talking about.  If anything I said it probably wasn't his fault.

[margypops]

you just sent me a PM regarding my response..I ...and stand by what i said as did others .

[BethyVAN]

The little girl ended up telling her Dad, and he told the school.  My son has just entered kindergarten and actually never went to preschool so i tend to agree with the not understanding social etiquette.  He was very upset to see how angry his Father and I were, i think that was punishment enough.  I've spent hours looking up info on this topic, and all the info i gathered said do not make a big issue of it, so i told him it was very innappropriate and that it's something we never do.  And to sandman and margypops there is no possibility of any abuse in my family as he has never been in contact with any strangers, no babysitters, just me and his father and my parents, therefore with him showing zero signs of abuse it Erks me to no end that someone is saying that.  I viewed many reputable sites all which stated it's a normal thing for boys especially and modesty does not develop until around 7 years old.  Thank everyone

[allmymarbles]

I would disagree on only one point. I do not think he should be grounded or punished in any way. His behavior was simply due to a lack of understanding his social obligations.

[margypops]

You may also want to take the question back to Dr Kennedy who is usually extremely clear and I agree with most of his answers..

[margypops]

I also agree with allmymarbles it laso makes me ask has someone been showing theirs to him ..

[Sandman2]

    Agree with allmymarbles.   Also wonder how it got reported.  The bus driver certainly didn't see it.  There is usually more that goes on here then is reported.  I tend to doubt that he just all of a sudden decided to show it to her.

[SweetAsApplePie]

I am not a doctor but i don't think it's unusall.....sooner or later kids learn about private parts...kids will be kids!!! I don't think he should be exposing himself and he should be grounded with an explation that he can't do that...cause that private!!!! But i don't think it's odd!!!! He probaly just wanted to show off or something....a similar thing happened to me when i was in elementary...kids use to pick on me cause my breast developed faster than the girls in my school so i would get picked on a lot for it!!!! Kids literalty treated me like a freak of nature for being developed and use to grab, point, and laugh at me...they even said that i stuffed my bra...then one day a kid picked on me and dared to prove that i didn't stuff so i pulled my shirt up...and a girl of course told the teacher and the school called my mom....i wanted to slap the girl that told....i didn't show my bare breast....just my little tiny trainning bra.....

[allmymarbles]

I don't think it is abnormal for him to show his penis, but it does indicate that your son does not understand social etiquette. Tell him that now that he is growing up it is not acceptible to do that sort of thing, especial when it involves a girl.