Q&A: How should I respond when my child touches herself?

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...

Why it is completely normal for young children to explore their bodies and engage in self-soothing behaviors.
How parents can respond to self-touching in a calm, shame-free, developmentally appropriate way.
The difference between setting healthy boundaries and unintentionally communicating shame around bodies or pleasure.
Why some children may use self-touching as a form of sensory input, comfort, or emotional regulation, especially at bedtime.
How to teach children about privacy and body boundaries using neutral, age-appropriate language.
What to do when self-touching is happening in a shared bedroom or around siblings.
Ways to help children expand their self-soothing toolbox with other calming sensory and bedtime supports.
Why parents' own discomfort or cultural messaging around sexuality can sometimes shape how these moments feel.
How to navigate sibling questions or reactions without making the behavior feel scary or secretive.
The importance of helping children feel safe, accepted, and connected to their bodies while still maintaining appropriate boundaries.

This episode will help you feel more confident responding to common childhood self-soothing and body exploration behaviors with calm, clarity, and compassion.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and coaching to give parents the tools to feel more grounded and confident as they navigate parenthood and learn how to most effectively support their child. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do when your son always has his hands down his pants

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode with how developmentally appropriate expectations, boundaries, body autonomy, and consent with sex therapist Dr. Holly Richmond

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to get your 3-year-old to do things they don't want to do

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(442)

Back by Popular Demand: How to support your child's secure attachment even if you didn't grow up with it with Dr. Miriam Steele

25 Aug 50min

Q&A: What should I do if my child has intrusive thoughts?

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... What intrusive thoughts actually are. How to recognize when ...

20 Aug 33min

Child custody through divorce: Navigating the courts and building a custody schedule that works with Michael Fried

Michael Fried, a family law attorney at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein joins me to help parents navigating divorce better understand what to expect when it comes to child custody, how courts make cus...

18 Aug 52min

Q&A: How can I get my child to be potty trained at night?

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... Why staying dry overnight is very different from daytime po...

13 Aug 18min

How to use music to strengthen your child's attachment, reduce stress, and create more moments of connection with Vered Benhorin

Vered Benhorin, music therapist and Baby in Tune founder, joins me to explore how music and connection can be powerful tools in your parenting toolbox. Together we explore: Why creating just a f...

11 Aug 45min

Q&A: Does my child have anxiety or are they just highly sensitive?

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about... Why some children seem to worry about everything, from strange noises to monsters u...

6 Aug 22min

Back by Popular Demand: What to do when your child says, "I'm stupid," "I hate myself," or "I'm a bad kid"

As part of our 5-Year Anniversary Summer Series, we're bringing back one of the most impactful parenting conversations in Securely Attached history. Few moments are more heartbreaking than hearing y...

4 Aug 40min

Q&A: What do I do when my child says "no" to everything?

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about... Why children who are loving, sweet, and cooperative in many moments can still get s...

30 Juli 19min