category: Blog
Are we such a sexualized society that we can’t even shower with our child without getting looks like we might be doing something inappropriate?
.
Recently a friend of ours made a comment about how showering with his one year old daughter would be disgusting. He went on to say that if he did that, then there must be something wrong with him, that he would wonder about anyone who takes a shower or bath with a child of the opposite sex.
.
Really?? I take a bath/shower with my 20 month old son and I have never felt awkward about it. He is my son; as his mother, it is my job to help him with his hygiene. Call me lazy, but sometimes I just don’t feel like bending over the side of a bathtub and washing him up. It’s so much easier just to climb in, clean him and splash around with him. Does that make me a bad mother? Is that inappropriate of me?
.
The next question that comes to mind is, if its OK, for me to do it now, at his age, then when does it become inappropriate? Where’s the line? For that, I think I will follow his lead. When he is able to wash himself sufficiently and asks for his privacy, I will absolutely give him that.
.
I think the discomfort with this stems back to boys and girls not being taught about their bodies when they are experiencing the wonders of puberty. Their bodies (and others) become something that is overly sexualized or something they are embarrassed of, or a little of both.
.
We need to teach our kids that their bodies are so much more than sexual playthings, so later in life they can enjoy being a parent without feeling shame and discomfort.
