{"id":87856,"date":"2021-05-25T06:30:29","date_gmt":"2021-05-25T14:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/?p=87856"},"modified":"2021-06-03T06:37:45","modified_gmt":"2021-06-03T14:37:45","slug":"how-can-we-encourage-bodily-autonomy-in-our-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-can-we-encourage-bodily-autonomy-in-our-children\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can We Encourage Bodily Autonomy in Our Children?"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

Bodily autonomy is the right for a person to be in control of their own body. This concept applies to both boys and girls and is something that all parents should teach their kids. When children understand their rights, they\u2019ll be more willing to respect themselves and others. They\u2019ll also feel more confident and secure in their own bodies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few ways parents can encourage bodily autonomy and help their kids grow into the strong, independent adults they were always meant to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teach Anatomic Names<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the best ways to encourage bodily autonomy is to teach your kids the correct anatomic names for every body part \u2014 including their private parts. While this topic might be a bit awkward to discuss, it\u2019s necessary to support your child\u2019s health and safety. Their yearly check-ups are a great time to reinforce anatomic names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using accurate terms can also prepare your little one to talk confidently about the physical changes they may experience as they grow. If you were to teach them cutesy words for their private parts instead, you may unwittingly instill a sense of shame<\/a>, which can prevent them from sharing concerns or worries. Unfortunately, this may discourage them from communicating if they do experience inappropriate touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discuss Unacceptable Touching<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you should also discuss and define what qualifies as unacceptable or inappropriate touching. Who is allowed to touch and see their body? Where are they allowed to put their hands? Helping your kids understand the difference between acceptable and unacceptable contact will help them determine when to consent and when to say no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One your children have a firm grasp on what is ok and what is not, they\u2019ll also be more willing to report wrongful or uncomfortable physical encounters. Instead of staying silent out of fear, guilt or confusion, they\u2019ll feel empowered to speak up and identify assault for what it truly is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teach Permission for Touching<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Touching is a two-way street, however. If your little one wants others to respect their boundaries, they must be willing to do the same for others. Teach your kids that everyone has their own bubble of personal space and they must ask permission before popping it. This discussion becomes even more important as they become teens and enter into romantic relationships where consent is a must.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empower Them to Say No<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most toddlers are already good at saying no. Now, you need to teach them the right things to say no to. For instance, they can say no to adults if they feel uncomfortable with something that is happening to them. Maybe they don\u2019t want to make dessert or eat another bite of food because they\u2019re full. In these instances, it\u2019s best to honor your child\u2019s request to encourage bodily autonomy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Force Affection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Along the same lines, if your kid doesn\u2019t want to hug grandma or give you a goodbye kiss on their way out the door, honor their decision to withhold affection. While their actions \u2014 or lack thereof \u2014 may make you want to teleport back to the days of baby cuddles, it\u2019s important to recognize their displeasure for physical contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice your little one pulling away from affectionate advances, honor them by keeping your distance. Teach them other ways to show affection that don\u2019t require them to yield control of their body instead. Thumbs-ups, high fives, salutes and even quick bows are all good ways to greet others and bid them farewell without making close contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Offer More Choices<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bodily autonomy is all about making your own choices in regard to your body. Therefore, it only makes sense to offer your kids more options when planning activities that involve them physically. For example, you could let them choose their own outfit or how they wear their hair each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, there will be times when offering more than one choice will be just plain impractical. If you\u2019re trying to get them out the door to go to school, there\u2019s no time to choose between five pairs of shoes. However, you can encourage a lifetime of good decision-making<\/a> whenever your schedule allows. Would they like apples or celery sticks for a snack? Limiting their options to include only healthy choices will also help them choose wisely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk About Keeping Secrets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most secrets include details about good things like surprise birthday parties or Mother\u2019s Day presents. However, some situations call for complete transparency and sharing secrets instead of keeping them. For the sake of your child\u2019s health and safety, they must know the difference between good and bad secrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use a feelings scale to help them decide between the two. If a secret makes them feel happy, excited or at peace, then it\u2019s probably ok to keep. However, if they receive threats for telling the truth<\/a> or they feel uncomfortable, scared or angry about keeping a secret, ask them to share it. Reassure them that telling won\u2019t result in punishment and continue to discuss safe and unsafe secrets to maintain an open line of communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laying a Healthy Foundation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s never too early to begin teaching your kids about bodily autonomy. In fact, the sooner you introduce anatomic labels and discuss touching, the more empowered they\u2019ll feel. Even at a very young age, they\u2019ll be able to protect themselves and respect others\u2019 boundaries, which can help them grow into a confident, considerate adult. What more could a parent want for their kids?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of\u00a0Momish Magazine<\/a>. Mom and step mom living her best life while managing anxiety and normalizing blended families. She enjoys pilates, podcasts, and a nice pinot grigio.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bodily autonomy is the right for a person to be in control of their own body. This concept applies to both boys and girls and is something that all parents should teach their kids. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22625,"featured_media":87857,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[205,7383,21,112,7748],"tags":[7859,7858,2080,4653,5971,51,6452],"yoast_head":"\nHow Can We Encourage Bodily Autonomy in Our Children?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bodily autonomy is the right for a person to be in control of their own body. 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