Picky Pickerton

Maybe that area is very sensitive so it may be the type of detergent you are using or his bath soap. I would try switching one at a time to see if either helps!

You might try changing detergents, or having him use powder after his shower/bath. He might be getting sweaty and itchy, which I think might cause a fungal infection. Try talking to his pediatrician.

I have a 9 y/o, almost 10, son as well. We realized that ours wasn't washing good. I noticed stinky hair, feet, not brushing teeth good enough. I told my husband that he was scratching all the time and he immediately knew what the problem was. He is just now at the age where he wants his independence and privacy, but not quite mature enough to handle it. My husband talked to him about it and it has gotten better. He told him to wash good, with soap down there, or we would have to start helping him to make sure it was getting done. Of course, that scared him into doing it. Keep in mind, boys are totally different than girls. God created them to accomplish completely different jobs. So, try not to make a big deal out of it. It really is normal. Also, his friends are going to be more careful around you. They may be just as bad in front of their mamas as he is in front of you. Best wishes raising your little man!

For the time being, until you decide what else to do, each time you notice your son doing this, just quietly tell him he must go to his room to do it. That no one else wants to see him do it. Don't tell him he can't and don't reprimand him...just explain it's something he should do in private. Be consistant and perhaps it will make him more aware of his actions and will, hopefully, get the point across that it's not something he should do in public.

I agree with the detergent thing. Free and clear (All and Purex brands have this).

Another thing you may start doing is explaining to him that no one wants to see him do this. If you see him doing it, tell him he has to go sit in the bathroom for 10 minutes (appropriate time for this age)(you may want to set a timer) because he is doing a "bathroom" activity.

I have seen a few kids do this since I began teaching day care (various ages) 12 years ago, but neither of my own boys have done it. [shrug]

Hope it helps.

P. <><

I would try using a milder laundry detergent and see if that helps.

It's a stage,my 1yr old grandson started doing it and I was really concerned but my girlfriend who has 2 g-sons said the first time they hurt themselves they will stop it- so I'm hoping he does it real soon [hahahahaha]

I have NO ideas or advice, I am just cracking up at your "Picky Pickerton" title!!! Good luck, girl!! I'm getting my first boy in a few months, so I'm sure I'll be posting such questions someday!!!

Did your husband check to make sure it's not jock itch?

S.

Honestly its quite normal but I have a 4yr who would do that all the time. For me I was just like you IT DROVE ME CRAZY! Well we finally got down to the problem 1 was that he wouldn't swipe and it would stay wet a little so it would itch him alot. The other problem were is undies.We changed them to boxers or he also uses boxer briefs which really help out a lot.I really hope this helps you.

I would call his physician and see if perhaps it is more than a stage he is going through. My son did play with himself as a toddler but learned that it was not appropriate to do that and stopped. I have not seen many boys in my son's school doing said behavior either but again, call your pediatrician and talk to them...even it is just a stage.

J. S.

If he's SCRATCHING, check out these 4 possibilities:
1) Contact dermatitis, from contact with irritating soaps or laundry detergent. In my 23 years as a mom, I have seen contact dermatitis 3 times: once caused by Ivory bar soap on a baby; a second time caused by too much Tide detergent added to washing machine and it did not get rinsed completely out of a little 6-yr.-old girl's swimsuit, and her tummy got an itchy rash within an hour or two of wearing the suit in a pool; the third time was when cheap detergent was being used at the high school by football team managers for the team practice jerseys with not enough rinse water to get the soap out (my teenage boy developed an itchy rash over upper body). Wash your son's underclothes in extra hot water and give an extra rinse. You will be amazed at the amount of soap that comes out during an extra rinse cycle. After observing this, I started using only HALF-as-much or a THIRD-as-much detergent as the instructions say. I also use the new blue "dryer balls" (found at Bed, Bath & Beyond) to eliminate the need for fabric softener sheets.
2) Bed bugs. Look for tiny, red welts. My oldest came home from Canada with these tiny, itchy bites all over his lower abdomen after sleeping in a borrowed, old sleeping bag. YUK! If you traveled recently, perhaps your son brought some bed bugs home on a stuffed toy or something and they are in his bed.
3) Jock itch. Caused by the same fungus as athlete's foot. This fungus thrives in damp, moist places.
4) Cheap, petroleum-based bubble bath. Does your son sit in a bubble-bath, then exit the water without rinsing off?

If he's not scratching, but just touching . . . hmmm, I am at a loss . . . but you already got pretty good advice from others on that.

What about a change in laundry detergent or fabric softner? That may help too. I definitely agree with the advice to enforce that it needs to be done in private.

Ignore it. The more attention you bring to it, the worse it will be. Let natural reprucussions be the motivation for him to stop doing that in public. When you say "picking" I assume you mean "touching or rubbing". Perfectly normal. All boys do it. He will learn to do it in his own private time.
OH and I would wash his undies in a dye-free detergent just in case that may be bothering him. But do not call the pediatrician and ask why your son is touching his privates. Do you seriously need to ask "why"? I am not being mean but all boys do this.

It depends on what you means by "picks". If he is just touching himself, then I'd suggest your husband (you might embarass him) have a talk with him about it and tell him what's appropriate behaviour in front of other people. OR, if you mean he is scratching, or something that shows it could be irritating, I would definitely ask your husband to take a "look" and see if there could be some type of skin irritation. Also, you might try a chemical-free laundry detergent.

Good luck!

Oh wow!! Welcome to a new phase of mommas with boys in the world of motherhood. He has discovered his body part and it feels good to play or fondle himself. As the others have suggested have him do it in private so that no one else has to observe his actions. His friends probably do the same thing just that he is the one that does it publicly while they do it privately. Remember some boys just as girls mature early and you may have one of those on your hands (no pun intended) and you will have to be more prudent. Does he have a strong off odor when walking by you? If so, he is beginning to change into a young man. Being that you have an older daughter, this is a whole new world for you but you will make it through. Just try to keep dad more involved in the day to day things of men. You may want to buy a book about growing up and changing something like "What's happening to me?" so that you understand what is taking place and feel more comfortable around him. Good luck to you. The other S.