Where to go, Who to turn to, What advice to take about my 6yo? Help!

There can be a lot of conflicting advice around raising kids. So who do we listen to when our kid, along with his friends, has been asking other kids to pull down their pants to see their genitals? Immediately we might think: Omg, my kid is pressuring other kids to do things they don’t want to do! Will he not ask for consent when he’s older? What kind of kid have I raised? I’ve failed! What will other parents say? [insert your own immediate reaction] And anything that comes up is valid. Because we know what the world outside of our homes is like. However, it’s also important to remember that behaviour is communication. So, no you haven’t failed! Our kid is just letting us know, through his actions, that he needs more information. So, how do we get him the information he needs to understand consent and respecting other people’s bodies? This episode gives you 3 options you can use with your 6yo to give him the information that he needs. Of course, first ruling out that there is nothing untoward happening to him or his friends, such as an adult having asked them to pull down their pants, and then we can practice consent and respect in a safe and loving space. You’re encouraged to remember that raising confident and caring kids is not always easy. So please do be kind to yourself. Especially if you didn’t have many role models for this style of parenting. If that’s the case for you my diary is open to have a chat about the specific needs of you and your family. Visit www.sarahsproule.com/bio to book a chat with me here. Until next week’s episode of Sitting in a Car, x Sarah