When traveling home from our day trip to Sundance we stopped at a gas station for the routine stuff, gas, drinks and the restroom break. Boman was and often is so kind in taking Bells to the restroom. After this experience I think am from now on going to take Bells to the Bathroom. This is how it all went down.
At this busy stop the men's room is full (not as full as the ladies but full for men) He takes Bells into the stall and she does her thing. When finished Boman reaches for the toilet paper and Raquel states matter of factly and loudly "Daddy, don't touch my private parts or Mom will be very mad at you!"
Boman quickly and loudly replied "that is right no one touches your private parts or BOTH Mommy and Daddy would be very mad"
When Boman came to the car he retells the story and asked what have you been telling her! I admit I got a chuckle out of it because Boman is not a man that would do that kind of thing.
I told him this;
When I help her dress or she is in the bath and discovers her privates I explain that those are her private parts and no one should touch them. They are for hers for now. I also explain we don't have secrets. We can have whispers in each other ears but we don't keep things from Mom and Dad.
I don't go into details about sex. But I strongly feel it is important to teach your child from young what touch is appropriate from another and what is not. I also want her to know that she can and should tell me anything that an adult or a child tells her to keep a secret. I want my child to be less of a target. To be empowered to say no or don't.
I am so glad she gets it. That she even verbalized it in the public men's restroom.
We can't safeguard our children 100%. But I know that children that have open and connected relationships with their parents and are aware of what is appropriate and unappropriated touch they can send the single to those who prey that she is one that will speak up and becomes less of a target.
Now I need to work on 911.