Page 68 - April Issue
P. 68
the new family | protection
mother, baby & child April 2011 it takes is a little discussion Ages Three to Six says Dr Lodha, “Many parents
to solve the problem. Further overreact when they witness
elaborating, Dr Ashok Lodha Kids three to six years old are or hear of such behavior and
MD and Specialist Pediatrician, heavy-handed scolding is
Specialist Neonatologist Head, most likely to ‘play doctor,’ not the way to deal with it,”
Department of Pediatrics in stressing, “Nor should parents
Belhoul Speciality Hospital says Signs of abuse feel this is or will lead to
that children are human beings promiscuous behavior. Often,
and therefore sexual beings. “It’s Although these signs do the presence of a parent is
hard for parents to acknowledge not necessarily indicate enough to interrupt the play.”
this, just as it’s hard for kids to that a child has been abused, He advises that you may wish
think of their parents as sexually Dr Lodha notes that they may to direct your child’s attention
active,” he says but even infants help adults recognise that to another activity without
have curiosity about their own something is wrong. “The making a lot of fuss. Later,
bodies, which is healthy and possibility of abuse should sit down with your child for a
normal. Toddlers will often be investigated if a child talk. Explain that although you
touch themselves when they are shows a number of these understand the interest in his
naked, such as in the bathtub symptoms, or any of them to or her friend’s body, but that
or while being diapered. At this a marked degree,” he says: people are generally expected
stage of development, Dr Lodha to keep their bodies covered
says that they have no modesty. Sexual Abuse in public. This way, Dr Lodha
“Their parents’ reaction will • Being overly affectionate says that you have set limits
tell them whether their actions or knowledgeable in a sexual without having made the child
are acceptable,” he says and way inappropriate to the feel guilty.
toddlers should not be scolded child’s age
or made to feel ashamed of • Medical problems such as Good versus Bad
being interested chronic itching, pain in the Touch
in their bodies. “Parents can genitals, venereal diseases
make it clear that they expect • Other extreme reactions, This is also an appropriate age
the child such as depression, self- to begin to talk about good
to keep that activity private,” mutilation, suicide attempts, and bad touch, points out Dr
he explains. running away, overdoses, Lodha, “Tell kids that their
anorexia bodies are their own and that
Explanation • Personality changes such they have the right to privacy.
as becoming insecure or No one should touch kids if
Under age three clinging they don’t like it or want it,”
“Where do babies come from?” • Regressing to younger he says and tell them that if
is the question every parent behaviour patterns such as anyone ever touches them in a
dreads. Depending on the child’s thumb sucking or bringing way that feels strange or bad,
age, Dr Lodha says, “You can say out discarded cuddly toys they should tell that person to
that the baby grows from an egg • Sudden loss of appetite or stop it and then tell you about
in the mommy’s womb, pointing compulsive eating it. “Explain that you want to
to your stomach, and comes out • Being isolated or withdrawn know about anything that
of a special place, called the • Inability to concentrate makes your kids feel bad or
genitalia. There is no need to • Lack of trust or fear of uncomfortable,” he says.
explain the act of lovemaking someone they know well,
because very young kids will such as not wanting to be CREDITS:
not understand the concept.” alone with a babysitter or Dr. Ashok Lodha M.D
However, you can say that when child minder Specialist Pediatrician, Specialist Neonatologist
a man and a woman love each • Starting to wet again, day Head of Department of Pediatrics
other, they like to be close to or night/nightmares Belhoul Speciality Hospital
one another. • Become worried about 04-2733333
clothing being removed
• Suddenly drawing sexually
explicit pictures
• Trying to be ‘ultra-good’
or perfect; overreacting to
criticism
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