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When I was pregnant with my daughter, the thought that she had lady parts never crossed my mind. I just daydreamed about the dresses she would wear and couldn't wait to grow her hair long.
Now that I'm pregnant with a boy, I cannot stop thinking about the fact that he has a penis. From his lack of circumcision to future potty training, here's what's poking my brain about the junk in my oven:
- There's a penis that's a part of my anatomy. It may be temporary, but the thought that an actual penis is technically part of my body right now is freaking me out. I realize this is all natural and part of the miracle of life, but it gives me the creeps.
- I don't plan to circumcise him and I have no experience in the matter. My husband is circumcised. I dabbled in the uncut somewhere back in my hay day, but that was many years and even more drinks ago. Plus, I wasn't responsible for cleaning them. This element adds a whole new can of worms or worm.
- Someone once told me that when you potty train a boy, you have to help him aim for the toilet by holding it for him. I realize that I'll have to handle it when I change his diapers and clean him throughout his life. I just never thought about the fact that we'll be shooting for a target.
- I also heard that little boys can have involuntary erections. Yes, perfectly natural, but boo. A friend once told me that when she was rubbing her son's back -- it grew. I'm happy for him, but no thanks.
I realize that my fears will most likely go away when I meet my bundle (or bulge) or joy. I'm sure that all of these ridiculous fears will FLY out the window. I will have much larger, more important things to worry about -- like his penis getting a girl pregnant!
I'm wondering, am I alone in being an anti-penite?
Image via meddygarnet/Flickr
Comments (28)
There is actually nothing to do with cleaning an infant's intact penis... don't push the foreskin back until it retracts on it's own easily, which may not happen until the toddler/preschooler years. Pushing the foreskin back in infancy doesn't prevent infections, it can actually cause infections. And I've never had to point my son's penis anywhere while potty training... I did have to ask him to point it downwards when he was learning to potty train sitting down, and a couple cheerios in the bowl to aim at makes potty training fun when they learn to stand! Hope this eases some penis fears!
haha! I have two boys. One is potty trained, and I never had to hold anything for him, LOL
I have 2 boys. I will say that during potty training I never had to handle his junk- so rest easy on that one.
The uh.... 'happy' moments to weird me out, I admit. Care is pretty easy you actually don't do ANYTHING (especially not pulling back the foreskin) for the uncirc'd. And... the thought that I had.. man bits growing in me was a little weird but also a source of amusment.
You dislike women who don't get epidurals, don't see issues with pitocin, won't breastfeed, but aren't going to circumcise? That's actually funny.
Anyway, no matter how mature the mom, baby erections ARE JUST UNCOMFORTABLE to deal with! I hope you're fast at changing diapers because you'll want to cover it up quick! Thank god my son is potty trained... and no, you don't have to hold their penis for them. I'm creeped out that people would try!
Go research care of the uncircumcised penis, or wait until I cover it. My son is circumcised (which is also funny in the same way to some, I suppose), but I spent a lot of time learning about how to care for the unaltered version. You're going to have to advocate for your boy because A LOT of doctors do damage by pulling/pushing on the foreskin or telling you that you have to.
i have a son. he is circumcised. he pees a lot when i change his diaper. luckily i move in enough time so i don't get hit in the face with pee. he gets erections sometimes which is weird. he always pees in the tub when the water is warm. i have never heard of needing to hold a penis when he is being potty trained. i'm making his daddy teach him.
My son is not circumcised and neither will my next son due in Nov. Is it hard to keep him clean? No. Just make sure follow his doctors instructions and advice about cleaning and potty training.
Hey, mama. My son isn't circumcised either. Please check out this link to Care of an Intact Penis. Boys often aren't retractable until puberty. There is nothing to clean, as the foreskin is fused to the head of the penis and retracting can cause pain and infections.
Oh, and by the way, my son gets erections all the time. He doesn't know why. He'll just say "My penis is sticking up!" and I tell him "It's ok, they all do that in the morning." :) My son was potty trained before he was 2. We never had to hold down his penis...it just kind of points that way, in general. ;)
I think, maybe, once you meet your kiddo, you won't be so freaked out about his body. It will just be the package (ha!) the newest love of your life came in.