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anniemm
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| Posted: March 03 2008 at 9:45am | IP Logged
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My oldest daughter is 4 years old and lately I have been struggling with an issue that I am at a total loss about what to do! This post may be TMI, and surely if one feels it isn't appropriate, please feel free to delete it - however, I really don't know where to turn for solid advice on this issue!
Anyway, she's a really good little girl; I have few problems with her. In the last month or so, the problem is that she can not keep her hands out of her underwear. I prefer skirts/dresses, but we aren't 100% of the time. She loves to wear dresses though, and it's completely embarassing that not only at home, but everywhere we go (mass, out to eat, friends' houses, so on) she constantly has her dress up and her hands there! To make matters worse, I have noticed her forming a "habit" (don't want to use the acutal *word* here to keep searches clean) when we are at home using blankets, stuffed animals, toys etc as her means to relaxation, and often entertainment I think. I want to nip this in the bud and kill the habit before it forms into something that lasts into later years and is no longer an innocent thing but a conscious choice.
I know that this isn't abnormal, I just don't know what to do about it. Plus, I really feel like I need a Catholic/Christian point of view, because the world encourages this sort of thing!
Please help! 
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Andrea
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Mama to four little girls (04), (05), (07), (09),& my 1st little guy 11/11
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: March 03 2008 at 2:48pm | IP Logged
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Andrea,
There is nothing inappropriate about asking advice with this sort of thing. That is why we have this wonderful forum.  Unfortunately, parenting isn't always clear-cut and the behavior of our kids is often puzzling and sometimes disturbing.
First of all, make her wear leggings with her dresses. I have a six year old daughter who tends to reach up under her dress, too. She doesn't seem to do it for pleasure and doesn't have any other behavior like that. It seems more like a habit she doesn't even know she is doing. But, it drives me crazy, so she has to wear leggings. That has stopped the behavior.
Other than that, just give her a gently reminder to not do it. If you see her with a blanket or toy, take it very casually, and say something like "Honey, that is not something we do". At her age, she doesn't need much more explanation than telling her it just isn't a good thing to do.
I am sure others have more to offer. Good luck with it.
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Sarah
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| Posted: March 03 2008 at 8:40pm | IP Logged
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Distraction. Disctreet vigilance on your part. Redirection. And clothing that makes it nearly impossible. . .this is the key. One-piece type shirts under her dresses with leggings? Snap-crotch? (I know this makes potty harder on you).
With my boys I go to overalls when we get toilet issues. Not sure what an equivalent would be for girls. Since she's only 4 you could go to girly overalls. Also you could do tights with shorts over under skirts for public.
Rest assured that some kids are habit type kids. I have some that get a new very silly habit every couple months. Sniffing, nose issues, punching his leg constantly, to name a few. . .
I just keep nicely bringing it to his attention and redirect. If you make it hard to do, she'll probably outgrow it.
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Sarah
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| Posted: March 03 2008 at 8:42pm | IP Logged
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I also thought of the possibility that maybe she needs to empty her bladder more.
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mrsgranola
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| Posted: March 03 2008 at 8:44pm | IP Logged
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I was wondering if she could have a rash or yeast infection? Sometimes little girls get too much soap on a regular basis on their bottoms and wash away the good bacteria and get yeast infections causing itching...
Hope this makes sense...
JoAnna
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Julia
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| Posted: March 03 2008 at 9:05pm | IP Logged
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mrsgranola wrote:
I was wondering if she could have a rash or yeast infection? Sometimes little girls get too much soap on a regular basis on their bottoms and wash away the good bacteria and get yeast infections causing itching...
Hope this makes sense...
JoAnna |
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Yes. Or a UTI. And seconding all the other good advice above like distraction and redirection.
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Topic: I need advice about my daughter
