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I know what you are going through. I was totally upset the first time I caught my son. He is now 14. It's natural for them to masturbate. Seems like boys really start to knotice they have that other part of the body when they are very young. You just need to explain to him it is done privately behind a closed door. Don't tell him it is wrong. I always, always knock on my son's door if it's closed.
I can tell you that I know this feeling all to well. My son who is now 16 years old and started doing this at an early age. I was so upset when I found out that I cried too, feeling like a was failing as a parent. You see I was brought up that things like this were just not something you talked about in the home. Today, it seems that it is important to have this discussion even with our children at a young age. They are even learning things in school that we did not even know until we were alot older. I can tell you from experience that I had to seek God on this matter because once I found out I started looking and observing things all around me. One night I was awaken (I know that it was God) at two in the morning and something told me to get up, I wanted so bad to go back to sleep, so I turned over and I heard it again "Get up" exhausted I said ok Lord let me know ....again "Get up" so I crawled out of bed and went into the kitchen where we had our computer hooked up and my son (13 at the time) was looking at pornography. I was shocked and horrified. I cried and I hurt. My son looked at me with such shame on his face. Not the look of "oh no I got caught" but the look of total shame. The next day I had my internet turned off. That night I found a note on my pillow it was from my son... he told me he was so so sorry for what he done and he cried out to me in that letter asking me to please pray for him he did not want to feel this way anymore. It stolen my sons innocence at such a young age. I got down on my knees with my husband and we prayed. I went to my son the next day and I sat down and talk to him about what he was going through. I let him open up completely to me.
That next week I went to the christian book store just looking for music cds and on the shelf was a book "Every Young Man's Battle" I opened it up and low and behold there was a full section on this very subject. I purchased the book and gave it to my son who read it immediatly. I have also read some of this book and I want you to know it is never too early for you too talk to your child. I encourage you to read this book maybe it will help you how to approach your son. Know this .... your child needs you now more than ever. It does stir mixed emotions up inside. I will be praying for you that God will guide you in this matter.
Thank you lloveGOD, lisav, and ILive4Him for opening up and posting here. The fact that you are willing to be so transparent about your concerns for your children is such a wonderful example of what true "community" is all about. Well, as you saw by just the short interaction you each had here, this issue is one that many parents are going through right now. Believe me, you're not alone (Take a look at a thread here and here)!
And, unfortunately, like lisav mentioned, parents are having to address these sexual issues earlier and earlier. So, you're a step ahead of the game by looking into this now! Well, I know you guys have all provided eachother with some great advice already. But, I just wanted to make you aware of an article series we've done called "Healthy Childhood Sexual Development," as well as some comments Dr. Dobson has made on this issue. They may provide you with some insight into what you can expect during the years ahead, and how you, as parents, can react.
Also, you may want to take a look at the books How to Talk Confidently to Your Child About Sex and How to Talk to Your Kids About Sexuality. They give some good pointers on how to bring up what are often awkward conversations for parents!
I'll be praying for you all. I can see you're great parents who care about your children deeply. Keep letting us know how you're doing, ok? Blessings!