12 year old son exposed himself

[schooler123]

My 12 year old son just exposed himself to his 13 year old sister because she was annoying him. Is this a normal thing to do? I am really concerned that this may indicate some real problem, but then again it is normal for boys to be very vulgar. It just seems like this crossed the line and I don't know what to do.

[george73]

Make a big deal at it will happen again. Thats what i THINK WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU OVER REACT THE FIRST TIME. bUT WARN HIM WHAT WILL HAPPEN THE NEXT TIME. eVEN IF YOU ONLY HEAR ABOUT IT AND DON'T REALLY CATCH HIM AT IT. hE NEEDS TO KNOW IT IS something that could hurt his siser for the rest of her life. I was a victum of incest. It is not fun even at 35 and having 4 kids. It still hurts and it affects more than you can imagine. I realize it is not incest to just expose yourself but it is not a big step once you get used to doing that much. I have heard of siblings getting interested in each other and having a sexual relationship of not just once or twice. Even if it is willingly on both sides when young it will affect them both later as incest.

[schooler123]

Once again, thank you for helping me with this.  It's always good to get some objective advice. I really appreciate it.

[Mr_Questions]

I think you should not punish him. Having a lecture is bad enough. If you really got throug to him, then he will never do it again.

                                                                                Best of hope
                                                                                Mr_Questions

[musicmama]

You may tell him if this happens again, there will be serious consequences, and then follow through with seeing a therapist etc.  Some boys do things that are a bit crazy without thinking.  I'm not saying it's ok, but he probably wasn't thinking about his actions at the time.

Good luck and God bless.

[schooler123]

Thank you so much for your responses. Of course, I did talk to him and told him to never do it again. He said that he knew that adults can go to jail for doing something like that.  Do you think I should have punished him (ex. take away TV time, etc) or have him talk to a therapist? Or should I just leave it alone for now and wait to see if he does anything like that again?

[musicmama]

He is lucky this was his sister, instead of a classmate.  You should talk to him, but make sure his sister doesn't react if he does this again.  A strong reaction may motivate him to keep this up.

Good luck and God bless

[treazzure007]

i had a couple of children (both 9 yr old boys) get in trouble for this in the afterschool care program.  it is definitely crossing the line and is not to be tolerated.  he needs to be talked to and told it's inappropriate behavior.  you could even tell him the truth about what happens when men do this type of thing in public.  they end up in jail