Help! is this normal for 8 year old and 4 year old?

[julia_n]

I was laying in bed with my 4 year old son last week reading a book before bed. He reached over and rubbed my breast and asked me to take my clothes off. I asked "what, why?" and he says "Girls are pretty with their clothes off". I asked him why he says that and he says "(8 year old female cousin) says so".

Fast forward a week, I am doing children's yoga with 4 year old son. The session ends, and he turns to give me a hug as normal. As he hugs me, he says "you gotta hug like this (humping ensues)" I ask him why do you wann hug like that? He replies "no one does that to me"...obvious that 4 year olds don't lie very well, I never said anyone "does that to him". That made me think that someone "may" be doing that to him. So i ask again, WHy do you wanna hug that way? and he says "(8 year old female cousin) hugs that way"

So 2 separate incidents, same 8 year old girl. I understand that a girl her age is curious, but is it normal to act out these curiosities on a 4 year old boy?

I am hesitant to talk to her mother, she will not be the most receptive person...she probably will never belive it if I do talk to her about it. I want to get some opinions first.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It is safe to asume that there is a problem. Ask your son directly what it is that his cousin did with him. It's pretty obvious, but nonetheless see what he describes. All you can do is try to be clear, understanding and reasonable with the cousin's parents. It does make sense to tell them, just as you would want to know if your children were behaving in an inappropriate fashion. Bringing it up will do a service to the cousin as well, because something is amiss there as well.

[julia_n]

Thanks for the insight. I appreciate an objective opinion.

[Maria114]

I would keep your kids away from the little girl.