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Is my 8yr olds touching inappropriate? Please Help

My partner and I find that my 8 year old's son's behaviour is almost creepy.  He constantly wants hugs, but lays on top of us, holds on tighter than our other kids.  He strokes our arms, legs, etc.  I was swimming with him and he kept going under water and stroking my legs. We have  calmly asked him to stop and explained that hugs are ok, there is no need to stroke, etc.  Don't get me wrong, we are are loving, caring family, but his touching is very intimate.  We asked him yesterday if he had been touched by someone else like this, or any other way that we have talked about before being wrong...and he started to cry.  I do want to point out that he was likely overtired at the time and it was bad timing on my part....I just started to internally panic.
At this point, I'm distraught.  Is this normal behaviour?  ShouId I be concerned?  I know that little ones like to "play" and discover each other sexually, but this just comes across as off.  Please help me.  Am I just being paranoid?

Thx
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Avatar universal
Hmmm...doesn't sound too out of the ordinary to me but if you feel that based on your family morals and intricacies it's not normal - than talk to a child psychologist or therapist.
Helpful - 0
509215 tn?1363535823
I would suggest to try again with the questioning when he's not tired and see what happen. If he gets really emotionally upset about being questioned, then I would be concerned. Have you thought about taking him to a doctor or child psychiatrist? I don't know if these people can help but it is worth a try. I hope that nothing has ever happened to your son but you need to find out so that you can get him the appropriate help if need be. Continue to talk to him about appropriate behavior is needed. Kids don't always understand the first time. Continual reminders.
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