7 yr old constantly grabbing self

[imakedolls]

My 7yr old son has been grabbing himself all the time for about 8 months.  I have asked him why he does it and he says that it bothers him.  I've talked to him about to do this in private and it cannot be done in public.  He says he cannot help it, it bothers him.  He has no physical issues with his privates.  The school has mentioned it and asked me to speak to him.  I did not want to say much to make him feel bad or embarass him because he already seems to  have some anxiety.  it seems that when he is nervous or working on homework he tends to do it more.  I personally think it's become a nervous unconcious habit and he is mostly unaware of doing it.  How do I handle this?  My husband says not to say much as to not draw attention.  I don't want to mentally damage him by contantly reminding him NOT to do this.   What should I do?  He is the youngest of 3 and we are a very good family he's never been exposed to any type of sexual behavior and I am certain he's not seeing anything on TV.   Can anyone suggest why some boys do this and if it is a sign of something to be worried about?

[imakedolls]

Ticked thanks for your post I am so glad it's not just me.  

My son is the nervous type.  Highly sensitive to sound, noise, critsizm which we try not to give him much at all.   He also has lots of anxiety from what I can tell which worries me for such a young guy.  I thought that anxiety did not kick in until teenage years?  I notice this grabbing happens alot under stress such as homework, when we try and correct him for fighting with siblings etc but it also can occur out of the blue.

He said his jeans were to small so I got  him new ones.  Got new underwear incase the others were either to small or to large.  Besides this I don't know what else to do.  The other kids at school surely will start to catch on if they have not already.  I just don't know what to do.    I tried to ask him what he meant when he said it bothers him and he just said it get's in the way?  Wait until he's 16.

[legomom76]

I am currently going through this my 7 year old son, has it improved as he matured?

[ticked]

Maybe take him to the doctors and see if he can explain what it is that is bothering him. My daughter is 8yrs old and has been touch herself since she was 2yrs old.  I do make jokes with her about it which distracts her but it is hard. There was a time where she just dropped down beside the couch and was doing it with my friend on the couch!!! My friend didnt even noticed but I knew exactly what she was doing. I just took her by the arm and said that was inappropriate behavior and in front of people and that if she wanted to do that to do it in her room where its private.  She understands now but sometimes she still does it. I think my daughter has anxiety as well and this is her way of calming herself down, if that makes any sense.