"Taking the tack that this yummy nipple treat was Fido abuse was bound to get a stunned reaction from your son. I'm sure he could assert that Fido was not in any way coerced into licking the peanut butter. There has been a well-noted societal shift in the last generation toward parents being way more involved in their children's lives, and children feeling able to tell way more to their parents."
"But this episode makes me think there was something to be said for the era in which parents were off at cocktail parties oblivious to what their children were up to. What happened with Fido sounds indeed like crazy, innocent, hilarious fun. A good time was had by all, especially Fido. Your son wasn't reporting to you because he felt somehow violated, but because he wanted to share what a good time he had."
A nearly 13-year-old boy attended a sleepover where the boys smeared peanut butter on their nipples and had a dog lick it off. He reported it to his mother as something funny, and she forbade the behavior, calling it dog abuse and a sexual act, which left him confused and embarrassed. The mother's reaction may have been an overreaction because the boys may have viewed the act as innocent amusement rather than coercion. The situation provides a chance to calmly explain boundaries, animal welfare, consent, and the sexual connotations of the act while avoiding shame or panic. Encourage continued openness so children feel safe sharing experiences in the future.
Read at Slate Magazine
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