My Son Asked Me a Very Odd Question.

Assuming this is a legit question...

I would have also not let him see my breasts but would have followed it up with a conversation. Why did he ask? Why did he want to see MY breasts? What have they covered in health class? Sounds like he's definately ready for the talk (if you haven't had it already)? Dad or another trusted adult might be best for some of it.

If it's not...please go away.

Not something I would show anyone on demand! There is a respect for another's body that should be maintained. I think I would have a talk with him about the sacredness of another. What if he were to go up to some girl in school and ask to see her breasts. As a mother of a girl I would be mortified. He needs a little education in respect and dignity.

trip trap trip trap

Hahahaha....her name is MFarrow. Like Mia Farrow?

I think he's comfortable enough to relay to you that he has curiosities. It sounds like there's respect and openness in your relationship. This is good. However, you need to let him know that you are not the person to show him anything of the sort. Instead, why don't you go online or to the library or to the doctor and show him a generic picture of breasts, explain how they grow and what they are biologically intended to do (feed babies). See if he has any further questions. Oh, and by the way, I don't mean show him a Playboy or erotica online. Be as "sterile" and matter-of-fact as you can.

It is odd that a boy (young man, actually) his age should ask his mom, but not unheard of. You may also want to discuss personal boundaries while you're at it.

so what DID you do?
when my boys were still living at home i tended to be nude around the house most of the time, so for us it wouldn't have been an issue. i think this country is weird weird weird about the human body.
it's hard to tell from your question if your son is just curious about breasts in general, or if he had some reason to want to see YOURS. he may have been being weird and inappropriate- or it might be a demonstration of how deeply he trusts you to be honest with him. there's just not enough info in your post to tell.
i agree that just showing him yours (if they're habitually covered) would not be a smart thing to do. but nor is getting flustered and shooing him off.
there's a ton of context here that's missing.
khairete
S.

Most of us will believe this is a troll question - we get them all the time and they're often like this...

if this is real...

My response to him would have been to understand that while the human body is beautiful and artistic, there are times and people we are meant to see and that family are not part of that. He would not be honoring me or respecting me. I would not shame him for asking - that curiosity is really normal and he felt comfortable enough to ask you. I don't think showing him is the right decision, but handle it in stride, as you would any question about sex.

Therapy.

(Does anyone else remember the troll pencil toppers?)

the question he asked is secondary to something else... if this is a legit question, and your 14yo son doesn't realize how grossly inappropriate that is, you have WAY bigger problems than this one question... I'd suggest some sort of evaluation for your son.

Tell him that your breasts ceased to be a concern of his once he finished breast feeding.

I think you missed you opportunity to talk with him. I'm glad you didn't show him, but you also should have ask him why. It's a very unusual question for a young man that old to ask. At 14 he should have a very firm grasp on what is and is not appropriate. While curiosity in the female body is healthy and natural for him at this age, it is not appropriate to ask to see yours. I'm glad he's comfortable enough with you to not feel ashamed, but I think you need to find out why he asked. There could be something..."off" about his request that you may need to seek professional help for him. It could be that his natural curiosity about the female form got the better of him and it was purely innocent. I think this may be unlikely because he's 14 and not 10, but it is possible. You need to find out for sure.

Good luck!

When you asked him why he wanted to see them what did he say?

Normal at 5, not 14.

Super hard to think that this is not a troll question.

You got all the advice you need below. In the unlikely case that this question is real: a male mentor is needed for your son, now.

What an *interesting* first question!

I wish you had told us here what you said to him, other than "no". Leigh has really good advice for you - I hope you will read her answer several times. I also hope that you will get a teen counselor, a man, and go talk to him first and go through this and any other unusual issues you're son has. Then send him to counseling. I do think that this is a heads-up for you and you shouldn't ignore that there is a problem in your son's mind. If you do ignore it, something might happen and you'll be kicking yourself for not having read the writing on the wall.

This might not be an answer you want to hear, but I really wish you'd do what we are advising.