Son Found Pornographic Pictures in Woods

Wow, R., it seems like you did an excellent job in a very uncomfortable situation. To give you closure (because I think that he will be fine) I would suggest bringing up to him the fact that you were so proud that he came to you right away. This way you are not bringing up the yucky part but you are telling him in so many words that you want him to continue to come to you in the future if ever there is something that bothers him. It sounds like you did a great job raising him for him to be so comfortable coming to you both first, and by the way...it was a good sign that what he saw bothered him.

It sounds like you did a great job! I would probably approach it again casually to check in on his feelings.
Good luck!

You did fine. Only talk about it as he wants to talk more about it. Eight year old boys are more into things than we were as eight year olds. I myself am more concerned about violence in the video games that are widely accepted.
Marge Wood, 68 yr old grandmother of 8 year old boy who says violence is cool and only nerds are Christians. (He knows I don't approve of violence.) I said it was because he has never seen any actual violence. (Violence is also very exciting.)

These are the times that it is soooo hard to be a parent, but you have done all the right things so far. I think that you keep an eye/ear on him, but unless you see or hear such as bad dreams or talking to other young kids or something that you question the origin of the behavior, I think it best to let him bring it up...just leave the door open and praise him for his good sense!

Hang in there!

R.,

Not really advice, but more an affirmation. My oldest is only 4, but I'm a firm believer that children respond best when you are open and honest with them. She was very involved when I was pregnant with my 1-year old, including my gestational diabetes, HELLP syndrome (like pre-eclampsia, but worse - I don't do pregnancy well), and the month of maxi pads afterwards. . . I just explained things down at her level, and continue to do so.

I think you reacted just as you should have. I agree, that no child should have to be subjected to to those kinds of images, but your reaction was even more important than the fact that he found them. Every child should know that his/her parents are there no matter what, and based on your posting, I think you did that beautifully.

As long as your son doesn't appear to be having further issues with it (nightmares, changes in behavior, etc.), then I think you should let it lie for now.

M.
SAHM of 2 girls, 4 and 19 months.

My son found pictures just the other day. Wonder if we are in the same area?? He found his on the school grounds next right next to our neighborhood. He's 9 and was very upset about it. I didn't know what to say but he said that seeing them made him feel uncomfortable. What he described was seeing oral sex. I wasn't sure how to respond but I just told him that those pictures are gross and that him and his friends did the right thing by telling the teacher. I had no idea how to react...so sorry that I don't have advice, I just wanted to respond since we just experienced this.

D.