You do not mention any other sexualized behaviors that would suggest the possibility of sexual abuse. I know that, as someone who was molested as a child, you are very concerned about your daughter's healthy sexual development. I think you would benefit from talking to a therapist who has considerable experience in treating children of your daughter's age. I think that you are worried that your daughter's continuing initiation of these sexualized acts might mean that she is abnormal in some way. It would be well worth your talking with a therapist to alleviate your concerns, to put your daughter's behavior in an appropriate perspective, and to give you the tools to deal with her in a healthy way that does not blame or shame her.
Five-Year-Old Is Sexually Curious
Carleton Kendrick has been in private practice as a family therapist and has worked as a consultant for more than 20 years. He has conducted parenting seminars on topics ranging from how to discipline toddlers to how to stay connected with teenagers. Kendrick has appeared as an expert on national broadcast media such as CBS, Fox Television Network, Cable News Network, CNBC, PBS, and National Public Radio. In addition, he's been quoted in the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, USA Today, Reader's Digest, BusinessWeek, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and many other publications.
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