Psychologist: Parental anxiety harms children more than body-related topics

Psychologist Nikita Grigoriev emphasized in an interview with Radio 4 that many parental fears about raising children regarding body topics are exaggerated. He explained that children before puberty perceive many things as a natural part of daily life and do not assign them the same meaning as adults. The most important aspect is not the conversation about the body itself, but how parents help the child understand personal boundaries and promote independence, Grigoriev noted.

According to the psychologist, debates about children being in opposite-sex changing rooms or showers, for instance at spas, are unfounded if they occur infrequently. Grigoriev pointed out that by age 7–8, most children are already able to change clothes and handle everyday tasks on their own. After this age, the need to be together with a parent in opposite-sex facilities usually disappears. It is important to pay attention to the child's feelings – if they feel uncomfortable, parents should respect that.

Grigoriev also discussed prolonged breastfeeding. According to World Health Organization recommendations, breastfeeding is acceptable up to two years of age. Beyond this age, the issue is often related to the child's maturation and development of independence rather than physiological need. Sometimes parents continue breastfeeding because it is an easier way to soothe the child, not because of the child's actual needs.

The psychologist stressed that the greatest impact on a child's psyche comes not from everyday situations related to the body, but from the atmosphere of anxiety, conflict, and fear in the family. If parents react with panic or aggression, the child may absorb a sense of insecurity. Therefore, the main task for parents is not to completely avoid these topics, but to consider the child's age, support their independence, and respect personal boundaries.