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Answer by Dr. Laura
PhD Mental Health Nurse & Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
Thank you so much for reaching out. Many children do engage in some form of exploration with peers during their early years, and this often happens because children are curious about their bodies as they learn and grow. What you're describing is actually quite common and falls within the range of typical childhood sexual behavior. Many children engage in exploratory behaviors with peers, including same-gender peers, as part of their natural development and curiosity about bodies.
What might feel confusing now is that, as an adult, you have more knowledge and a different perspective on what it means to touch someone in a sexual or intimate way. This can bring up uncomfortable questions about whether those childhood moments were harmful or inappropriate. Children are naturally curious about their bodies and others' bodies, and this curiosity often manifests in various ways including touching, looking, or playing games that involve bodies. When this happens between peers of similar ages in a context of mutual exploration, it's generally considered a normal part of child development rather than something concerning or harmful.
Childhood sexual exploration, particularly when it involves children who are close in age, is often a normal part of development if it occurs without pressure or coercion and stops when someone appears uncomfortable. However, it can become concerning if there was a bigger age gap, ongoing pressure, or feelings of distress at the time. The way you remember feeling during and after those experiences matters more than the label of "weird." If, at the time, you each had a childlike curiosity and no one felt compelled or overly upset, many professionals would view it as part of normal childhood exploration. On the other hand, if one of you felt scared, confused, or was pressured, that can complicate how you feel about it now.
It's important to understand that these experiences don't define your sexuality, create lasting harm, or predict future behavior. Many adults have similar memories from childhood and go on to have healthy relationships and sexual development. Sometimes people feel shame, confusion, or worry when they remember these childhood experiences, especially as adults looking back with more mature understanding. These feelings are also completely normal and understandable.
It can help to talk about these memories with someone you trust if they still bother you. Some people choose to mention it to a friend, family member, or even a professional who understands childhood sexual experiences and can offer perspective. You deserve clarity and peace of mind about what happened. It may ease the weight of your uncertainty and help you feel less alone in processing these memories. Remember, you are not at fault for having childhood curiosity, and it is okay to reflect on how you felt then and how you feel now. You are allowed to make sense of it at your own pace, and you deserve compassion and understanding as you reflect on your childhood experiences. Thank you for trusting us with this question!
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Grounding activity
Find a comfortable place to sit. Gently close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths - in through your nose (count to 3), out through your mouth (count of 3). Now open your eyes and look around you. Name the following out loud:
5 – things you can see (you can look within the room and out of the window)
4 – things you can feel (what is in front of you that you can touch?)
3 – things you can hear
2 – things you can smell
1 – thing you like about yourself.
Take a deep breath to end.
From where you are sitting, look around for things that have a texture or are nice or interesting to look at.
Hold an object in your hand and bring your full focus to it. Look at where shadows fall on parts of it or maybe where there are shapes that form within the object. Feel how heavy or light it is in your hand and what the surface texture feels like under your fingers (This can also be done with a pet if you have one).
Take a deep breath to end.
Ask yourself the following questions and answer them out loud:
1. Where am I?
2. What day of the week is today?
3. What is today’s date?
4. What is the current month?
5. What is the current year?
6. How old am I?
7. What season is it?
Take a deep breath to end.
Put your right hand palm down on your left shoulder. Put your left hand palm down on your right shoulder. Choose a sentence that will strengthen you. For example: “I am powerful.” Say the sentence out loud first and pat your right hand on your left shoulder, then your left hand on your right shoulder.
Alternate the patting. Do ten pats altogether, five on each side, each time repeating your sentences aloud.
Take a deep breath to end.
Cross your arms in front of you and draw them towards your chest. With your right hand, hold your left upper arm. With your left hand, hold your right upper arm. Squeeze gently, and pull your arms inwards. Hold the squeeze for a little while, finding the right amount of squeeze for you in this moment. Hold the tension and release. Then squeeze for a little while again and release. Stay like that for a moment.
Take a deep breath to end.