This is a great video that goes over issues of consent and how we accidentally teach kids not to respect physical boundaries and not to trust their gut feelings. This is wonderful.
http://everydayfeminism.com/2013/09/ways-parents-teach-consent-doesnt-matter/
Here is a summary:
1. When you are physically playing with your child (tickling, roughhousing) STOP when they say stop. If they say no or stop, even if you know they want to keep playing, stop touching them until they are you to keep playing. This teaches them that NO and STOP are words that we respect and listen to.
2. Don't contradict your kids feelings. If they say they are cold or they aren't hungry or they don't like something, even if you think they are wrong, ask them more questions about it for clarification instead of saying "you can't be cold, it's hot in here" or "you must be hungry, you haven't eaten.". Instead say "You are cold? I'm hot! Are you sure you are cold?" or "Wow, you aren't hungry? We haven't had lunch yet. I'm hungry. Are you sure you can't eat a little."
3. Don't make them touch, hug, or kiss someone they don't want to. Even if it makes them look rude when they won't hug grandma. Let your kids have autonomy over their own bodies.
4. Be careful about teaching kids that older, bigger, or stronger people are more important than them. All people deserve our respect but we also have to trust our own instincts and not just submit to people who are older and stronger.
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