No.

My least favorite word to come out of my childrens’ mouths is “no”, I think that’s probably most parents least favorite word. My daughter actually has taken to mocking me when I tell her no, little turd. More often than not, before I rephrase my request, I follow that “no” from them with “no is only an option when it comes to your body”. And at this point in their lives I don’t think my kids fully understand that validity in that statement. No is only an option when it comes to your body. I; as a parent, human being, and female who has experienced physical and sexual abuse, want my children to understand that “no” is ALWAYS an option when it comes to their body. For the littles, if they don’t want a stranger to change their diaper no is absolutely an okay response. For all my kids if you don’t want to give someone a hug or a kiss that they’ve requested, no is absolutely okay. Your body is all yours and who touches and sees it is entirely up to you. I never want my kids to be put in a situation where they think they are obligated to give or receive physical touch when they are not comfortable with it, no matter who the other party is or how simple the request. If a friend tickling you makes you uncomfortable, no. If a family member wanting a hug makes you uncomfortable, no. If you go on a date and they want a kiss and you are uncomfortable, no. No matter who it is, if you are uncomfortable NO IS ALWAYS AN OPTION. No is always an option without remorse or explanation and it should be respected without question. I have gone on dates, gotten favors, made sales where the other party now thinks that I owe them some sort of physical compensation. That is WRONG. I will teach my kids that you are NEVER OWED physical touch of any kind from another human being and reversely you yourself NEVER OWE any kind of physical touch to ANYONE. You are in control of your body wholly. I want them to grow up respecting their bodies and their boundaries and giving that same respect to other people. I hope my children understand the importance of respecting their boundaries and the boundaries of others and the importance of the word “no”.