Do you let your children see you naked?

[Saturn74]

My MIL made the statement that she thought it was inappropriate for children to see their parents naked once the children were 4 or 5 years old.

This got me thinking, as my DS1 is 10, and merrily comes and sits in the bathroom for a chat whilst I'm in the bath. He's very matter of fact and it has never been an issue.

DS2 is 8, and has reached a "mwah, mwah, look at the boobs!" sort of stage, and I don't feel as comfortable about it with him. Besides which, he wouldn't stay still long enough to sit and have a chat whilst I was in the bath anyway! So he no longer sees me naked - and I think he would be embarrassed to.

So, just wondered how other people felt. Is my MIL right, or does it depend on the personality of the child?

(Just wanted to add that I don't parade up and down naked or anything - I'm in a bath with bubble bath in it!)

[Bozza]

I think you are right in that it depends on the child. I, and to a lesser extent DH, still wander around naked in front of 5yo DS. There have been no signs yet to make us think we should do otherwise.

[mosschops30]

I think running around and hiding yourself from children is only teaching them that their body is something to be ashamed of.
ds and dd see me naked but not parading around just in the bath or getting dressed etc.
I remember my parents doing it, it was totally normal.
As long as they learn that there are parts of their bodies that are 'private' then thats ok in our house

[FluffyCharlotteCorday]

Depends on you and the child.

Can't understand the idea of an arbitrary cut-off age when it somehow becomes indecent.

[hulababy]

DD is 4yo and still sees me and DH naked. Again, no signs to say that she or we feel uncomfortable, so not a problem here.

Definitely think it depends on the child.

[laneydaye]

all the time...its just natrual. they dont even notice...

[ledodgyrobespierre]

I think it is fine unless the child starts to get embarassed then it's time to cover up.

[morningpaper]

haha we are a nudey family

I would happily appear naked in front of my children until they reach the stage where they run screaming from the room

doesn't bother me

[TinyGang]

I do, but since the comment 'Mummy, you do have a big bottom!' I'm reconsidering.

[Saturn74]

Absolutely, when the child becomes embarrassed, that's the time to stop IMO. Perhaps my MIL's views are a generational thing - I don't remember seeing my parents in states of undress.

[galaxy]

dd (4) yes. dss 13 no

[FrannyandZooey]

I think your MIL is full of it

It is up to you and your children. For some families it feels completely natural and normal up until the children are adults. For others they may start to feel self-conscious or the children may get embarrassed.

Ds aged 2 used to say "Mummy, please put some clothes on, you might do a wee on the bed"

[sorrell]

Your MIL is nuts. We are all naked under our clothes.

[ghosty]

When would anyone get the chance to shower in the morning if they didn't want their children to see them naked? Do they lock the children out then? My children seem to have a built in radar that tells them when I am a)in the shower b) on the toilet and c) on the phone ... so as soon as I am doing one of those things they urgently want to talk to me about something
TBH DS is going through a "Eeeeeewwww, booobieees! Yuk" phase and when I get dressed he says, "I don't want to see your boobies thanks mummy!" So I tell him that he doesn't need to look at them but in order to get dressed I have to be undressed first

[Miaou]

I think being guided by the child is the best way to go. I don't have an problem with my kids seeing me naked when I'm in the bath/shower, but if they started making an issue of it then I would probably be a bit more "private". However we only have one bathroom with the only loo in the house in it so that in itself causes a logistical problem!

[Mercy]

I think if you let your children see you naked at 'appropriate' times (sorry, can't htink of a better word) eg, having a bath/shower, getting dressed, going to the toilet etc then it's fine. But equally children have to respect your privacy (ie, I don't want ds barging into the toilet every time I change my tampon, have a crap, a shower)

[serenity]

I don't care, they don't care. They interrupted me as I was about to have a shower this afternoon, because they'd done something weird to the PC, so they had to put up with nude Mummy whilst I sorted that out. I expect them to get selfconscious about themselves before they get bothered by me, at least that's how it worked for me - no nudity from me after the age of 12ish although I'm happy enough to walk about in front of my Mum in my undies now.

[Posey]

Am very open about nakedness, dh is rather more reserved about his body and being naked in front of the kids.
My 2 have reached an interesting age. Dd is 9 and becoming very aware of imminent bodily changes, so I catch her glancing more closely at my pubes and boobs
Ds is 3 and just fascinated and starts all sentences with how why where or when. Therefore we get the "why is your bottom furry?", why hasn't daddy got boobs?" etc
Doesn't make me cover up though.

[Saturn74]

sorrell - you echo my sentiments exactly!

[FluffyCharlotteCorday]

Posey, may I ask with your DS, why your bottom is furry?

[Pruni]

Message withdrawn

[Northerner]

My ds is 4 and it is not an issue for us at all. Hadn't really thought about when I'll stop tbh. I think as long as it's appropriate nakedness - getting changed or showered then OK. But not if you are doing the ironing in the buff!

[longwaytogo]

dd's are 14 & 12 and we have always wandered across landing, had kids in and out of bathroom whilst using it etc and its never been an issue. Funny though bec haven't seen dd 2 body since she started to develop - we often tease her and say its because she has 3 boobs (bless her) dd 1 is more chilled but I don't think dh would go into bathroom now if she was in it. Because its never been an issue never really thought about it much tbh.

[WideWebWitch]

MIL is wrong imo. ds and dd see me naked, yes. He is nearly 9, she is 3, we're all pretty unselfconcious.

[noonar]

ok then, on a slightly different thread, when do you teach the idea that bodies are private - when with non family members. yesterday, dd aged 4.5 - just started school- came downstairs naked to meet the sainsburys delivery driver! without thinking, i said- go and put some clothes on. wouldnt have said it with 2yo dd of course. it was a knee jerk thing, and i surprised myself.

[izzybiz]

we have a nudey house too!

I was brought up that way as well, i am still comfortable in front of my mum now, and she with me.

My Ds is 13 and still walks in on me now and again, its no big deal, im not a woman to him, im his mum. Iykwim!