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AIBU?

to let our kids not wear anything on the beach??

215 replies

loopymummy77 · 03/07/2011 22:07

We're lucky enough to live quite near the coast, so day-trips to the beach are quite common for us.

Today we were on one of our usual beaches, which was a bit busier than usual I think due to the warm weather. DS1 (age 6), DS2 (age 5) and DD (nearly 3) were all happily playing in their birthday suits - we usually let them decide whether or not they want swimming trunks/cossies on but quite often they opt for the nudist approach (they're the same with the paddling pool in the garden) and we've never made a big deal of it.

Anyways, after we'd been there a while, this woman comes up to DH and me and tells us we should make our kids put some clothes on. When I asked why, she said that it was because there might be paedophiles who could see them and that it was irresponsible of us to let them run around with nothing on. Her remarks made us feel so uncomfortable, we got the kids dressed and went somewhere else for the rest of the day.

Looking back, I'm now quite angry about the whole thing. I wouldn't dream of telling a parent what their kids should/shouldn't wear and how dare she call us irresponsible!! What annoys me even more is the fact we felt we had to leave as a result, as if it was us at fault! Angry.

Am I being unreasonable? We've always kept a close eye out for our kids as I think any responsible parent should do.

OP posts:
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DawnTiggaFashionGoddess · 03/07/2011 22:09

Oh FFS you'd think there were paedophiles hiding behind every bloody bush!

YANBU she was being ridiculous.

Children are MORE likely to be abused by a family member or friend than by a stranger.

ThisIsWhyIWantToMoveToFranceTiggaxx

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MorelliOrRanger · 03/07/2011 22:09

I would have told her to bugger off and mind her biz, that not every tom dick and harry is a paedo.

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RevoltingPeasant · 03/07/2011 22:11

I'd have been so tempted to say 'Takes one to know one'



No, YANBU. I would've told her to piss off. I went to the beach with a colleague and her 3yo the other week and he stripped off, and then walked around singing 'I'm naked, outside, naked in the outside' Grin

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BimboNo5 · 03/07/2011 22:11

I'd have told the interfering old busy body paedophiles get their kicks from CHILDREN, clothed or unclothed and are just as likely to be at work teaching children, policing the streets or any other 'respectable' occupation than lurking on a beach for nekkid kiddies to ogle.
Why should the fear of bad people always take precedence over a childs freedom and right to enjoy themselves? We went to a park with a water play area today and my two (as ever) stripped to their undies- sod the lurking paedos, my kids are free to enjoy their childhood and im not going to give them issues by insisting they are covered from their necks to their ankles just in case.

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Mumwithadragontattoo · 03/07/2011 22:12

Of course YANBU. She should have kept her nose out.

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D0G · 03/07/2011 22:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pagwatch · 03/07/2011 22:14

Good grief, did you really dress them because of an irrational stranger?

How awful that you felt so uncomfortable.

You will know to thank her politely next time and tell her that you have thought through the pitfalls -both real and hysterical - and are quite happy with your decision.

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Sassybeast · 03/07/2011 22:17

Unbelievable

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sprinkles77 · 03/07/2011 22:18

YANBU. I guess it depends on your DCs' skin, but I know DS would burn so he wears one of those ridiculous little UV suits with arms and legs. easier than trying to get cream on him. As previous posters have said, most abuse is perpertrated by family members, and paedophiles will still be paedophiles if children are clothed!

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squeakytoy · 03/07/2011 22:19

Well to be fair, if your children ARE running around naked, there is the possibility that they could end up photographed and circulating the internet, so I would put swimming costumes on my children if they were out in public.

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seeker · 03/07/2011 22:19

If this actually happened then both she and you were unreasonable. Her for speaking, you for acting on what she said.

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Ringosbaby · 03/07/2011 22:22

YANBU at all, my 3 DC are similar in ages to yours and we live near the beach so we are always there. They seem to set foot on the sand and they're in the buff.

Bloody hard getting clothes back on them when its time to go TBH.

Couldn't give a hoot what others think about it.

DD (6) has had 2 lots of spinal surgery so has long scars running from her bottom to mid way up her back, someone at the beach told us once that we should keep her covered as it is upsetting for others to see her. Angry

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Pagwatch · 03/07/2011 22:22

I would not dress a small child for fear that they may be photographed by a pedophile.

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RockStockAndTwoOpenBottles · 03/07/2011 22:22

Go to pretty much any beach where I live and you'll find that any Spanish kid under the age of 6 will generally be in their nothings. DD3 hasn't worn clothes in the day unless we've gone to the shops for the past 4 days, just running around and jumping in and out of the pool.

I wold have found it very hard not to say something rude to her in response.

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girrafey · 03/07/2011 22:23

YANBU at being upset at what/ how the lady addressed it with you.

But.... i must say i would be very uncomfortable seeing your children naked, mainly the elder 2. I would not say anything, but would move away down the beach as i would be that uncomfortable. However, that is my problem and if there was no signs saying that clothing should be worn (as there are at the localish places to me) then it is down to what you and your dc are happy with.

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worraliberty · 03/07/2011 22:23

YANBU

But having said that, it makes me a little queezy when kids...especially as old as 5 and 6 are digging naked in the sand and I'm sat behind them trying to eat or look elsewhere.

We were having a beach picnic at easter and there were two naked kids of about that age constantly bent over in front of us with their bums and bits on display.

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BimboNo5 · 03/07/2011 22:24

Amyjo wtf? Have you sought counselling for your issues?

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snicker · 03/07/2011 22:24

I don't like nudey kids on the beach. I don't want to look right at peoples bent over arses and genitalia. I wouldn't mind if there is loads of space but I do mind if its busy and everyone is closeish.

I reserve judgement until you tell us how busy 'busier than usual' is.

She is unreasonable for her paedophile hysteria though.

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BimboNo5 · 03/07/2011 22:25

especially as old as 5 and 6

What exactly is offensive about the bodies of 5/6 year olds? They are CHILDREN ffs not teenagers with hairy bits and boobies!

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Seabright · 03/07/2011 22:26

Some countries do require you to renounce all other nationalities if you are a national of that country (Malaysia for example, I believe), but most don't.

Not aware of any max and have no idea how it could ever be enforced, since there is no "world passport checking authority"

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snicker · 03/07/2011 22:27

I also think running about is ok but digging a whole with arse in air 3 feet from someone elses picnic isn't.

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M0naLisa · 03/07/2011 22:27

I hsve to say i wouldnt let me two boys aged 4.10 and 3.6 run around a beach naked. I would have at least put them some swimshorts on or pants but not naked. but each to their own.

she is BU with her peadophile comment though.

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worraliberty · 03/07/2011 22:28

I didn't say they were offensive Bimbo...that was something you added?

I said it make me feel sick seeing them bent over right in front of me while I was trying to eat my picnic.

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BimboNo5 · 03/07/2011 22:29

Think someone is over egging the pudding a little Snicker...

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girrafey · 03/07/2011 22:29

I wouldn't say i have "issues".
But i have a 6 year old dd, and i would be uncomfortable if she was naked in public, so i think that is partly why.
Also the same as worrealiberty. Kids are bending over/ rolling over and it is not something i enjoy seeing.

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