For asking my partner not to sleep naked

I personally hate sleeping naked, but I know lots of people who do. It he’s wanting freedom of his giblets, how about seeing if he will wear an old fashioned nightshirt, keeps his gubbins free and protects his modesty. Alternatively insist he puts a dressing gown on when he goes to the toilet. That said, i wouldn’t have a problem with my kids seeing me or their dad naked, they choose not to!! But if they barge into my bathroom when I’m showering, that’s on them to get that image out of their heads!!

My parents walked around naked when I was growing up and probably well into my teenage years. My teenage daughters are now repulsed by my aging body but before they became teens I had zero privacy and then would regular walk in and chat with me when I was getting changed. They never saw their Dad naked but that is how he was brought up, he didn't even when they were little. I wouldn't have had any issue with it and think it's pretty normal to have seen your parents' naked bodies on occasion.

I think it's more nuanced than that. I think that although it's healthy to teach kids that nudity is nothing shameful, they also need to be taught that private parts are private. And although I take your point about distorted images, I have to say I genuinely struggle to see how this lesson (re private parts, I mean) can be taught to kids if they habitually see family members naked. It just feels counter-intuitive.

Besides which, you can't predict a child's personality. My parents probably had every intention of continuing to be naked around the house and thought that would mean I was comfortable doing the same - I was never given any messages whatsoever about it being shameful or wrong, in fact they thought it was hilarious that I didn't like it - but I simply didn't, and resented having my feelings about it invalidated and being called a prude. Surely that's just as valid a sentiment for a child to have as feeling they are comfortable with family nudity?

I’d be annoyed if DH told me I couldn’t sleep naked. We have both slept naked together for 20 years now though, even at hotels. Stop being so controlling

It all depends how they’ve been brought up. My children were brought up to be comfortable with and not embarrassed or ashamed by the sight of a human body. Shielding children from nudity can be damaging for them in later years because they then form unrealistic expectations of bodies from airbrushed imagery in magazines and social media. This can lead to dysmorphia and eating disorders. Far better IMHO for them to be accustomed to seeing real bodies in all their different shapes, sizes and colours.

But surely you'd agree it's preferable to assume they might be and to spare them potential embarrassment in the first place?

But you said it wasn’t normal? Which is an odd thing to say. You might not like it, up to you, but there’s absolutely nothing abnormal about being naked in the privacy of one’s own bedroom.

And again, your kids might be embarrassed about seeing a naked body, not everyone’s kids are.

Yes, YABU, and controlling. What does your DD have to do with it? Unless you all sleep in the same room, I honestly can't see the issue.

And, as @ItsOkItsDarkChocolate so brilliantly put it, His farts will get past his pants!!

In your opinion. 🤷‍♀️

It is not a phobia - don't be silly! I'm not phobic about my body, I just prefer to have it covered up at night.

Wait, what, you’re saying it’s personal preference to hate being naked? That isn’t a preference, it’s a phobia.

You say hangups, some of us say spare kids potential embarrassment. Or do you think having no hangups is more important than respecting the feelings of one’s kids?

YABU about his wish to sleep naked. He's being unreasonable if he thinks he can get up to go to the loo or whatever naked, though. That would only be acceptable if it was just the two of you. He can at least put a dressing gown on.

Not all families have the same hang ups about nakedness as other families evidently do.

True! 🤷‍♀️ 😅

That's Mumsnet all over, though!

No, it's just personal preference.

There are too many people here who seem to struggle to grasp that their own preferences and experiences are not necessarily shared by everybody else, and that that is absolutely normal.

Apart from being in the SE I'm the same

I sleep naked all year round, with my bedroom window open (in the North of the UK). And I walk to and from bathroom in the nude. All year round. And no I don’t have heating on at night either.

@Em111110

Once your daughter realises she’s at risk of getting an eyeful, she’ll start to knock!! 😂

If I’m staying somewhere with family and there are young children around, I do wear something in bed. 11 I think is OK, they’re learning about bodies etc..

Try it, you might like it! It is liberating indeed!

FYI - His farts will get past his pants!!

@Em111110 also this…

@Em111110 This.

Sleeping naked is the best! Just make sure he puts on a wrap if he leaves the room in the night!

I live in the UK. I have never worn anything in bed since I was a teenager, even in the coldest depths of winter. That’s what duvets are for! The body self-regulates its own temperature better without clothes when sleeping.