Do you let DCs play naked in the garden?

[saturdaynightgin]

DD is 3 and we have the paddling pool out for the nice weather. She has a ‘thing’ about wet clothes so as soon as she’s out of the pool she takes her costume off and won’t put it back on until it’s completely dry - I don’t have a million swimming costumes for her so I’ve been letting her play naked.

DBro has just called in and commented how inappropriate it is as ‘someone might see’. For reference, our garden isn’t overlooked at all, and due to high fences, neighbours on either side can only see into the garden from their upstairs windows.

So, what are your opinions on DC playing naked in the garden?

Your brother sounds more sorting than your child playing naked in her own garden!

Of course its fine if she’s got sunscreen on her exposed skin

I always did when mine were small. They loved running round naked. When we moved into a new house we found out our NDN was a sex offender so we stopped letting them. It was obviously really upsetting. We have since moved and ours are much to old for naked swimming now but if they weren't I would still let them as most people are lovely.

I wouldn't just because mine are very pale and burn easily so I'd have them covered from a sun-safety perspective but I don't think it's inappropriate!

No. Because I hurt myself badly “down below” as a child running around naked on the garden,

Have a stack of panties so she can take her swimming costume off and a pair on and that’s it. Just make sure she is properly covered in sun cream and that there is enough shade to play under.

DS is also 3 and he ended up naked in the garden yesterday! Ours is similar to yours in that it is completely secluded, the only person that could see in is our next door but one neighbours because they've built a patio on their flat roof. Our shed throws shade on the decking, so we got the paddling pool out and in he went!

I think it's totally your DB's issue for feeling a bit awkward, it's perfectly normal and natural.

Yes, my almost 3yo ds is naked in the garden regularly just now. He doesn't like wet or dirty clothes either.
I do encourage him to stay round the back so he can't be seen from the street though.

Yes of course. So what if someone sees?

Of course. Not an issue at that age.

Yes, that’s perfectly fine in your own garden! As long as your DD has suncream and hat and shade and drinks then not a problem. At your DD’s age no one should be worrying about ‘someone seeing’ in your own garden. Even if I did look over to my neighbours’ gardens and saw one of their children playing naked I’d think nothing of it because little children do that.

Yes , why not ? Surely running around outside starkers is one of the joys of being a very small child ?

DD2 is 7 and she wouldn't wear clothes at all if she could get away with it. She's mostly naked at home. DD1 is 11 and often half naked round the house but not in the garden.

Mine did. It’s lovely for little kids to run around naked in the garden.

Yes my son would quite happily be naked everywhere we went, he is going through a phase of saying "no pants mummy" when I am getting him dressed to leave the house. (22 months )

I love that he only has his hat on in the garden, and down our cul de sac, if someone knocks and he does a runner lol.

put paddling pool in the shade, early morning late afternoon and evening fine, otherwise uv suits.

Mine did, until he escaped. Little houdini climbed over stair gate in the garage door (needed open for hosepipe), climbed onto pushchair and managed to pull the cord to open the garage door and was found outside in the street, playing with the other kids
i didnt have a paddling pool out just a sprinkler attachment for him to run in and out of

No, we never did.

DS is 2.5 and currently naked in the pool. He's got a hat on and factor 50+ suncream. He's previously opened the front door naked when one of our neighbours came round (he'd just had a bath) and nobody here would be bothered. We're also in the potty training stage, so he's frequently naked for most of the day.
What weirdo would be worried about a toddler being spotted naked?
That said, we live in Germany...

Mine all did. We were slightly overlooked but nothing major.

Small children are incredibly unselfconscious. Why stop them enjoying that?

No. I worry about sun exposure and our garden is very overlooked.

Yes and would never have questioned it or thought anyone else would until this post!

No but only because of sun exposure, it's hard enough putting sun cream on a wriggly toddler and I can't imagine trying to put the stuff on his tiny little penis

If the garden was very shady I probably wouldn't mind so much, but ours isn't and it's not worth the risk.

Can't believe you need to ask, but yes, it's normal.

I certainly used to let my son play naked when he was small. I think it's good for children to have that sense of freedom.

He's 23, has no children of his own, and a little girl is running around naked in front of him. He's probably feeling quite awkward and uncomfortable.

Yep
plenty of sunscreen. Plenty of shade around and a hat if they'll wear it.