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?

What wrong with it on a hot summers day in her own garden? As long as she has suntan lotion on

I think it's fine.

If my DBro came over and commented though I'd presume HE was feeling uneasy. There's not much I can do about that so I'd pop some pants on the child I guess.

We did up to the age of about 8 and there was no such thing as sunscreen then. There’s a cute pic of me and my cousin about 3 both with little cardies on but nothing on our bottom half with our mums in sun loungers in the background watching us.
My 15 year old son will skinny dip in the pool - my daughter objects the most to that!

"There was no such thing as sunscreen"
How old ARE you?!

I would t no chance .

As you say people can see from the top windows . So it isn’t private .

I think that is inappropriate, Pip.

My boys used to do it, running about saying free Willy

@Pipandmum suncream has been around since the 20's/30's

My mum is 63 and wore it as a child.

I think if you’re not overlooked then it’s fine - it all part of the joy of being a child in the summer!

Ds has just turned 7 and has autism and loves being naked in the garden playing in the paddling pool and on the slip n slide. It works better naked! He won’t be doing it when he his puberty but at 7 I think it’s fine. We have high fences and aren’t overlooked by anyone.

No, not in this heat. The UV index is over 8 here today, which is Very High. The recommended protection for an index of 8-10 is Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen, a shirt, sunglasses, and a hat. Do not stay out in the sun for too long. Children (and adults but they can decide for themselves) should be using sun protection when the UV index is 3 or higher.

Put a t-shirt, sunscreen, and a hat on your child. If the t-shirt gets wet and it can just go on the line and she can wear another one.

I wouldn't give a kid that age running around naked a second thought!

I wouldn't take your brother's comments much to heart - he's young and doesn't have kids. I'm sure he'll be less scandalised when he has kids of his own and is tying to wrestle them into t shirts

My garden is overlooked by about 15 households, so it would be a no here but fine in a private back garden.

Yes. But we have a very shady back garden (large cherry trees).

When we were on holiday in Italy, the British families were the only one who cared about pre-pubescent kids being covered up. Most were just in knickers but lots were naked. In public, on the beach and by the pool. I personally prefer that attitude.

No, but we are a ground floor flat and very overlooked

Yes
Of course
How silly of your brother

Yes and the neighbours kids are out in our pool starkers too

God yes! Of course! The neighbours can see in, but they have littles of their own that also run about nude. Ds loves being nude and there's no way I'd stop him in his own garden.

Of course. Totally normal

My 4 year old is naked in his paddling pool today - our garden is shady. We’re very overlooked but nobody seems to be object.

We have a secluded garden, and I go naked in it when no one else is around. Children went naked until they chose to put trunks on.

We defo let the girls run in the nip when it's super hot. Re sun exposure, girls aren't out in sun for any longer than 2 hours at a time max. They are slathered in sun cream and then inside for an hour or so with snacks etc to cool down.

We have 3 neighbours. 2 of which overlook garden, neither family cares but as another poster said there are horrible pervs whether kids are clothed or not.

Yes, I do. A good portion of our garden is in the shade when the sun is at its hottest, so I don't have them covered head to toe in a UV hazmat suit, just factor 50 sunscreen.

I did with my birth children but now I foster I don't.

We aren’t overlooked, I let the kids do as they choose. I came home after dropping DS off to find DD12 in her bikini in the garden and DD8 in bottoms only. DD12 said “I convinced her just to wear bottoms as she already has tan lines from being in the pool when away last week”