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AIBU?

letting my children run around naked on a beach

167 replies

Goofymum · 05/09/2010 23:12

A few days ago I took my 2 year old DD and 5 year old DD to the beach. It is a lovely beach and not very crowded, only 2 or 3 groups of people per large section of beach. I let my DDs run around naked for while before we went home (they asked to go naked). My parents were with me and they weren't bothered. The few families left on the beach weren't bothered either. But when my DH heard about it he was horrified. He said my 5 year old (she is very tall, perhaps passes for 6?) is too old to run around naked, other people would feel uncomfortable and it's just not right. We 'debated' it for a while and I thought I'd get the opinion of sensible people on MN - did I have a big lapse in judgement or was it OK to let my DDs run around naked?!

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WoodyAllen · 09/09/2010 15:18

Former Diva - I'm with you on this one. Well said.

choufleur · 09/09/2010 15:31

maybe there's a demand for swimming costumes because those of you who are very conservative in your view are so scared of seeing little bodies naked that everyone else has to conform to your rigid values. It wouldn't bother me if small children swam without clothes on in a pool.

LadyBiscuit · 09/09/2010 16:01

I took my DS into the paddling pool naked the other day. I had completely forgotten about that. It just doesn't cross my mind to think there's paedos lurking behind every bush

seeker · 09/09/2010 16:16

Swimming pools demand costumes for little ones because they help to catch the poo. Seriously - there is no other reason.

It's absolutely fine for children to be naked on the beach. Of course it is - don't be silly.

Why should you teach your children to cover themselves up because there is a remote chance that there is a paedophile with a pair of binoculars somewhere in the vicinity?

amberleaf · 09/09/2010 16:29

Seeker-that isnt the only reason you teach them to cover up though is it?

At what age is it no longer acceptable for children to be naked then? and how would you get that across to your child without making them 'ashamed of their body' [as someone said] or 'sexualising' them?

seeker · 09/09/2010 16:36

You don't ahve to teach them to cover up. You wait until they say they want to. Round about 5/6ish in my experience.

seeker · 09/09/2010 16:36

Actually no. Round about 4/5ish in my experience.

2old4thislark · 09/09/2010 18:51

I'm just an old fashioned prude but I guess you can't help how you feel.

FlyingInTheCLouds · 09/09/2010 19:05

This country can be so prudish. My ex was swedish and his little cousins were quite happy to be naked until8/9. An dlots of the adults still are!

choufleur · 09/09/2010 19:19

Does everyone here who objects to naked children also object to near naked adults also on beaches?

2old4thislark · 09/09/2010 19:29

Yes, especially near naked overweight ones
Just a prude, aren't I???

Heracles · 09/09/2010 20:12

Won't somebody think of the children(s nipples)??!!?

ChippingIn · 09/09/2010 20:51

2old4thislark - really it just wouldn't be a MN thread without someone bringing overweight adults into it FFS can't you stick to the topic?

SkylineDrifter - modern & groovey Yes, very modern. I was a toddler in the late 70's, the entire street used to be in our paddling pool naked - so yes, it's all just a modern need to be modern and groovey

2old4thislark · 09/09/2010 20:59

I don't want to tell tales but choufleurr went off topic first. I'm overweight myself so am I still not mention being overweight? Or is literally the 'elephant in the room'? I certainly wouldn't inflict my naked wobbly body on fellow beach folk!

I'm a prude, don't want to see anyone of any size or age naked or near naked in public, thank you very much!

WoodyAllen · 09/09/2010 21:39

Seeker my oldest is nearly 7 and she is completely happy naked. Must be the Scandiavian in her.

NotanOtter · 09/09/2010 21:43

i think kids should be able to be naked
my 7 year old ds still often naked and two younger brothers barely ever clothed

0karen · 05/12/2010 01:15

I know this topic is a few months old now but I just come across it and was so surprised by the number of people who said they allow their children to go naked

My girls are usually naked around the house and garden

Whenever when we are at the beach, lake or park it seems my daughters are he only ones naked

No one has ever complained

However on bonfire night we had a fire in our garden and a few people round. My parents said they thought that the girls were getting a bit old to be wondering round nude

Funkychunkymunky · 05/12/2010 01:18

YANBU I went to France last summer and headed to a southern beach. There were tons of naked kids running round and no one batted an eye. We seem to be so uptight in this country - probably cos it's too cold to be naked but there isn't a paedo on every corner. Let kids be kids.

And no bloody triangle bikinis ffs. They have nothing to hide.

TriggersBroom · 05/12/2010 01:20

Bloody hell. Why has this been bumped? Nobody would surely go naked in the weather we've had in the last week.

Funkychunkymunky · 05/12/2010 01:22

One year I went to Greece and whipped off my top (pre baby stage) showing everything except that which was covered by bikini bottoms.

A few nights later I was having a chat with a few of the other hotel guests who went on about this brazen hussy that sunbathed topless round the pool and how their 13 year old sons couldn't stop looking.

I was mortified that they had been looking at me but sad that women can't be natural in socially acceptable situations without a negative label. It wasn't like I swam or walked about like that.

proudfoot · 05/12/2010 19:09

at the poster who bumped this to say her DDs were going naked on Bonfire night and the guests asked if they weren't too old... I would also find it very strange if children were prancing around naked in the middle of winter when guests were at the house! I think I would feel quite uncomfortable with this tbh and would wonder why the parents allowed it!

Don't like children going naked on beaches because of the sun protection issues mentioned and I just don't see the need. I enjoy sunbathing while wearing swimming costume and don't feel that I am missing out by not having the "sun on my bottom" or sea air up my rear end... not really an essential part of the beach experience IMO Actually I feel quite annoyed and embarrassed that my parents have naked pictures of me on the beach when I was young.

DuelingFanjo · 05/12/2010 19:11

Stupid bump. Stupid person.
Very old thread.
I wonder what the motive for bumping this was?

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BarbieLovesKen · 05/12/2010 19:17

Very strange bump to say that you allow children to run around naked in front of visitors. Unneccessary and very odd imo.

DuelingFanjo · 05/12/2010 19:21

I suppose we're supposed to ask how old his children arfe, then he comes back and says they are 16 or something. Idiot.

MeggleChav · 05/12/2010 19:25

Mine were in the sea this morning, B'mouth. They were both starkers (3,6)and all the adults were giving me odd looks ????

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