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AIBU?

Kids running around naked in the park

151 replies

MrsGPotter · 17/08/2011 23:19

Not sure what to think about this one.

We were sat in a huge garden type place in York and a family were sat nearby with two little girls aged (at a guess) 2 and 4. Both girls were completely naked and running around the park carefree. The park was full of students, tourists, locals, kids etc etc. On more than one occasion the eldest girl wandered off away from her parents and made her way across the park, up the steps and towards the back of the park with mum (fully dressed, thankfully) half heartedly following a few minutes after she'd set off.

Everyone was looking. A few people complaining quietly. A few people blatently uncomfortable with it all and a few people smiling at them. The mother seemed to be loving the attention to be honest and almost seemed like she was parading the girl around the park ("come on Honey, let's walk over this way!") - yes right past a few group of American tourists

I can't quite make up my mind how I feel about this. On one hand of course kids should be able to run around naked but on the other hand - is it sensible, really?

OP posts:

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activate · 18/08/2011 09:58

water park, beach, river is fine

a green park (agree with genteel comment for some reason ) is not OK because there's no reason for it beyond "look at us"

DilysPrice · 18/08/2011 09:59

Wouldn't let my DCs do it, wouldn't give a rat's arse about someone else letting their kids do it.

Bit odd though to see completely nude children in a "dry" play area. I'd definitely do a double take (as distinct from objecting).

witchwithallthetrimmings · 18/08/2011 10:01

there is no need for it but there is no need to crouch down and look at a ladybird or to try and climb a tree or to chase each other or to do all the lovely things that CHILDREN do. Some of the things i do because there is a need to do them, some i do just because i want to- and what is wrong with that?

whoneedssleepanyway · 18/08/2011 10:02

So are you saying you need to be naked to play?

And those aren't appropriate comparisons.

You teach children what is appropriate behaviour so what are good manners, how to treat people, respecting property so why let them think it is ok to run around naked in public.

I am not a prude at home and my dcs prob see me naked every day...

whoneedssleepanyway · 18/08/2011 10:04

And ok not a museum then but say a soft play place or the middle of trafalgar square or kew gardens...

cumbria81 · 18/08/2011 10:06

Oh, FFS. YABU. A kid was naked? so what?

I hate these threads.

exoticfruits · 18/08/2011 11:04

I hate them too-it is personal choice and no big deal.

I very much hope that those who object are sending their 6 yr old boys into the gents toilet and their 8yr old boys into the male changing rooms at swimming pools otherwise it is hypocrisy at its worst! (can't have a naked 2 yr old but a 12yr old girl going swimming has to put up with an 8yr old boy)

exoticfruits · 18/08/2011 11:06

It is no big deal because when DCs get too old they know it anyway and are uncomfortable and cover up.

MoominsAreScary · 18/08/2011 11:15

So in that case if you agree that they are ok to be naked in public then you also think it's ok for 8 year olds to be in the women's changing rooms?

Get real it's not even nearly the same situation so why bring it up

Ephiny · 18/08/2011 12:42

It sounds a bit odd - presumably they wore clothes to go to the park, so what was the purpose of undressing them when they got there? Wouldn't be offended by it particularly, but would not understand it either!

porcamiseria · 18/08/2011 12:45

my first ever

Corvax · 18/08/2011 12:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BimboNo5 · 18/08/2011 12:46

I cant believe how widespread these ridiculous prudish ideas about naked children have become. Maybe due to the DM and the paedo hysteria society we are now living in.

Cheria · 18/08/2011 12:47

YABU there are very few times when it is warm enough for kids to play out naked. A park is a place for kids to have happy memroies. I wouldn't like it in a restaurant, but in a park and on the beach I see no problem with it.

I would be more worried as a parent in the UK that they fall onto or step on a used needle or broken glass, but maybe parks are better kept now than they were when i fled left the country.

FreudianSlipper · 18/08/2011 12:50

wonderful i would love to run aroudn naked on a sunday afternoon in the park but have too many inhibitions now and plus i would attract different attention

i love seeing children so free of fears and inhibitions totally innocent its wonderful and pure and sadly does not last long enough

minipie · 18/08/2011 12:50

What a shame that people have such a problem with nakedness. What is wrong with it exactly? Why is nakedness so harmful?

I think it's entirely acceptable for children to run around naked, as long as they are potty trained and clean. I'd say that if there is a cut off point, it happens at puberty. (Children stop doing it well before then anyway).

FreudianSlipper · 18/08/2011 12:53

sunny afternoon

dahhh anyday of the week though :)

fanjobanjowanjo · 18/08/2011 12:56

I'd find it offensive. I don't want to see your kids in the buff. While they may be lovely to you they're not for the rest of humanity.

What's wrong with some knickers/pants/nappy/bathing suit?

BimboNo5 · 18/08/2011 12:57

Some people dont 'want to see' mothers breastfeeding. Or fat men in string vests with a hanky on their head. Such is life.

rainbowinthesky · 18/08/2011 12:57

I can't say I would even notice this, it's such a non thing.

BimboNo5 · 18/08/2011 12:59

Why aren't they Fanjo (odd name for someone protesting so strongly about seeing body parts...), why are naked CHILDREN offensive?

Corvax · 18/08/2011 13:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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serendippity · 18/08/2011 13:19

My dh and I have crossed swords about this. We went early to our local park with 2 yr old ds. We took his trunks etc, whish he has worn to local swimming baths, but for some reason he hated having them on in the pool. Kept saying "wet, take them off please mummy". I tried talking him into keeping them on as personaly, I have never thought it that appropriate for small children (above baby age anyway) to be naked in public places. Dh thought i was mad to be concerned. There were 3 other families there who, tho it may be my imagination, looked a bit peeved as dh stripped ds off. Ds loved it, I felt uncomfortable.
Had it been a park with no pool and ds just decided to strip off then no I absolutly would not have let him.
I'm not offended by it as such, I just don't see the need, and I would have been bothered by what sounds like an exabitionist parent.

2shoes · 18/08/2011 13:23

yanbu
imo purely because I think clothes give protection against the sun and if the child falls over there is at least a layer of clothe to cushion.

RitaMorgan · 18/08/2011 13:26

I don't understand why anybody would care if someone else's small child is naked?

Why do you give a fuck? What possible impact does it have on you

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