Naked children in courtyard cafés

[bibblybop]

Today DH and I took DS to a local beauty spot. Like a National Trust but not actually NT if you get me? Beautiful gardens, old mansion, gorgeous.

We were having a bite to eat in the courtyard cafe near a family with several young children running around. Fine. Except the youngest little girl (roughly 3yo) was running around completely naked.

I'm not a prude, and I'm very sympathetic to parents as I know from experience that kids can be unruly/unreasonable and sometimes decorum has to come second to a child's need (i'm thinking public wees in an emergency kind of scenarios here...)

But I feel like allowing your child to run around completely naked in an outdoor café is a bit much? People are there trying to enjoy their lunch while a little girl is romping around everyone's tables with no clothes on... I know it's hot but it's a cafe FGS

I'd love to know people's thoughts on this because I feel like I'm missing something 🙈😂 Surely they can't think that's acceptable? Or is it?!

Wouldn't bother me if I'm honest. Also not sure how it's unhygienic (not you OP that said that, another poster).

I wouldn't even let it happen on a beach. Years ago we were at a beach with friends whose 2 little boys were running about naked. A lifeguard came up to her and said that they had found someone photographing a naked child a couple of weeks previously. And that was before camera phones.

@DottyHarmer

Were they sitting on chairs? Ewwwwwww.

Yep, sitting on them, climbing all over the courtyard furniture baring all (and the large modern art installation)...

@Marty13

They should have kept her underclothes or diaper on at least ...

A nappy at 3?!?!?!

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

I’ve just been for a walk in the Peak District.

Women walking round in just bikini bottoms…,

It’s hot out. T̷h̷a̷t̷’̷s̷ ̷o̷v̷e̷r̷ ̷d̷r̷e̷s̷s̷e̷d̷ ̷f̷o̷r̷ ̷a̷ ̷n̷a̷t̷u̷r̷a̷l̷i̷s̷t̷.̷ ̷I̷ ̷h̷o̷p̷e̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷y̷ ̷h̷a̷d̷ ̷s̷o̷m̷e̷ ̷s̷c̷r̷e̷e̷n̷ ̷s̷c̷r̷e̷a̷m̷ ̷o̷n̷ ̷a̷t̷ ̷l̷e̷a̷s̷t̷!̷

Children are best not totally sporting birthday suits in the sun in public with other people because:

1. Inappropriate in public shared spaces
2. Unhygienic irrespective of airborne pandemic Indian variants against unvaccinated children
3. Hot UV sun skin damage and potentially even cancerous
4. Some dangerous adults with sick minds may take advantage of innocent children

So in the very least perhaps a nappy and sun hat and shades with some protection cream in case of sunburn.

I think it’s not on because it’s unhygienic. They re around food in a cafe and will be sitting on seats others will sit on.

Running around a field or beach or whatever I’d say fine.

I don't understand how it's unhygienic, but it's not necessary. There's a timed a place to be naked and parents should be insisting on clothes in a cafe. Also, running around, even in an outdoor cafe is inappropriate. It's a time to teach children to sit at the table and socialise. A small toy, sticker book, drawing pad etc. to help for the short time they need to sit. Mine never left the table at that age in restaurants, pubs or cafes unless there was a specific children's play area.

As long as small child is slathered in factor 50, I wouldn't care at all.

No. I have a 3YO and I’ve let him run round in pants and a t shirt before, but absolutely not naked (bottom half particularly). Also would let him run riot round a café.

I don't understand how it's unhygienic, but it's not necessary.

Really? You can’t work out how naked backsides on chairs is unhygienic? Do me a favour.

I read that as 'I have a 30YO', Bobbidy.

It's not appropriate in a cafe and I find it frustrating how many parents seem to ignore the fact that context is key for most things. It's why there are some parents who let their children run around cafes screaming because 'they're just kids being kids" as the staff and other adult customers have to dodge the children to avoid spilling hot drinks.

If it was somewhere with water play like a splash pad, or a park with lots of families then it wouldn't be my choice but I wouldn't think badly of someone who was comfortable with it. In a cafe it's inappropriate.

Reminds me of my ex (who had a huge wonga ) strutting around in a pair of purple speedos on a day trip in Portugal. The whole day.

Utterly shameless

You’re right that UV rays are the other concern so I should have put sun cream etc and short term as caveats.

It's completely inappropriate. How do they know if someone isn't recording this child running around naked. Parents clearly haven't thought of all the negatives of allowing their child to run around naked

My youngest always strips herself off anywhere near open water and it can take a lot of persuasion to get her dressed again, so I sympathise with the parents just leaving her to it. Glad she has never done this in a cafe, but someone else's toddler doing it just wouldn't bother me.

You can have your reasons for not wanting to see this but there doesn’t seem to be much thought going into to… Do people honestly think “a pair of tiny shorts” is going to stop a Peado getting their jollies off either? I’m not sure people understand peadophilia a lot. Also, where are they going to be hanging about in a day like today… a naice NTesq garden / cafe in the hopes of catching a glimpse of a naked child in a setting where they’re not usually naked. Or at the beach where kids are likely to be naked…

The child should have at least been in underwear and a tshirt for sun protection, on the beach I'd have them in tshirt or rash vest with a swimsuit or swim bottoms, so the heat is more reason to wear clothes, not less. Naked would be fine in a paddling pool in the shade.

Bare bottoms and public eating food don't really go together

No not appropriate. Pants and a vest fine in this heat though. Also running around not ok either!

Would not bother me in the slightest, it’s just children having innocent, carefree, un self-conscious fun.

I wouldn't let my child, but I don't think it would bother me too much seeing someone else's.

This isn’t acceptable and in my eyes neither at the beach. As parents they have absolutely no clue who is around…. There are some truly monstrous people out there.

@Thehop

Hygiene, pervs with camera phones, sunburn, not teaching respect for private parts, it’s all wrong.

Yep I think @Thehop has covered all reasons for this not being acceptable in the scenario you gave OP.

Wouldn't be impressed at them running around, wouldn't particularly like a 3 year old running about naked either. Beach, seaside yeah fine - go for it. A cafe, no, particularly as kid was sitting on things. Boke. For those who have issues with their kids stripping off - parent!