To think children should put clothes on at the table?

[MummyDoIt]

Summer holidays, fine days (if we're lucky!) so lots of children running round gardens naked. No problem with that. So why do I cringe when I see the same children sitting down naked at the table to eat? I'm trying to rationalise it as a safety thing - the risk of hot food falling on exposed, naked skin. Or even a hygiene thing - small children (especially boys) touching their privates then touching food. Basically, though, I just don't like it!

Feel free to flame me. I know I ABU, each to their own and all that. Can't help it, though. It always makes me cringe.

not even pants???

pants yes

vests unneccessary IMO

You are not being unreasonable to want people to wear clothes at your own table but what others do in their own homes is entirely up to them.

I don't have a problem with it myself.

Absolutely naked. No pants. Not a stitch.

Though I probably would insist on pants.

Oh dear. I do this.

(by that I mean I let my dcs sit at the table on lovely days totally starkers. Not me. That really would put people off their tapicoa pudding.

Wouldn't let them do it at someone elses house though.

I'm with you and I couldn't care less if it's unreasonable or not. It just seems wrong.

Children should be dressed to sit down for a meal unless it's a picnic or outside on a bench or summat.

Dunno why!

no pants is absolutely gross. sitting on any furniture with no pants is gross, let alone at the dinner table.

so yanbu

with pants, not so bad. as kingrolo says, each to their own

No I disagree totally. They should not put clothes on at table, but before they reach it.

lol wouldn'tbother me in the slightest in my home
would be pants and top at least at other peoples houses

Agree Wilkos. I really dislike sitting anywhere that naked children have been sitting, especially young ones who may not have quite mastered the art of wiping.

oh let them be naked. Saves on washing!!!

Forget the kids, fiorst time I met FIL he had nowt on when he stoofd up from table bat fishnet briefs

Thanks for forcing me to remember

TBH DS3 is spending a lot of his time naked atm, there are special circumstances (he's an ASD kid of the stripper variant) but I did think eek when my neighbour waved through the window at me today and I relaised ds3 was sat there buck naked playing his DS

There is not long in life when one can cast off ones clothes in gay abandon without shame.

I vote let them eat/drink/run/laugh/play pantless if they please.

I would rather them sit at the table naked than be running round the garden.

You dont know what perv might be watching them.

Cant see the problem tbh as long as they washed their hands before eating. But then each to their own. My house my rules Other peoples houses their rules.

Yes, there are perverts on every corner.

If they are little, then no problem in their own house imo.

Other peoples houses - pants are probably enough

I think it is about manners - eating at the table is a social/formal activity and children need to recognise that from early on, running round the garden, pantless or otherwise, is different.

My DD is not yet 3 would not take her clothes off around someone elses house. She knows not to talk with her mouth full (knowing and doing 2 different things but hey) and she always ask if she can leave the table.

But if she has been running around in the garden and comes in for a snack, would I make her get dressed for a drink and an apple? No.

'Agree Wilkos. I really dislike sitting anywhere that naked children have been sitting,'

I hope you don't sit on anyones elses sofa then, incase they have been shagging on it. Or is that ok?

If it is warm enough to be naked in the garden, why not let them eat in the garden too, sitting on a beach towel or rug on the grass? More fun for them and less food mess in the house.

Eugh, Tamarto. I'd never thought of that!

It's specifically small children's naked bottoms, though. Stems from encountering skid marks on the sofa after one of aforementioned naked children had been sitting on it.

There are reasons underwear was invented - I think meal-times are one of them.

YANBU.