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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want my kids grandparents to sleep naked with him.

218 replies

susssiq · 13/03/2010 11:34

My kids paternal grandparents sleep naked ok fair enough thats up to them. My kids stay at theres when they babysit and sleep over. When my son wakes up early he usually gets in their bed and dozes for a while. I don't feel comfortable that they are naked then. AIBU if I ask them to at least wear underwear? and how do I ask them without offending them?

OP posts:
KerryMumbles · 15/03/2010 20:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

polkydot · 15/03/2010 20:28

I have every sympathy for you Kerry, you have clearly been put through some horrific experiences. I am aware that there are some terrible people, who commit terrible crimes and breaches of trust. I do not choose however to live my life as if every man that I meet when I am on my own is a potential rapist, or every young man in a hoody that I pass on the street is a potential mugger, as this would place undue restrictions on the way that I live my life, and I do not want children, or those who care for them to believe that every adult is a potential abuser as this would do the same to their lives.

This is with the caveat that yes, boundaries and educating children about them and what to do if someone breaches them are vital, I just clearly have different ideas about what constitute appropriate or reasonable boundaries. Which certainly, at least in part, will be due to the differences in our own childhoods.

Rhubarb · 16/03/2010 10:09

Kerry, it is not my intention to condescend. You will note that I have said that when we learn to accept each others boundaries then we won't go far wrong.

I accept that you feel it is inappropriate and not something you would do with your own children. However I wish you would accept that when dh and I sleep naked with our little boy that this is not an inappropriate act. To describe it as 'inappropriate' even makes it sound dirty.

If you are so concerned about this, feel free to report me to social services. Because I feel very very offended that you could use that word around myself, my dh and our little boy.

SolidGoldBrass · 16/03/2010 10:36

I don't think there's anything wrong with this, and the idea of calling SS is an appalling one (think of all those threads about the damage that has been done by overzealous social workers).
However, there will come a point at which the DC will get a bit uncomfortable with it, which will be due partly to the culture they live in and partly due to their own development, and if you have a healthy relationship with your DC, OP, they will mention it to you and then you can mention it to the GPs and ask them to by some nightwear.

mathanxiety · 16/03/2010 14:30

WRT boundaries, what's wrong with telling a child not to go into other people's beds besides their own parents'? By asking the GPs to buy and wear nightwear, surely you are putting the idea of boundaries into play too? Only in this scenario you are asking someone to modify their behaviour in their own house because you don't think a child should have limits on his?

susssiq · 17/03/2010 07:24

Just wanted to mention that My DS GP's think it is nice that he feel close enough to come into their bed and like reliving that bit of having kids. and I don't know how your nearly four year olds are but mine doesn't respond to being told what not to do when he knows I will not be there to make sure he doesn't do it.

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 17/03/2010 17:09

Why not?

AnyFucker · 17/03/2010 17:29

that is a strange comment, suss, I am sorry but I don't understand it

so...if you told your 4yo not to hit other kids at school/nursery, he "wouldn't respond" because you are not there ???

porcamiseria · 17/03/2010 21:36

Kerry

I am getting concerned that this thread aint doing you no good? You clearly had a fucking horrendous time, and I just think trying to argue the toss here is.....well it wont make YOU feel any better. I think with what you have experienced you have completely different perspectives to others here. Its like you are in New York, and everyone else in in Florida. I mean this nicely, but sometimes topics come up here that are emotive and its not the healthiest place to discuss IYKWIM

and I mean this with genuine good intent, I am more concerned about you that the Op issue

AnyFucker · 17/03/2010 21:39

hear hear porca

hope you are ok, kerry x

thehairybabysmum · 17/03/2010 21:50

Dont think this would bother me, i only sleep in my pants.

I think that they are Swedish means they have to be naked, most of the time (doesnt it?)

susssiq · 18/03/2010 08:05

i mean that if i tell my son not to get in GP's bed he will have forgotten that I said it by the time the situation arises he wont wake up early and think "mummy told me not to get in their bed so I wont" I don't tell him how to behave at nursery If he does something he is not allowed to do I see it as the teachers job to handle the situation.

Gets a bit chilly for these swedes being naked all the time though we have had minus 30 this winter!!

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 18/03/2010 14:48

Sussiq, I am going to get an almighty flaming here, I suspect, but I think you should be telling your child how to behave even in situations where you are not there. I think you really should tell him how to behave at nursery, and I think you should try telling him how to behave at the GPs' house too. It's not someone else's job depending on where your DS is at any given time. It's yours and your DH's. Rules at nursery are usually pretty much rules for everywhere else and for every other situation your DS will encounter in life. There are social norms that children are expected to follow, for their own good and safety as well as the good and the safety of others, and they need guidance from all sides in order for the message to sink in.

I don't know why you seem to be prepared to give the GPs rules they are expected to abide by when you're not there (wearing pajamas) but not your own DS.

susssiq · 18/03/2010 15:57

I think you make it sound like my DS is a badly behaved child which he isn't. He is fully aware that you don't hit other kids it isn't something I feel a need to inform him of every day before nursery.

His GP's LIKE that he gets in bed with them they think it is cosy and he likes it too so I see no need to stop this behaviour!!!

And if you have been reading you will see that I feel much more comfortable with the situation now and have no intention of asking them to change their behaviour.

If my DS was to start behaving badly at nursery or at GP's I would be talking to him about his behaviour there.

But if he is in someone elses care then yes they are responsible for him.

do you understand what I mean mathanxeity?

Also I think that as kids get older you can discuss behaviour that happened hours ago but for him at his age it is not useful.

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 18/03/2010 16:32

He sounds like a sweet and affectionate child and it sounds as if he is very loved and cherished by all.

susssiq · 18/03/2010 16:41

thanx I think so too! For what its worth I do agree that as he gets older it may well be necessary to talk to him about behaviour when I am not around but for now I think he is too little.

OP posts:
MySweetAngels · 04/01/2014 06:29

Kerry, I too was molested as a child. I have found that this, along with the way I was raised, ( that sex was not to be discussed , even), led to several hurdles which I have had to overcome before even considering that it is not "wrong" or "dirty" to be naked in front of a family member other Than a husband or wife.

People like us, Kerry, know something that those who have never been the victim of a sexual predator, do not know... It's sometimes the ones you would NEVER suspect, who are the ones who are seeking to fulfill their own sexual desires with a child.

I live in the states. And if what I understand is correct, 1 in 3 girls under the age of 12 have been molested. (1in 4 of the male children.) This either means that there are a hell of a lot of perverts running around. Or that there are quite a few who do as much damage to as many children who they can manage to "fool" the parents of.

Once it has happened, it's too late. The shame has been seeded and there are no do-overs. The damage is done.
Which is why you know that it is simply not worth the risk.

That being said, there is another side of life. One that has not had the sunshine snuffed out at a young age. And those who are fortunate enough to not feel shame, fear and suspicions... Typically give others no reason to feel shame, fear and suspicions of themselves. Ever. So their reality is different from ours, Kerry. And that may very well be a good thing! And a beautiful thing, to be natural, the way God made us, with zero shame and zero bad intent! ( maybe I'm naive? I don't think so. Not in many cases, that is.

But I can tell you this. There was a time when I felt exactly like you feel. But I'm not sure that it is a healthy way to feel. Not when it is taken to an extreme and in fear becomes a "natural" way of being for a child whose parent passes their own fear down to them. This means that damage is being done to yet another generation, allowing the perverse acts of one sick man to win again!

Can you imagine how childhood would be different, if nothing wrong had ever happened to you?

I completely commend you for standing strong to protect the children of others. You're amazing! But if they go to an extreme, and allow fear to rule their lives, especially where there was no reason for fear in the first place, then in perhaps, in although a less extreme sense, they would be living the life of a victim themselves.

That being said. To those who are reading this and there is any question at all to whether or not it should be allowed. You see the lasting effects from parents having taken a chance with their children by allowing the wrong "trusted" relative to have time alone with them.

From what I have researched. (But please do your own.)
The average child molester in the US is the upper middle class, white male who is typically thought very highly of and who attends church. I read once that grandparents where typically, not molesters of their own grandchildren.

It's a difficult call considering the dynamics.
And someone here said that if they were going to molest a child, they would not do it with the wife in the same bed, but I'm afraid that is not always the case.
In many instances, although not all, the wives know, or on some level suspect that there is something wrong. But remain in denial. It's a weird dynamic they have going on.

Surely there is a happy medium. And a way to ensure that you are protecting your child, while not damaging relationships.
But just know that Kerry has good reason to warn you so strongly.

Good luck.

Angelsbdrmeyes · 17/09/2024 10:06

I don't believe grandma & grandpa should be around grandchildren period!

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