DS has decided clothes are no longer acceptable

[PseudoBadger]

He is 2 years 9 months. Over the last few weeks he's taken his trousers off at the first opportunity in the house, and more recently at the childminders. Not a problem. 2 nights ago he refused to wear pyjama bottoms to bed. That's ok, I told him he may be cold but it's fine.

Last night didn't want to wear anything at all to bed so DP prised him into a long sleeved top. He kicked off all covers and slept right up against the cold wall. Weird.

This morning he has refused to wear any clothes at all and is currently wearing just a nappy. I have a 3 week old so i'm all for an easy life in the house, he can wear what he likes (or not) at home. But we have to go out soon!

I can't decide whether to have the battle and get clothes on him, or let him go outside and see it's a bit cold. I did this a few days ago when he refused to wear shoes and socks and it worked. Help!

Personally I'd let him go out in his nappy!! But maybe I'm a bit mean, my DS 18m has just started taking his trousers off so I might be asking your advice before long! Good luck

my persistent stripper grew out of it, you may be glad to hear
I was more than a bit worried he would be naked at school but the peer pressure to keep clothes on has done wonders.

I applaud your attitude in the house - it makes no difference to anyone else. I always requested that DS wore underpants but never insisted on anything else.

Outside is trickier. One thought is to let him go out undressed, call his bluff, lesson learned. However, what if he lives it?! I think wearing clothes outside is non-negotiable, like teeth brushing and dinner before pudding.

I'd be firm. Push the fact that everyone wears clothes, and maybe set up a reward chart. DS still wears the bear minimum outside - he's still wearing shorts and t shirts and I can only gets coat on him if there is snow on the ground!

Inside - I think you've taken a sensible route.

Outside in Tshirt and shorts - well that's 'normal' at this time of year isn't it?

DS has always decided that he didn't want a coat on when going out - so I said, fine, you'll be cold but its your choice (and I normally brought one along with me just in case). For other clothes going on outside at the moment I would try to get him into trousers and a top - but if not, also say, fine, you'll be cold, I'll take them with us so that you can put them on when out there, but everyone will think that you are strange as everyone wears clothes outside in the autumn (and, 'do you want everyone seeing your nappy?).

Shoes - DS has also been taken out for a walk when he'd refused to put his shoes on - they were on before he got out of the driveway.

Call his bluff and hope it works! But please tell him of the consequences too, and make sure he can rectify it when he discovers you're right. ....

Yes, I have a naked child too. Letting her go outside naked wouldn't teach her anything, she'd happily freeze to death just for one more naked run...

She usually wears her wellies though, so that's ok....

We just let her get on with it at home, and she has learned that if she wants to go out, she has to be dressed. It's a rule. She sleeps with no covers and takes her pjs off, it doesn't seem to bother her so we try not to let it bother us!

It's a stage, both my DC did it, it proved they could unfasten anything!

My DD did it for years ages, every time I left the room she'd strip off, she wasn't so good at getting the clothes back on though...

My DS has been doing this recently, I think some trousers get tight and rub at the waist band. Could it be that your DS has had a growth spurt and some clothes are a bit tighter? How many of us get home after wearing something tight and unfasten the button on our trousers? My DH always takes his socks off when he gets in too.

3 yr old DD had a (thankfully brief) naked stage a couple of months ago at almost exactly the same age. I second those who say that at home just let them take off their clothes if they want to, so long as you check that there isn't anything about their clothes that's bothering them. I still think DD kept doing it longer to see DH's explosive reactions.

Outside depends more on your child's personality. My DD is a total coward and loves praise, so would be too worried about a negative reaction to get naked in front of anyone she didn't know really well. How did the childminder react when your DS took off his clothes? If he's like my DD a firm word may be enough for him to stop when he's there. DD was especially mortified when told that her friends wouldn't really like to play with her when she's naked.

Ds was like this too. Now aged 6yo he's discovered that (in his words) "men don't have to wear tops" so he's frequently only in trousers. I think it's a way he feels superior to his sisters (who wouldn't dream of doing that).

My only rule is pants have to be worn outside, but now he won't usually go out of the front door without at least trousers on.

My 3 year old DD is like this - today she went out in a knickers and sandals! I took a selection of clothes in the car - she took a summer dress in her handbag. She walked around in a summer dress. Tonight she is fast asleep in the buff and nothing or no one could make her keep her PJs on. She strips before she even gets in the porch when we have been out and the threat on taking her naked holds no fear for her, unless I am putting her in her car seat because 'it bits my bits mummy'.

Thank you all for replying, i'm sorry I didn't come back before. So he got dressed eventually on the Friday, wore clothes normally on Saturday and refused trousers (in the house) on Sunday.
This morning he got up, undressed completely including nappy and has basically been naked all day except for when we've had to go out. So he seems to want to potty train!