Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

Do you let your children see you naked?

122 replies

Saturn74 · 17/09/2006 20:51

My MIL made the statement that she thought it was inappropriate for children to see their parents naked once the children were 4 or 5 years old.

This got me thinking, as my DS1 is 10, and merrily comes and sits in the bathroom for a chat whilst I'm in the bath. He's very matter of fact and it has never been an issue.

DS2 is 8, and has reached a "mwah, mwah, look at the boobs!" sort of stage, and I don't feel as comfortable about it with him. Besides which, he wouldn't stay still long enough to sit and have a chat whilst I was in the bath anyway! So he no longer sees me naked - and I think he would be embarrassed to.

So, just wondered how other people felt. Is my MIL right, or does it depend on the personality of the child?

(Just wanted to add that I don't parade up and down naked or anything - I'm in a bath with bubble bath in it!)

OP posts:
dollybird · 18/09/2006 20:38

Wabbit, do you iron knickers??

Blondilocks · 18/09/2006 20:53

It doesn't bother me if LO sees me naked but I wouldn't parade around naked IYSWIM (couldn't think of a better way to put it!)

I do lock myself in the bathroom when I'm having a shower but that's more so I can 5 minutes to myself rather than because I'm hiding away.

The interesting thing is that LO is happy to walk into the bathroom while others are going to the loo but we get shouted at if we do it to her (& in public loos she tells me to turn around & not look at her).

Toady · 18/09/2006 21:04

My DS1 started getting embarrassed at about 8 years, so covered up for him really.

mooshy · 18/09/2006 21:29

I happily wander around naked in front of dd1 14, dd2 11 and ds1 3 . They are also pretty cool about doing the same , although dd1 likes dad OUT of the bathroom unless we have spider alert-in which case she shows no signs of giving a damn as long as the spider is dealt with !
Was brought up myself to feel embarressed by my entire naked body (strict ott catholic parents ).
Decided to bring my own children up to hopefully feel happy and confident with their bodies. Also to know that there is a time and a place, but that home is a safe place for us to all feel entirely comfortable in the nude if need be. Its people who make a lot of fuss who have the problem IMO-do they have something peculiar to the rest of us !

wakeupandsmellthecoffee · 18/09/2006 22:36

My Ds is going to be gratefull in future years with his girlfriends body after seeing mine . I am doing the future generation of women a favour . My DS is 7

Ponka · 18/09/2006 22:38

Yes Peppermint, I read it a few weeks ago (coincidentally) and was actually thinking about starting a thread on it but didn't get around to it. I really like and value that book but I thought that particular comment and a few others I have read are way off the mark.

mummyhill · 19/09/2006 01:19

We don't hide or cover up. Will quite happily wander across landing from bedroom to bathroom starkers. If kids wake up in the night I don't bother putting something on unless it is cold. When they show signs of being uncomfy I will cover up but till then au natural is order of the day.

Alibaldi · 19/09/2006 04:44

Same here don't cover up for my two ds's aged 4 1/2 and 3. They slept in the nude anyway until it turned colder at the weekend. There's nothing wrong with the naked body imo. They are my children and as many have said here I hope that they will grow up to be comfortable with their bodies and have no image problems. Especially having seen mummy's wrinkly saggy bits

Original poster
Saturn74 · 19/09/2006 09:33

LOL wakeupandsmellthecoffee!

OP posts:
Ulysees · 19/09/2006 09:42

yes, dS1 is almost 9 and DS2 is almost 6. Would much rather they saw me naked than what they caught me wearing recently

My parents walked around naked after bath etc. and I've always had a healthy attitude towards my body.

mummypumpkin · 19/09/2006 12:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ScummyMummy · 19/09/2006 12:18

lol mummypumpkin!

FioFio · 19/09/2006 12:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

QueenEagle · 19/09/2006 12:29

Beetroot, soory only just read your question. We have a caravan at a naturist site which we stay in whenever we get the chance, so that could mean every weekend and during half terms and summer hols it's a week or so at a time. It has a pool, clubhouse, woodlands, kids room, petanque and miniten courts.

We have been to a couple of naturist beaches in Menorca which were lovely and if we can afford it, we will go to the Cap de Agde (sp?) naturist place in France next year.

How about you?

ginmummy · 19/09/2006 12:38

I think it dependes on the personality of the child and the relationship you have with them.

Personally I do walk around naked in front of my ds (3 in 2 weeks!) and I don't think anything of it at all and neither does he. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the naked body and I'm actually pleased that he's learning that we all come in different shapes and sizes, especially as his grandma has just had a double mastectomy and now has no boobs, whereas mine are like watermelon halves! I also have no issues with my 13 year old nephew seeing me naked either. Obviously he's more self conscious about naked bodies but it's more like when he goes to the toilet when I'm in the bath and vice versa. We've never been a prudish family and I think it's down to your personal preference.

FioFio · 19/09/2006 13:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

naughtymummy · 19/09/2006 13:54

ok I have a question, have read what to expect the toddler years and rejected that advice.
We are also of the parading around variety and both regularly bath with ds (2.5). However recently had a 5 year old neice to stay whose mum is quite prudish IMO and the little girl is always made to cover up.

We went swimming and got changed together (that is me and her not dh who took ds with him.)I didnt bother covering up whilst putting on my cossie, also I got changed (down to underwear) in front of her on at least one other occasion, just did n't realy think about it. When she got back to her Mum she said that she had seen my boobies and the Mum looked not best pleased, this girl is not a blood relative of mine, was I wrong ? I felt that same sex nudity is generally ok, obviously different if 5 year old boy. What do others think ?

naughtymummy · 19/09/2006 13:55

ok I have a question, have read what to expect the toddler years and rejected that advice.
We are also of the parading around variety and both regularly bath with ds (2.5). However recently had a 5 year old neice to stay whose mum is quite prudish IMO and the little girl is always made to cover up.

We went swimming and got changed together (that is me and her not dh who took ds with him.)I didnt bother covering up whilst putting on my cossie, also I got changed (down to underwear) in front of her on at least one other occasion, just did n't realy think about it. When she got back to her Mum she said that she had seen my boobies and the Mum looked not best pleased, this girl is not a blood relative of mine, was I wrong ? I felt that same sex nudity is generally ok, obviously different if 5 year old boy. What do others think ?

MarsLady · 19/09/2006 13:58

Yeah I do, the poor wee things. Still, I figure if they are going to end up on a pyschiatrist's couch they may as well get their money's worth!

CountessDracula · 19/09/2006 13:59

dd is usually in and out of our bedroom/bathroom in the mornings and we are all in the buff!

Would not have an issue about it ever I don't think.

EmmyLou · 19/09/2006 14:15

Naughtymummy - I don't see how you could avoid her seeing you in the buff (albeit possibly one half at a time!) if you were changing for swimming together. It wouldn't bother me as the context is appropriate.

Now, if you had her round for tea and served up the fish fingers (and quinoa) in the nude then I would find that inappropriate and plain odd.

swalesie · 19/09/2006 14:44

I think there is nothing wrong at all being naked round your kids, i would often need the loo the second my dad got in the bath (much to his annoyance) and would sit and chat to him. Same with my mum, i will still nip in for a quick wee if im bustin and my mums in the bath, it would not really bother me.

QueenEagle · 19/09/2006 14:47

@ Fio!!!!!!!

MarsLady · 19/09/2006 14:49

Fio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

3catstoo · 19/09/2006 14:59

I'm fine about being naked but DH is a bit more reserved. DS pays no attention to Daddy willy but the 2 girls are fascinated. DD2 (2) always points at DHs willy and he gets all embaressed.
I still chat to my Mum when she's in the bath or having a wee. I'm 31 and she's 57!