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Should my 11-year-old be allowed more privacy from her father?

208 replies

Mandy1010 · Yesterday 06:35

My daughter is soon to be a 11yo. If she is in the bathroom her father will often go in there also to brush his teeth and do whatever he needs to do. In the past she has said to him that she is in there and can he come back when she has finished and not just barge in.

Last night at bedtime she was about to have a bath. She was already undressed. He went in to brush his teeth and do his bathroom routine. I overheard him telling her that she is not to lock the bathroom door as if she had a problem in there (•like a medical problem) that the lock is too strong and he wouldn’t be able to get in there to help. I kind of feel like he is saying it as he doesn’t want to be locked out and that at this age it is inappropriate.
I said it is ok for her to lock the door if she wants to but if she doesn’t lock it and door is shut he needs to knock and only come in if she allows it. I feel this is normal. Am I wrong??
she often likes me to be in the bathroom as company so I sit on the toilet but I only do this when she requests it. I am more than happy (would prefer to) chill else whilst she is in bath/shower. he seems to think if I am in there why cant he be. I feel like I am respecting her boundaries whereas he isn’t. Aside from the biological issue that he is male and I’m female.

I don’t think he is adjusting for the fact she is not a little girl anymore.

im just looking for other people perspective.

I asked her after, as unfortunately this argument played out in front of her, what she thought . She said that it more bothers her when she wants space in her bedroom and he just comes in anyway. But I worry she is just trying to keep the peace as we argued about it in front of her about it and also he got angry at her about something unrelated yesterday which will feel fresh and she may feel she doesn’t want to make him angry.

i feel like I need to have a conversation with him about this and assert her right to privacy but want to see others point of view before I do.

OP posts:
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Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · Today 12:51

Glitter0 · Today 02:05

I was 11 when I stopped wanting my Dad seeing me naked. He was perplexed but this and somewhat annoyed but like you, my Mum stood up for me and I appreciated that. I had my privacy ever since. Stick to supporting her like you’re doing.

Perplexed?! Had he never heard of boundaries? Would it be ok to see him naked? Unless you’re a naturist household.

Glitter0 · Today 13:51

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · Today 12:51

Perplexed?! Had he never heard of boundaries? Would it be ok to see him naked? Unless you’re a naturist household.

Yes of course I had seen him naked?? And no we are not a naturist household 😂. Some Dad’s are just shocked by the sudden change. I don’t agree with his reaction, and of course he should be supportive of whatever she wants but it happens so it’s great the Mum is supportive and encouraging of her boundaries.

OtterlyAstounding · Today 14:14

Glitter0 · Today 13:51

Yes of course I had seen him naked?? And no we are not a naturist household 😂. Some Dad’s are just shocked by the sudden change. I don’t agree with his reaction, and of course he should be supportive of whatever she wants but it happens so it’s great the Mum is supportive and encouraging of her boundaries.

Does it happen though?? (Without malicious intent) Confused

Honestly, I don't know a single decent man who would be 'perplexed' that his daughter, as she entered older childhood and neared puberty, wouldn't want her dad seeing her naked. The only ones I've known who would've been 'annoyed' were the creeps.

Why on earth would a man be annoyed that his daughter didn't want him looking at her naked body?? Bizarre and creepy.

Glitter0 · Today 14:17

OtterlyAstounding · Today 14:14

Does it happen though?? (Without malicious intent) Confused

Honestly, I don't know a single decent man who would be 'perplexed' that his daughter, as she entered older childhood and neared puberty, wouldn't want her dad seeing her naked. The only ones I've known who would've been 'annoyed' were the creeps.

Why on earth would a man be annoyed that his daughter didn't want him looking at her naked body?? Bizarre and creepy.

I get it, and I would think the same. I’m just talking from my experience as I was the same age and my Dad was definitely not ever creepy or sexual with me. I think he just still saw me as his little girl and thought that I was being silly rather than understanding that I was actually growing up.

JuliettaCaeser · Today 15:11

I’m sorry I just cannot believe that any man would find it “perplexing” that a girl nearing or in teenage years would not want to be seen naked by any man including her father? I mean this has been the case since literally forever. Roman times. I can only assume such a man has perverted intent. .

BillieWiper · Today 15:31

That's bang out of order to bar her from locking the door?! She's 11 not 2.

Just tell him of course she'll be locking the door when she's using the bathroom just like everyone else should.

It's absolutely unacceptable to barge in on a young women naked against her consent. The bathroom and what happens inside it are private.

Walig54 · Today 15:51

When our children were very young we had no lock on the bathroom door. When they were older we put one quite high so they had privacy at an appropriate age.

Always knocked on the bedroom door if shut from about 7. Dog changed that for DS as would want to follow him. When DS got to later teenage we bought DS a remote controlled car so he could shut the door after dog from his bed!

Daftypants · Today 16:56

He is completely unreasonable!
She needs privacy and you have other bathrooms for him to go to .
Get a new lock for the bathroom door

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