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Parenting

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Original poster

Naked children

235 replies

nappyaddict · 01/06/2009 12:57

Which of these places do you let your children run around naked?

Public paddling pool
Outdoor swimming pool
Whilst using the play equipment at the park
Beer garden
Your street

OP posts:

HecatesTwopenceworth · 01/06/2009 13:28

No to all.

but then, then are 8 and 10.

When they were younger they'd quite often be naked around the house and in the garden (still are sometimes!), but I wouldn't have them naked in public at any age. I mean, they'd strip but I'd put it all back on again.

Agree with king that if it's that hot, they risk getting sunburned nethers - not good!

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 01/06/2009 13:28

None of the above, but would be quite happy with

On the beach
In my garden/house
In a friends garden/house
At a campsite

If playing in hot sun though they would probably be wearing a t-shirt with free little bums.

LaurieFairyCake · 01/06/2009 13:30

none of those occasions - nothing to do with 'modesty' but because of hygiene and sun burn.

Yes, naked in the back garden - wouldn't be at all bothered about any weirdos even though we are overlooked on all sides

Original poster

nappyaddict · 01/06/2009 13:30

OMDB forgot to say public outdoor swimming pool. Still a yes?

OP posts:

meemar · 01/06/2009 13:32

depends entirely on age and situation.

I'd have no problem with a toddler running round naked at a pool as it involves a certain amount of undressing and potential for nudity. But it's not necessary at a park beer garden or in the street.

Older than 4 is old enough to learn that it's appropriate to wear clothes in public, but having said that I wouldn't be prudish or bat an eyelid at seeing a naked 4 or 5 year old at a public pool.

Housemum · 01/06/2009 13:33

1 & 2 - no, for cleanliness more than modesty, would strip them to pants if had no cossie and they could go home without their knickers on.

3, 4 and 5 - no, just seems odd. If my paddling pool was on the front lawn i wouldn't have an issue, but playgrounds and pubs are not the place, and I don't see the need to be nude in the street. Beaches OK, but easier if they are in sun-suits or swimming cossies as less sand in the creases and less to put suncream on!

Garden is fine, also with friends.

Why the question? And would what would your anwers be, nappyaddict?

lynniep · 01/06/2009 13:36

None of them. My own/friends garden only (but as previous posters have said - still probably not because I want DS covered in the sun)

If we ignore the sun cream issue - whilst in theory I dont care if my 2 year old runs free in public swimming areas/beach - I dont want him exposed to people who may see him in a less innocent light. I hate the fact that I had to take a lovely funny video of him and his friend playing in the bath down from flickr because of the ridiculous number of hits. It really bothers me that some perv might capture him on camera and post it online.

Play areas - lord no - I want him covered up - he has enough bumps and grazes without exposing more of him for injury.

Beer garden - well that would just be wierd.

Street - well he doesnt run about in the street - too many cars.

At home - fine - but he needs a nappy on at the moment purely for practical reasons.

Jojay · 01/06/2009 13:38

None - but at home or in a friends garden would be ok.

Greensleeves · 01/06/2009 13:43

yes, if they were happy to.

Greensleeves · 01/06/2009 13:45

hang on

probably wouldn't in the beer garden or on the play eqipment - beer garden because it would be full of glass/noxious spills/adults drinking who might upset them about it, and play equipment because of nasty cold metal and increased risk of injury

but otherwise, yes - I really don't see what all the fuss is about. What's offensive about a child's body?

Itsjustafleshwound · 01/06/2009 13:46

Not so much a no because of perverts, more a question of respect ...

Rubyrubyruby · 01/06/2009 13:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Greensleeves · 01/06/2009 13:47

respect? I don't understand this, I really don't

respect for whom?

Itsjustafleshwound · 01/06/2009 13:52

It is presumptious to assume that everyone in a public place will be happy to see naked children running about ... I would like to teach my children that sometimes we can't just always do as we please ???

littleboyblue · 01/06/2009 13:53

None of them, only because if ds (21months) is running around I'd prefer him to have some sort of protction from sun, sea, sand etc.

KingCanuteIAm · 01/06/2009 13:53

I don't think a childs body is offensive, we are also very open within the house. I just dont think any of those places are appropriate places for naked children!

Some of it is to do with cleanliness, some of it is sun exposure, some of it is that I just don't want my children being oggled by all and sundry.

I know that the chances of a perv being around are minimal but if you are in a place where children are going naked or semi naked then it is more likely than a place where they don't and, having been a victim of this, I do know that a slight risk is not no risk and slight risk is too much for me. I also know other people will think I am a loon but what the hey, they are my dc and it is my right to assess the risk as I see fit!

Greensleeves · 01/06/2009 13:54

But you're not providing any reasons for your thinking - why is it disrespectful, and to whom? I could understand the reasoning if your children wanted to shoot water pistols at random strangers in supermarkets, "sometimes we can't do as we please" would certainly apply there. But why shouldn't children run around naked if they want to? What's wrong with children's bodies?

Original poster

nappyaddict · 01/06/2009 13:57

Greensleeves Do you live on a quiet residential road? What if you lived on a main road? Would you let them then?

OP posts:

meemar · 01/06/2009 13:57

I wouldn't be offended seeing a naked child in public, but if they were above a certain age I might think it was strange.

I think it's just about teaching children social norms.

Greensleeves · 01/06/2009 13:57

you run the "risk" of perverts looking lasciviously at your children wherever you go. Clothed or otherwise. And being looked at isn't going to hurt your children. That argument is strange and a bit OTT IMO

and sun exposure - sun cream, and frequent checking, and not too long out in the sun, same as when only some bits of the body are exposed.

There does seem to be a sort of parrot-fashion discourse about "decency" and "respect" which nobody seems able to explain. I really don't understand what is indecent or disrespectful about a child's body. I find it all a bit

Greensleeves · 01/06/2009 13:58

I do live on a main road, as a result of which my children don't play out in our street.

But while with friends/family in a place where they will be safe playing out, I couldn't give a monkeys whether they have their clothes on or not.

meemar · 01/06/2009 13:58

Nothing is wrong with childrens bodies. Nothing is wrong with adults bodies either but we don't go around naked, and if we did people would think it was strange!

It's just about confirming to societies norms.

Greensleeves · 01/06/2009 13:59

But some of society's norms are ridiculous, outdated and pointless - and if nobody ever observed that and acted accordingly, we would all still be covering our hair and ankles every time we left the house

Itsjustafleshwound · 01/06/2009 14:00

Absolutely nothing wrong with children's bodies - but there is a place for nakedness ...

Greensleeves · 01/06/2009 14:01

again though, "there is a place for nakedness" - who says? And why?

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