Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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

Naked children

235 replies

nappyaddict · 01/06/2009 12:57

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

  1. Public paddling pool
  2. Outdoor swimming pool
  3. Whilst using the play equipment at the park
  4. Beer garden
  5. Your street
OP posts:
BarefootShirl · 01/06/2009 14:26

When DCs were younger they were regualrly naked when in a paddling pool or playing at the park (tho not on the climbing frames etc) and sometimes out in the street. Now that they are older things have, of course, changed, although DD(10) still plays out in the garden naked. We are overlooked but are on good terms with our neighbours so I have no concerns. Anyway, she is probably influenced by her "nudey" mum .

Greensleeves · 01/06/2009 14:27

I wold probably ask them to wear clothes on the way there, so that we would have them when we needed them and so that I didn't have to carry them all - if going to the park, I would let them strip off once we got there if they wanted to. If we were going on a shopping trip, with no planned leisure activity like park/paddling pool etc, I would want them to wear clothes, because we might be out too long for the sun exposure to be safe, and the weather might change, and because they are silly and gambolly when they are naked and also becaues I wouldn't want to carry their clothes.

I have already answered this! [wail]

Original poster
nappyaddict · 01/06/2009 14:28

Barefoot you can answer my scenario aswell then if you wouldn't mind

OP posts:
SolidGoldBrass · 01/06/2009 14:28

Actually I think adults should be able to be naked if they want to and (again) if people are ofended by nudity then they should put buckets over their heads or stay indoors. The sight of a naked person won't hurt you in the least.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 01/06/2009 14:29

You didn't answer about the school run ner na ner na ner ner

OP posts:
Dumbledoresgirl · 01/06/2009 14:29

None of the places in the OP would I allow my children to be naked.

But they play naked in the garden, and I have never minded them being naked on the beach - funny how the beach seems an entirely different prospect to a park!

My ds2 is quite old to be playing naked - he is 11 - but he has absolutely no inhibitions, and with him in mind, I find myself agreeing with Greensleeves.

PortBlacksandResident · 01/06/2009 14:31

I would be worried about hygiene in a public place - sitting naked on a dirty surface etc.

Greensleeves · 01/06/2009 14:31

Do you mean a littler child accompanying me on the school run, or a school-aged child going to school naked?

I wouldn't want to take a naked child on the school run tbh - we cross a stony gravelly playground and they like to run across it. Also they behave like dragonflies when they are frolicking naked - there's a joy and levity about it that I frankly don't need on the school run

And no, I wouldn't send my children to school in their birthday suits instead of school uniform. They wouldn't go for that idea anyway

PortBlacksandResident · 01/06/2009 14:32

Meaning for children of course - me naked in public is not a sight anyone wants to see - believe me.

Dumbledoresgirl · 01/06/2009 14:38

I now have an image of Greeny marching her children to school in neat rows because levity is not allowed on the school run!

Original poster
nappyaddict · 01/06/2009 14:39

Yes i meant a younger child not one actually going to school.

OP posts:
pagwatch · 01/06/2009 14:41

at nudity being permitted on Greenies school run only if they promise to be miserable.

Greensleeves · 01/06/2009 14:41

lol, my children do not do neat rows

pagwatch · 01/06/2009 14:42

oops x-posted Dumbledoresgirl

MumOfAPickle · 01/06/2009 14:42

We made an impromptu trip to a play park with a big paddling pool at the week-end and my DS (16 months) pretty much dived straight in! I kept the nappy on as long as possible but we were in danger of it exploding so I got him out, dried him (on my cardigan) and dressed him. Ten minutes late he was desperate to go in again so I just stripped him off. Didn't think twice about some of the stuff on here (dodgy characters and hygiene )

Mind you my niece & nephew (6 & 3) are both naked a fair bit as are their friends. I used to wonder if I'd allow that when it came to my kids but now I realise its not as simple as that! My LO already pulls at clothes to try and get them off so I'm prepared for another rudie nudie (as my niece says). Maybe its in the genes?

MumOfAPickle · 01/06/2009 14:45

In terms of a younger one on a school run, I'd probably say no ideally but TBH if they really want to be naked then it might just be quicker/easier to let it happen... What are the other mum's like? Will they hiss about the feral child? Do you care?

dawntigga · 01/06/2009 14:52

As long as I'm there and there is no danger from the equipment and I can be bothered putting sun cream on all his awkward to get to bits then yes.

Puts on hard hat:

IMNSHO there is to much hysteria about all this.

Dxx

BarefootShirl · 01/06/2009 14:55

Nappyaddict - when we went to the park when they were younger then they would both run around naked - now DS wears shorts and DD bikini bottoms (although she still has a tendency to remove them). Same applies at the beach although DD more likely to just strip off - no idea why but beaches seem more "innocent".

If going shopping then I expect them to be dressed - but mainly because of "convention".

School run does not really apply as this is by car due to distances involved but in principle I would have no issue walking with pre-school child in, say, just a pair of knickers.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 01/06/2009 14:58

But you wouldn't let them go into shops in just knickers?

OP posts:
Rhubarb · 01/06/2009 14:59

One of my nightmares is being caught shopping with no clothes on!

Original poster
nappyaddict · 01/06/2009 15:01

Also would you let them run around a beer garden or on the swings/slides/climbing frame etc in just knickers or bikini bottoms?

OP posts:
FairLadyRantALot · 01/06/2009 15:02

Am with Greensleeves...but than I am german, that might explain it...in germany it is quite normal for young children to run about naked...although, beergarden and play equipment would probably be not practical...

but what is the problem with young children going nude...surely it is a very natural thing to do?

KingCanuteIAm · 01/06/2009 15:08

See I don't see any hysteria! People make their choices based on whatever they like. I have never tried to tell another parent they should not do something that I don't let my own children do so where is the hysteria?

I do feel there is some hysteria in people who think they have the right to tell my I am wrong, inhibiting my children, making them paronoid and so on but that is all. I find it particularly interesting with the paronoid one - how do you know I am making my children have complexes? No-one ever asks how I manage my decisions or how I present them to my children they just assume I am making them paronoid and being hysterical. I am not, I am making a decision based on my experience - the same as the rest of you do!

BarefootShirl · 01/06/2009 15:15

Nappyaddict - shopping in just knickers for DD(10) and DS(8) would probably get an adverse reaction from other shoppers. When they were younger I would have been relaxed in beer garden or swings etc. As I said before, DD is still inclined to take her top off at the park and I don't intend to stop her - especially as I have been known to do the same .

ShannaraTiger · 01/06/2009 15:22

None don't think mine would want to, Dd(5) always goes for her sunsuit and ds(2.5) hates having no clothes on unless in the bath.