When Should You Stop Being Naked Around Your Kids?

Question

My sons are 18 months old and 3. I see no problem being naked around them at all. My husband and I never close the bathroom door, hell we have some of our best conversations on the toilet lol. I sometimes bathe with my sons, they've seen me on the toilet etc but some of my relatives think the children shouldn't see me naked. I want them to know what a female body looks like as well as male. I don't think nudity's a shameful thing. so my question is, how do you know when you're supposed to stop? Has anyone here never stopped at all? Women are naked around each other all the time, trying each other's clothes etc and but both my children are male so i'm a bit unsure of this one.

Just to clear something up for those of you being a bit too literal. We're not naturists, we don't walk around naked all day. I mean sometimes I can take a while getting dressed in the morning and will wander around from room to room looking for stuff. I see no reason to cover up to walk a couple of feet into the next room. I don't see how that would induce my children to go into a clothes shredding frenzy at school lol

Oh and J.P, your answer says more about you than it does me. You've shown yourself up as a judgmental, ignorant and mean person. Still, we can't all be the good natured goth type lmao

Answer 1

I'm pretty relaxed at home, nowhere near a nudist, but trying to be comfortable and not weird about nudity (my parents were freaks about it - I never saw my parents naked EVER).

We usually leave the toilet door open (and talk) unless other people are in the house. We don't bathe together, but we might shower together once a month or so, just to save time.

My boy is nearly 7 and is just now becoming more modest about his own nudity, so I'm becoming more modest about my own. He knows that we have different bits and knows the real name for everything. He knows not to touch my private parts, and he knows no one else should be touching his. It's not weird or perverted, it's natural.

I imagine over the coming months we won't be seeing each other naked very often at all, depending on how modest he gets as he gets older. I will take my cue from him (I don't want to embarrass him!).

Answer 2

Here, Here!!!! I do the same EXACT thing and do not have a problem with it whatsoever!!!! I have 2 children...a 8 yr old daughter and an almost 11 month old son and i still walk naked around my daughter until i am ready to put clothes on. I still do it in front of my son, as well but when he gets to school age, I will conceal a lot better with my son. I live in Florida and i hate wearing clothes in the house, even a little nightie is hot in florida just lounging . my boyfriend's mother would do it all the time when he was a kid... his mother would walk naked around him even when he was 10 years old and he told me because of that, he started jacking off and realizing sexual things at an early age so i would cover up when your boy hits schoolage.

Answer 3

My son is two and once in a while I will shower with him or change near him, but usually I stay covered. I have since he was one and really starting to pay attention to his surroundings. Yet I do not "freak out" if he sees me naked when I do not expect him to, when you make it some thing "dirty" is when they become really curious. I think once they start hitting 4 or 5ish though, that would be a better age to start covering yourself.

In my house, (I have a sister) my mother walked around nude all the time, since we were girls. My dad on the other hand, never uncovered himself, cept when there was an emergency or something like that and did not have time to get dressed before poping out of bed. That happend only like twice, once each for my sister and I, and that was when we were almost 18.

It is really up to you and what you decide is good for your family, if those are your feelings, then stick with it, it is not harmful to your kids.

Answer 4

Reality is the friends who say you shoudl not be naked wround your kids are just hung up on nudity equating to sex and cannot see the beauty of the human body for itself.

Personally, I would not even give it a second thought. Be naked when nudity is appropriate and keep the family happy in the knowledge that we all have bodies, we should not be ashamed of them and it is fine to see and be seen. thus there is no age when you should stop being relaxed and open; just keep up the good work and yoru kids will grow up without all the usual hangups that other kids of prudish parents have.

Answer 5

I think that is something your hubby and you need to decide, as everyone is different. I have three boys ages 13, 10 and 5. I personally don't think it any big deal if the youngest still sees me topless. My hubby doesn't want any of them seeing him naked and I think he is silly, as they are all guys. I wouldn't let my two oldest see me naked or anything. I think they are too old, but they have seen me in my bra and panties, and my hubby thinks that is going to far..I think they can see almost the same thing as that going to a swimming pool.
My advise is...if someone is uncomfortable..don't do it. I know if I went walzting into my 13 year olds room naked, we would both be uncomfortable. If my 5 year old sees me in my undies and no top, he doesn't care, barely even notices. If he started to act funny or look at me funny, then I would hide my top.
It is really just individual preference. I am like you..I don't want my kids thinking that a body is nasty or something and being embarrassed of themselves, yet I don't want anyone to be uncomfortable either.
JMHO

Answer 6

I would think around three. That's when the real imagine starts and it could lead to trouble. My husband is SO terrified of being naked in front of our daugher even for a second, he's odd I think! I know what ya mean about meaningful convos there though lol! Plus, when they start school (4-5) it could create problems with teachers and female students if they don't know it isn't always appropriate. Since they are so close in age (which I LOVE hehe) it will be hard to stop one and not the other, so I think it might have to be for both of them, even though it's still appropriate (to me at least) with the 18 month old. Heck, some women still breastfeed at that age!

Answer 7

I am also having the same problem. I think nudity is normal and natural and I want my children to be OK with their bodies. My mom never has stopped. I am 25 and my oldest sister is 32. In fact... our hubby's have even seen her with no clothes on because she didn't know we were there and has walked into the kitchen with no clothes on. I have a 7 year old daughter a 4 year old son and a 18 month old daughter. They all see me naked. They don't worry about it. I see them naked as well. For us it isn't a big deal. In fact when I first got pregnant with baby #4 I caught my daughter staring at my breasts. I asked her why and she said they looked bigger. That was my first clue I could be pregnant. I say as long as you are comfortable then do it. I have had numerous questions from my children about the difference in bodies and such and I think it is wonderful. Perhaps then they wont be getting on here to say "how do I tell my mom I am pregnant?" They will know they can tell me anything. I hope we have an open relationship like that. If your relatives don't like it then don't discuss it with them. If they say anything tell them you are raising your children your way and would appreciate if they continued to let you be the parent. Good luck

Answer 8

Ok i think some people need to get a grip. I have a 11 year old boy and a 12 year old girl and I still walk around naked. i am very opened with my children and occasionally ask my son if it bothers him. i am sure there will come a time when he tells me to cut it out. Why should we hide ourselves from our kids? there is nothing wrong with the human body.

Answer 9

I don't intentionally expose myself to the kids by just walking around nude, but I don't fall into a panic if they walk into, excuse me...burst into, my room either. I try to model modesty, just as I want them to be modest when they are in public. I close the bathroom door, but if they come in, I'll just say, "Excuse me, I'm in the bathroom. Would you mind closing the door and giving me some privacy?" The emphasis is on privacy, not that seeing a nude body is bad. I started doing this around the age of 4 or 5, and naturally, I really practice this modesty with my son, moreso than my daughter. I'm much more open with her. I have no problem changing clothes with her in the room.

Answer 10

i'm an only child, i'm now 23/f and would be so mentally scarred if i saw my parents naked now, even when i was a teenager i was so careful to knock on their bedroom door when they were changing/ showering....yes even my mom! i don't have any kids of my own, not yet anyway, but i think it would be ok to have a few moments of nudty up until 3yrs. They they start talking and remembering...and who knows what they could start saying about you or your husband at preschool, or to their teachers. I know they would be innocent cute kid comments i'm sure, but perhaps a bit embarassing on your end?!

Perhaps you could buy them a "for children" adult anatomy book. that way you can have a special learning time with both kids and still teach them and answer their questions about what goes where and why!...and answer where babies come from!