Underwear

[One_Girl]

How do you explain the importance of wearing underwear to your child? My dd is six, she almost always wears dresses, and she doesn't want to wear any clothing that may cover her tush. She also loves to roll around, sit with her legs uncrossed, cross the monkey bars, and climb everything. Underwear is important for these activities and a requirement at her school. I want her to feel happy about her body and I am trying to find a way to explain why she needs underwear without damaging her image of her body. Any suggestions?

[fairejour]

"Your vulva is private, it is not for others to touch or look at"

How's that?

[katiesk]

that sounds appropriate. or just telling her that it is part of the school "dress code" !

[Fuamami]

I don't think dress code is enough of an excuse for a six year old. I am also having this discussion with my six year old.

I tell her that in our society, we have decided that that part of our body is very private, and we don't let anyone see it or touch it. We talk about our private parts, which include her nipples, genitalia, and butt, and how it's important to keep them covered and to ourselves.

[MsChatsAlot]

Would she be more comfortable with a pair of tights or biking shorts underneath? Sometimes underwear are just plain uncomfortable.

I'm thinking that a discussion of why it's important to you may help her have a greater understanding of it too.

[katelove]

My mother used to say we needed to wear underwear to protect our genitals. We lived in the bush and I think she was worried about us falling and getting splinters/graval rash in, ahem, sesitive areas

[MsChatsAlot]

Ouch!

[momma-d]

Originally Posted by katelove

My mother used to say we needed to wear underwear to protect our genitals. We lived in the bush and I think she was worried about us falling and getting splinters/graval rash in, ahem, sesitive areas

I was thinking along these lines, as well...we need to protect ourselves while climbing, playing, swinging, etc. Along with the fact that it is one of the areas of our bodies considered private and not for everyone else's eyes...

[Gentle~Mommy :)]

I think I would just tell her it keeps butt germs from getting on the monkey bars and the furniture.

[kriket]

Originally Posted by katelove

My mother used to say we needed to wear underwear to protect our genitals.

:

i would be more concerned with things getting in.

[eepster]

The purpose of underwear:

1. It keeps sensitive delicate genitle clean and protected.
2. It keeps our clothing cleaner so it last longer.
3. In cold whether it provides an extra layer of warmth, and in hot whether it absorbs perspiration.
4. It is considered impolite to have our genitles visible in public.

[One_Girl]

Originally Posted by Gentle~Mommy :)

I think I would just tell her it keeps butt germs from getting on the monkey bars and the furniture.

I love this! She is very concerned about germs this year and has started taking her duty not to get any germs or spread any germs very seriously. I will also talk to her about why we as a society wear clothing to cover our private body parts.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

[steelmagnolia9]

Originally Posted by Gentle~Mommy :)

I think I would just tell her it keeps butt germs from getting on the monkey bars and the furniture.

laughup

That's great!

[phathui5]

Like another poster, I was going to suggest shorts instead.

[mommyto3girls]

the shorts that are a cotton/spandex blend like leggins, boy short style underwear (some great ones on www.hyenacart.com) boys boxer briefs, may all be more comfortable options for her

[Norasmomma]

We are having to do this with our DD who is almost 3, I tell her that it's her private area and that we need to wear underwear to keep that area from getting germs and dirt in which can lead to infections. She seems to be ok with this, but the underwear battle is always on in our house.

[Bell]

I explained my dd that it protected her from dirty, bugs, etc. it worked!

[Kristin0105]

Have you tried different brands of unders? Perhaps the ones she has are uncomfortable. DD loves Hanna's others are too scratchy and the elastic is uncomfortable. The hanna's are soft and the hopsters seem really comfy. dd never complains and she is very sensitive to material. She can only wear "soft clothes"

[ann_of_loxley]

Originally Posted by eepster

The purpose of underwear:

1. It keeps sensitive delicate genitle clean and protected.
2. It keeps our clothing cleaner so it last longer.
3. In cold whether it provides an extra layer of warmth, and in hot whether it absorbs perspiration.
4. It is considered impolite to have our genitles visible in public.

Thats a good list of things.

I also find this a hard subject as DS never wants to wear clothes at all! lol...And whilst he can run around naked in our back garden, he needs to wear clothes when we go out. Its a hard subject because whilst I want him to never be ashamed of his body and always be comfortable with it, its hard to explain to children why they have to wear clothes out in public without implying the body is something to be ashamed of.

[sapphire_chan]

Why doesn't she want underwear on?

Does it bind and she needs larger undies?

Does it itch and she needs a different brand of undies and/or less washing of that area and/or probiotics/other treatment?

Does she like the feel of air around her vulva and maybe a pair of shorts under her dresses would work better than close-fitted underpants?


If there doesn't seem to be an underlying cause then I'd say she gets a choice between undies and pants.