When to start covering up?

[BirthKathy]

The "when to shower" thread reminded me to ask - when do you other Moms start to cover up around your babes? I'm just guessing that it will eventually seem weird to me to walk around naked in front of my son, but I don't know when that happens...is it when my son starts averting his eyes?

[sapphire_chan]

You might need to ask in "The Childhood Years" for this one.

[Auraji]

I grew up in a house where nudity was a very natural thing, is not like we were walking around naked and I did always change in my room or the bathroom, because it wasnt like we were exhibitionist, but at the same time it wasnt a big deal if someone (in my family) saw me naked.

I do cover up in front of my stepson and ask him to leave the room if Im gonna change or whatever, but mostly because I think his mom would find it very strange if Im changing in front of him or things like that and I respect that.

[mommy2two babes]

I guess it depends on you.

IMO if either is uncomfortable it should stop. DS is 3 1/2 and DD is 5 we still all shower together.

[BirthKathy]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

You might need to ask in "The Childhood Years" for this one.

True!

[LaLaLaLa]

My babes are 5.5 (DD) and 4 (DS) years old, and I still (as DH puts it) parade around naked all the time. Well, from the shower to wherever my clothes are, anyway (upstairs in the bedroom? Down the basement in the dryer?). When either of the kids grows uncomfortable with my nudity (or on the day when the nice Mormon boys come back to discuss religion and instead see me marching naked across the living room), I'll do something about it. Meanwhile, I think it's a good message, especially to DD, that I'm comfortable in my imperfect body.

[Auraji]

Originally Posted by LaLaLaLa

My babes are 5.5 (DD) and 4 (DS) years old, and I still (as DH puts it) parade around naked all the time. Well, from the shower to wherever my clothes are, anyway (upstairs in the bedroom? Down the basement in the dryer?). When either of the kids grows uncomfortable with my nudity (or on the day when the nice Mormon boys come back to discuss religion and instead see me marching naked across the living room), I'll do something about it. Meanwhile, I think it's a good message, especially to DD, that I'm comfortable in my imperfect body.

This is exactly how I feel.

[tracymom1]

DS is 2 1/2 and recently asked me where my penis was. It was the first time I really thought about this - not so much that I am uncomfortable, but just that he is starting to notice the differences between boys and girls. It opened up a good channel for communication and learning opportunity.

I think that every family is different and whatever you decide will be just fine. Some people like more privacy and others aren't bothered by nudity at all. For us, I simply cannot get dressed or take a shower without my son being involved - he is constantly seeking me out and wanting to be with me no matter what I am doing. I am sure someday this will change, but for now its okay.

[justKate]

Hmm. Growing up my parents were often in various states of undress. They changed with their bedroom door open and adjusted the heater at night in their underwear. I think they stopped when my brother and I started being grossed out or embarrassed when we saw them. Maybe 11 years or so?

[cristeen]

I grew up in a house where nudity was very natural, and we didn't even think about covering up until puberty. Before then even my dad would walk from the bathroom to bedroom naked - that stopped about the time he started dating again (when I was 12).

My adopted mom was even more open about it - she would be topless in front of us pretty much until the kids moved out.

[MangoMommy]

Hmmm I think whenever you aren't comfortable I guess? My 9 yr old DD and 7 yr old DS see me naked all the time, and likewise for them. DH isn't comfortable about being totally nude anymore. His choice.

[mamadelbosque]

IDK... DS1 is nearly 3 (bday on monday, aah!!) and I'm just now starting to wonder about that... I'm thinking I"ll start caring when he does

[NSmomtobe]

Originally Posted by BirthKathy

The "when to shower" thread reminded me to ask - when do you other Moms start to cover up around your babes? I'm just guessing that it will eventually seem weird to me to walk around naked in front of my son, but I don't know when that happens...is it when my son starts averting his eyes?

Around then, yeah. Or when he starts covering up around you. For me, it was around puberty (probably age 11) that I started covering up around my parents, and they took their cues from me and did the same.

[MusicianDad]

When he starts getting uncomfortable or you do. Really if it bothers no one, then why make the change?

[waiting2bemommy]

I finally believe my dp that ds is more aware than I give him credit for when he tried to LIFT MY LEG to see where the baby was going to come out. He just couldn't believe I had an extra hole down there despite repeated explanations.

I have been sure to bring my undies into the bathroom with me since that experience.

I walk around in my underwear sometimes in front of him though. But he is WAAAAY too interested in private parts for me to be naked in front of ihm. Plus he told our friends that "mommy no have penis, mommy has a fat belly. mommy got naked with messy hair." .

I don't think it is *wrong* per se for kids to see their parents in various stages of undress. But I do value social norms to an extent and the reality is taht in the real world (here, anyway) they will have to learn that certain body parts are only exposed under certain circumstances. i.e. there is nothing *wrong* with my floppy breasts, but that doesn't mean the UPS guy wants to see them, so I cover up before opening the door. so I do see a valid reason for starting to cover up in front of kids. But I didn't worry about that until well past age 1 and closer to 2. Definitely not as a baby!

[Kuba'sMama]

Yes, it does go with personal comfort level I guess. I was never really comfortable walking around naked, while my dh was. My son was clearly not comfortable seeing me undressed after the age of 3 or so. I respected that, because I would not feel comfortable looking at my mom or dad naked either! I don't see it as being embarassed of your own body, but just shyness or modesty. My daughter is 4 and she prefers to change "in private". She wants the door to her bedroom closed, and I told my son to respect that. They share a room for now, and I think there's nothing wrong with starting with some boundaries at this point. That being said, they will still run around naked sometimes or change in the same room, have a bath together, etc. But when someone wants privacy they get it.

[berry987]

I'm not ready to cover up yet (my oldest DS is 5) - I like the freedom of not worrying about closed doors. Plus I need to be accessible for my kids when I shower - so I leave the door open. But my 5 and 3 year old DSs did find it VERY funny to run in and out of my bathroom the other day after I got out of the shower screaming and laughing "Ooh GROSS! I see your VAGINA!!"

So maybe it's not too far off...

[Chamomile Girl]

Well my folks started to close the bathroom door when I was 12. I was kinda bummed because when a parent sat on the toilet I knew I had a captive audience :P.

[boobs4milk]

Originally Posted by Auraji

I grew up in a house where nudity was a very natural thing, is not like we were walking around naked and I did always change in my room or the bathroom, because it wasnt like we were exhibitionist, but at the same time it wasnt a big deal if someone (in my family) saw me naked.

I do cover up in front of my stepson and ask him to leave the room if Im gonna change or whatever, but mostly because I think his mom would find it very strange if Im changing in front of him or things like that and I respect that.

this is me. i have 2 teenage dss and they stare when i bf!

my children started asking for privacy around age 9.

[wombato]

Chamomile Girl, that is hilarious. I think the same thing about my husband. I tell him he better close the door if he doesn't like it!