5yo Taking Clothes Off - Problem?

[Nansense]

Twice my 5yo ds has taken all his clothes off when playing with a 3yo friend. Not sure if its "exploring" or silliness. I don't want to make him feel his body is shameful, but also do want him to know it is inappropriate. We have spoken with him that it is not ok to be naked if he's not taking a bath. The friend's mom saw my ds naked and was shocked, as was I. But I think kids this age go through an exploring phase. Comments? anyone else btdt?

[LynnS6]

When friends are over, clothes stay one (at very least underwear). At that age, I was OK with the kids being naked when it was just family, but other families differ.

It's very normal, but at 5, he needs to learn that private parts are kept private.

[amcal]

I agree with the PP - he needs to learn that clothes stay on when friends are over. You may need to more closely monitor his play with friends if this is an issue.

We're a very naked friendly family but, I wouldn't be thrilled to find out a child 2 years older than my child was getting naked during play dates.

That being said, some kids (mine included) love being naked so your rule that he can only be naked if he's taking a bath seems pretty restrictive to me.

Can he have other naked time? Just not when friends are over?

[phathui5]

I wouldn't be shocked. My almost-5 year old has been seen running around in his underwear when we've had people over (and subequently caught and made to put clothes on).

I would stay calm about it and let them know to stay dressed when people are over or you are at people's houses.

[Minxie]

My DS and his same-age friend-girl did this one time when she and her mom were over for a play date. They got completely naked and ran through the house; they were four and a bit at the time. Neither of them had ever stripped down during a play date before and neither have done it since to my knowledge.

We (her mother and I) calmly explained that the rule is clothes stay on when friends are visiting and we keep our clothes on when we visit other people's homes; naked time at our house when it's just family is totally cool. Since they were also at an age when rules were a big deal, it worked for us.

[Nansense]

Thanks for the replies! We explained immediately that we don't take clothes off when friends are over. And I think we'll give more naked time.