Naked Truth...

[PirateMommy]

Growing up, I remember our family being very comfortable with our bodies. I don't recall any shrieking if there was an accidental "viewing". In fact, I remember taking baths with my Mom and sister, and running around outside half-naked with my cousins for the better part of my childhood.

That being said, I am just curious about the general opinion of when to "cover it up." My DS is not quite 2 and his Daddy and I are very open about discussing all our parts with him. We don't talk about pee-pees in hushed tones or with inflection because I feel that's just asking for trouble. Also, though most of the time he enjoys his own bath, if things are rushed I occassionally might still jump in there with him just to get us all done faster. I want to foster openness in discussion of people's body parts and a healthy level of comfort with his body, but I know there is probably a time in which to start showing discretion. Can I get some opinions on this? And do people feel it's a different time frame from same-sex to opposite sex?

Thanks

[Red Pajama]

My boys are 5 and a half, daughter is almost three. The kids will shower with either parent. We don't act weird if we're naked around them, just going about our business getting dressed. and we use matter of fact tones when naming body parts. If there's a time for discretion, I'm not sure when it is.

I suppose at some point they'll want their own space for bathing/showering, and as soon as they do it'll be honored.

[PirateMommy]

Thank you! That's how we've been going about it, it just makes me feel better to hear from another person. It's not like we're nudists or exhibitionists or anything - we just don't make a big deal out of it. Since potty trainig is just around the corner I knew now was not the time to get all "private". lol

[swd12422]

I've been reading lots of similar threads on this topic, b/c I was raised in a very private home, and there was defnitely shrieking on everyone's part. Everything I have read says exactly what Red Pajama is doing. Matter-of-fact, no big deal, and let the kid figure out when they want their privacy.

I have a 2-year-old son who is constantly probing EVERYONE's parts (including the dog's) and identifying where the various potty fluids come out. It's really hard for me to verify his facts and also have him understand that it's really not nice to poke people there, without it being a shriek-fest with hurried covering up. I'm getting better...

[CinCanada]

Things were pretty private in my house growing up too so I'm working to try & make things more open now that my daughter is here. It certainly helped with potty training though there have been times where I've had to try & explain that touching other people's vaginas is going a bit far...
Now if only I could get my hubby on the same page. He has trouble saying the names of body parts out loud & is too embarrased to be naked in front of DD. He still does the "cup & run" when she may perchance get a glimpse of him naked. I keep trying to explain to him that he's got to make it less of a big deal but I think he's afraid she'll reach up & touch his penis. Fair enough but it made it difficult to explain to her that daddy's don't have vaginas when she's never seen anyone other than me naked.

[CinCanada]

oops - back to the OP question - I think we'll wait & see where things start to get uncomfortable to teach modesty too. Amoung my friends we let our daughters that are all under 3 run naked without batting an eye but when my sister brought her 6 yr old son over to run nakey at a party yesterday it admittedly made the other parents uncomfortable.

[motheringforme]

When my husband was 17 he was spanked (ridiculous, he laughed at it I'm sure) for accidentaly walking in the bathroom when his mother was showering. We like to joke that a teenage boy being in that situation would have been punishment enough.

Although I consider myself conservative on sexual issues, we don't run a shameful attitude household. I believe nudity (at appropriate times) is no big deal.

[Nicole730]

Whenever the kids start to appear uncomfortable, we'll stop. Mostly DS just sees us naked when we are getting in or out of the shower. I bathe with DS often too. We are not a 'naked' family per se, but when we are naked, it's not a big deal. Same way I grew up.

[PirateMommy]

I think it all just comes back to what works best for each individual family. Thus far, my instincts have been serving me well. It has been helpful to hear other family stories, however. I know there will come a time to teach the whole "private area. no one touches or you report to me and I subsequently relieve them of their hands." But for the time being, I'm not going to give another thought to casual naked encounters. When my DS covers his eyes and say, "MooOOOM", then I will know the time has come to be more deliberate with privacy.

PS. To Motheringforme, I'm sorry, but I had to stifle a laugh at the expense of your poor husband. I bet you're right about the "spanking" not even being needed after that.