What Age Do You Stop Parental Nudity?
There comes a time for every mom to stop dressing and undressing in front of her children, but how do you know when the time is right? I think that this is a very interesting and important topic, and I’ve read about it in quite a few blogs lately. Lisa Belkin tackled the issue at the Huffington Post, as did her colleague Devon Corneal, and Babble blogger BethAnne wrote about how her toddler son is beginning to notice her body. BethAnne mentioned that she started to feel self-conscious and she started wanting to throw on a bathrobe while being around her toddler, and I just felt that I could completely relate because I went through that with each of my three sons.
When to stop parental nudity during early childhood development?
For me, this started happening with my children when they were around the age of four. When my kiddies were little, I never really thought twice about dressing and undressing in front of them. It was fine and there weren’t any problems, but I do remember very concrete moments in which I became very uncomfortable with being nude in front of my children. I noticed that my children were observing and noticing my body for the first time, so that was kind of my warning to stop and think about how often I was undressing and dressing in front of them. Every parent is different, but I think of myself as being a little more of a modest mom, and I prefer to not walk around naked. Since every parent is different, the decision on when to stop parental nudity in front of children varies. As I mentioned before, it was a very definite moment for me with my sons.
If my sons ran into my room while I was naked, I would usher them out and say, “Mommy needs her privacy.” Not in a mean way, but just in a way that would make it very clear that there was a boundary.
This situation can be a little bit awkward, so if you need any more ideas on how to easily establish a privacy boundary with your toddlers, check out my video! Mamas, have you faced this with your sons or daughters? And if so, how did you handle it? Let me know what you think!
Comments
GerL
I have not faced this issue yet, and I’m hoping it is a while before I have to. My 4 year old son still hops in the shower with me and sees me while I’m changing – and nursing the baby. Maybe because of his young age or the fact that it is a daily occurrence that we don’t make a big deal of, he has yet to have any type of reaction. I think most of the time he is not even paying attention to me when he is in the same room while I am getting dressed. I am interested to know what your older sons thought of you nursing. I have a 14 month old son who I am still nursing, and in the beginning my older son was intrigued by this.
Melissa-CloudMom
Hi there! You are officially our first commenter so I am so excited! I did nurse freely in front of all of my kids. Maybe this is a top versus bottom type of situation! I also pumped in front of them and they were fascinated by that! They do still see me here and there, but since they kind of observe now, I try to avoid the shower stuff b/c I feel a bit awkward. Thanks for commenting!! xo Melissa
Amy
I guess I never really had the issue to think about. I only dressed in front of my boys when they were infants and were sleeping in my room. After that, I would always put on a robe or go into their rooms at night wearing my pajamas. I don’t go clothes shopping with them as that would be a HUGE hassle for me, so I don’t have to worry about taking them into dressing rooms with me. My only issue right now is going to the bathroom at home. I don’t lock myself in when I am home alone with them and my toddler (2 1/2) never lets me go to the bathroom alone. He always barges in and asks me what I’m doing. So I try to keep it as modest as possible when I am in there. But since we are getting closer to potty training, I don’t mind too much. He likes flushing the toilet for me. But that’s really how it works in my household and I think it is because I was raised in a very modest home. I never saw my parents without clothes on or scantily clad, so I do things the same way.
maggyL
My little one is still really young so it’s a non issue but I have thought about this when he’s crawling around on my bed as I get dressed or we are in the bathroom. He is our first so I really don’t know how I will handle it when the time comes but I liked your take on it. It may also be a top versus bottom issue as well b/c if we decide to have a second child I will nurse him/her as well so he will see that.
Sugey
Idk i sort of always have had that same question since i have a 4yearold girl & ages 3, 2 and still nursing a 7 month old boys
paulm
I wood see my mother and dress and undress in front of me at 8 to 9 I remember become sexually aroused she continually did this at age 10 I was afraid of the the dark and she allowed me two sleep in her bed with her for a few years my mother only slept in her panties I remember her telling me once don’t look under the covers 152 and I’m still sexually aroused to my mother sexually attractive my mom didn’t have any curtains on her windows so me and my friend’s could easily watch her masturbate on her bed my mom was single so she wood go out to the nightclubs and dances she would ask me and my friends that were there as she was getting dressed if we could see through her skirt. Could all this be signs of sexual abuse was it by accident or was it on purpose did all these occurred https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/28624f0c44976881c71f34d0c299a9ec291392760e9655a94be1e80eac1ed436.jpg this is my mom