Nudist parents & children of opposite sex

[luv2bnude]

I was reading a lot of topics regarding raising children as nudists in different scenarios, etc. As a person who is considering someday raising children as nudists, I was wondering about any issues parents might have had when introducing their children to the nudist lifestyle.
I was wondering if any of the parents or their children out there ever felt uneasy about their inital time being nudists w/ each other, when mixed gender is involved (fathers w/ daughters; mothers w/ sons).
Based on anyone's experiences, is it better to introduce children to nudism at an earlier age, or wait until they're a little older? I'm guessing that when smaller children are involved, it's not much of a problem - but if the kids were almost teens or older, that initial step could be a bit more awkward for both.

[luv2bnude]

I was reading a lot of topics regarding raising children as nudists in different scenarios, etc. As a person who is considering someday raising children as nudists, I was wondering about any issues parents might have had when introducing their children to the nudist lifestyle.
I was wondering if any of the parents or their children out there ever felt uneasy about their inital time being nudists w/ each other, when mixed gender is involved (fathers w/ daughters; mothers w/ sons).
Based on anyone's experiences, is it better to introduce children to nudism at an earlier age, or wait until they're a little older? I'm guessing that when smaller children are involved, it's not much of a problem - but if the kids were almost teens or older, that initial step could be a bit more awkward for both.

[nudeM]

I'm sorry, I can't really answer your question as far as raising kids. I started too late myself (4 years ago). My oldest is 25 and on her own, a son 21, in the Navy and one still at home, along with a grandson who we are raising.

Personally, I believe it would be wiser to start out at a young age. The kids would already be used to the naked body and that much more ahead of the majority of other kids. By the initial 'shock' of seeing Dad naked for the first time was very hard on them, but they have adapted, except for the Daughter. She is still totally against it, so I cover up when she comes over.

Just my personal opinion. As I have been a member for the past 3 years, the majority have basically stated the same. But you will definately get some very good advice from other 'seasoned' nudists. http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[luvnaturism]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by luv2bnude:
As a person who is considering someday raising children as nudists,.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You're lucky in that you're addressing this issue before you even have children on the horizon. Lots of us--I'm definitely speaking of myself here--didn't understand or practice naturism until it was too late to benefit our kids.

When the children are small it's absolutely natural for them to see you nude. Up to 5 or 6 they want to be where you are anyway, and you just about have to lock them out of the bedroom if you don't want them watching you change clothes, bathe, visit the toilet, etc.

All that naturist parents really need to do is to just keep on doing what they did around the home they way they did it when the kids were little. That will be the kids' reality, and they won't think anything of that.

When they're small they'll love it if you take them to a beach and let them play naked, or take them to a naturist club. Just let that continue to be part of your family's activities as they get older.

As they approach their teen years it's essential to let them make more decisions on their own. They'll demand it anyway; it's part of growing up. At some point you'll let them decide whether to go with you or stay home when you visit Aunt Susie. You can also let them decide whether to go with you to the nude beach, and if they go they get to decide whether to drop their clothes.

[NudeAl]

You answered your own question, the earlier the better.

When kids are young they have no preconceived notions regarding nudity. It is only as they age the begin to take in information from the outside world that they begin to have issues with nudity. That is why it is important to continue positive reinforcement of your beliefs in healthy non-sexual family nudity to counter act all negative stereotyping of nudity rampant in our society.

If only one of the parents is into nudity then the kids get conflicting signals or signals that it is okay for one sex to be nude but not the other. For this reason it is best if both parents agree on it issue of nudity around the house or in a social situation such as a club, resort or beach.

I have found with my own kids the critical years are those around the onset of puberty. Kids really become aware of their changing bodies and begin feeling awkward and embaressed, so you really need to listen to them and even bring the issue out in the open to discuss it.

[KetchumMaine]

It is strange how young children have the sense to fight being clothed, but adults do not.

[nudenwv]

i think starting children at an earlier age is beneficial. our daughter who is twenty six chooses not to see dad nude. i do not eforce the issue and say we should all be nude. this would be very uncomfortable with her and my wife making this a bad experience. this is not what it's about. in time maybe they will join me on their own.

[Nudony]

Starting while they're still in the crib is the best way to go. My daughter spent a lot of her first 5 years nude and around her nude parents, and we still each other nude on a random basis; so she's never had to "wonder" whether nudity was a good or bad thing. She was about 3 when she had her first social nudist experience. All it took was for my wife to undress her, and she was like a fish in water; I actually had a hard time controlling her because she was running all over the place!

Starting out when the kids are older may or may not be more complicated; depending on many factors. But communication with the child/teen is essential in these cases. Around puberty, there might be some uneasiness when it comes to daughter seeing dad nude, or son seeing mother nude. But I think in many cases, it's just a temporary "akwardness."

[florida-david]

My one son started to not like to be naked at about 8 years old and is generally clothed. My other son is always naked when possible, and he's 9 now. In other words, depends on the kid.

I would suggest to be naked with them when they are young, and than they will think that is normal. My older son will still shower with any of us, he just does not like to be naked at any other time. He does not mind hanging around the house in his boxers, but not naked. Puberty had nothing to do with it, i think he is influenced by societal pressures.

[Tampanude]

I think puberty is a very difficult time for all of us. There are many emotoinal changes that accompany the outward physical ones. From what i've seen the less attention is drawn to the outward appearance and more attention paid to their intellectual development seems to ease the tension. Just an observation.
Definitely an emotional guessing game

[tinner666]

Earlier is probably best. But, I've seen them introduced to the resort and to their parents nudity at every age. I've even seen grandparents introduced to nudity at the resort for the first time. With their kids and grandkids.
Results vary with the individual. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[BackpackerBrian]

There's a book I've seen, "Growing Up Without Shame" which is a study into this very topic. Maybe it would be helpful to check it out. You can purchase it at http://www.internaturally.com/catawarebook.html

Good Luck!

[shãybare]

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/cool4.gif
I have the book and I feel it is very well written and illustrated. I would recommend it to all, parents or not.

[Nudony]

I haven't read the book; does it give "how-to" guidelines or tips for parents, or does it solely focus on the benefits of a nudist upbgringing? I think what a lot of parents today need is a sort of "Idiot's Guide to Raising Kids Clothesfree", rather than just "nudism is great for kids". What parents need is a choice of methods on how to handle the situation according to the kid's age, how to determine if a direct or or gradual method is best, how to persuade instead of forcing, and how to handle potential adverse reactions.

I'm sure it's a great book, but is it really complete?

[foux003]

My daughter and son were taken to public nude areas when they were stil in diapers. Their spouses won't do it won't let them do it. My stepson and stepdaughter were not introduced to nude way of life until they were 15 and 14 and they still get naked as much as posible. Its their spouse which won't hear of it. Both my daughters made good money dancing at a strip club when they were in their early twentys. I would guess that its all up to the child and their personality

[chadnude]

I have been nude around my two daughters from the time they were born. We chose to shower with them rather than bath them, even when a few months old. Then when a little older they had showers with us. Now they are not into double figures (in years) but am still nude round them. They choose not to go nude generally, except in the the summer sometimes. One is quite happy to go nude at the nude beach the other one less so.

[Bare in the Desert]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by luv2bnude:
I was reading a lot of topics regarding raising children as nudists in different scenarios, etc. As a person who is considering someday raising children as nudists, I was wondering about any issues parents might have had when introducing their children to the nudist lifestyle.
I was wondering if any of the parents or their children out there ever felt uneasy about their inital time being nudists w/ each other, when mixed gender is involved (fathers w/ daughters; mothers w/ sons).
Based on anyone's experiences, is it better to introduce children to nudism at an earlier age, or wait until they're a little older? I'm guessing that when smaller children are involved, it's not much of a problem - but if the kids were almost teens or older, that initial step could be a bit more awkward for both. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

My girlfriend and her 12 yr old daughter and I and my 6 yr old daugher joined households a few years back. We both, in our separate houses, were home nudists so our children were use to their own parents. After much discussion between us and with the kids we decided to give nudism in the new house a try. My 6 yr old had no problems at all but because our 12 yr really was not around nude males before it was a slow start. It took a couple of weeks for her and I to get use to it but after that it was no big deal. She wasnt really much of a nudist to begin with and now that she has hit puberty she is not a nudist at all. Now after 2.5 years she could care less.

In my opinion the earlier you start the better. As babies all they want to do is be naked anyway.

[justnude]

For the last 10 years we have raised our kids as nudists. Our oldest was 8 at the time. There have been no major issues to speak of because of the nudity in our home and our frequent visits to resorts and nude friendly destinations. In fact, I feel that our kids are pretty well adjusted and knowledgable about their bodies and those of the opposite sex as a result. Living in a household with 4 teen nudist boys and 1 daughter, each has seen the occassional "wood" and accept it as a natural happening. The boys know when they see their sister with pants on that it is "her time" and again, just accept it as life.