I Was a Grade School Nudist, I've seen things that most people haven't seen.

[NakedGary]

I Was a Grade School Nudist

Jill Hamilton

Yes, I know that every kid is a nudist. But I really was one. Like, officially. As in, card carrying member of the ASA
(American Sunbathing Association.)


Article: http://jezebel.com/5932617/i-was-a-grade-school-nudist

[NudePete]

This is a really good article, pointing out the standard mantra that nudity does not equal sex, but also pointing out that the secrecy that children of naturist families are asked to maintain is definitely not a good thing. It might be a necessary thing, but it is not a desirable thing.

The only way to combat this need is to normalize nudity, making the sight of naked people somehow more usual, less shocking, and more expected in certain situations. I think the best and most subtle and most effective way to support this trend is to introduce, re-introduce or continue to maintain the practice of completely changing into and out of sports gear and being sure to shower at spas and fitness facilities fully nude, and not later at home.

[nimrod]

This same article was posted yesterday here.

http://www.clothesfreeforum.com/show...ol-Nudist-quot

[78828892]

Anything that you ask a child to keep secret, is stressful for the child. I brought up my children completely open about the nude fact. They had the freedom of being nudist or not, they decided not to, even when they saw me naked their entire childhood and teen years. And I never kept it a secret. I was naked in front of them and my wife of course, but also my mother, sister, brothers, and friends. Once, while I was bathing nude at my MIL´s farm, they even saw, to their amazement, that I first forewarned my MIL that I was naked, and the, when she said "I´m not going to see anything new, after four boys and two husbands". Also as a child, or teen, I never kept it secret from my friends from school, or other activities, that I bathed nude in the pool at our farm with my granddad (naked) my brothers (naked) my grandma (not naked), my mom (not naked, but sometimes topless).I think no secret is the way to go.

[foux003]

I didn't carry a membership card but... I worked on a dairy farm next to a nudists camp ground, the farmer even rented their hay and corn fields. So working within sight of all those naked people, and being all sweaty and hot, well we just kinda got naked and went for a swim or a sauna. That was 60 years ago and I am still naked as much as possible.

[NudonyII]

The article struck a personal note with me. My daughter was also a grade school nudist. I wonder if she will recount her nudist experiences later in life in the same semi-cynical manner...

Although there are certainly differences between Jill and my daughter's nudist experience; as a imagine between many nudist kids. For example, Jill says: "As I said, my sisters and I hated our nudist secret. It wasn't the actual nudism so much because, in truth that was kind of fun. Not the naked part, which we really didn't care one way or the other about, but going on adventures — running wild, exploring woods and creeks, water skiing, climbing trees and getting to play grown-up games like pool."
My daughter had a definite preference for nudity when in a nudist setting. She enjoyed the traveling; but I think she liked the nude part even more. I'm not sure what approach Jill's parents took; but we always gave our daughter a sense of choice. And she always opted to be nude. Jill's comments make it sound like she perhaps felt "obligated' to be nude along with her sisters.

This is a really good article, pointing out the standard mantra that nudity does not equal sex, but also pointing out that the secrecy that children of naturist families are asked to maintain is definitely not a good thing. It might be a necessary thing, but it is not a desirable thing.

I looked for ways around the "secrecy" issue. But after a couple of vocal "coming out"s - and subsequent backlashes, her Mom and I felt we had no choice. Nudism became a family secret. My daughter had two lives: "normal" elementary school girl with one set of friends and acquaintances around whom she was always dressed; and "nudist kid", with nude friends and acquaintances around whom she was always nude. I think she did ok reconciling the "two worlds"; at least until she was 8 or so. Then it became too much of a hassle.

No doubt, it is a pickle.

[jasenj]

I think she did ok reconciling the "two worlds"; at least until she was 8 or so. Then it became too much of a hassle.

Are you saying it became a secret when she reached 8, or did your family stop being "practicing nudists" after that age?

My daughter is almost 9 and we've never gone to nudist or naturist places with her. Our situation is a little more complicated as we are "conservative" Christians and there's the whole church issue to deal with. But both my wife and I are casually naked around the house (doors stay open when changing clothes, don't cover up going to or from the shower). We've presented nudity as a "politeness" issue - you don't pick your nose in public, and you don't go naked in public. I hope that at some age we can present to her that there are some places where being naked is perfectly fine. (I'm really hoping we can take her to Europe and experience some CO beaches over there.)

- Jasen.

[naturalmanwa]

Are you saying it became a secret when she reached 8, or did your family stop being "practicing nudists" after that age?

My daughter is almost 9 and we've never gone to nudist or naturist places with her. Our situation is a little more complicated as we are "conservative" Christians and there's the whole church issue to deal with. But both my wife and I are casually naked around the house (doors stay open when changing clothes, don't cover up going to or from the shower). We've presented nudity as a "politeness" issue - you don't pick your nose in public, and you don't go naked in public. I hope that at some age we can present to her that there are some places where being naked is perfectly fine. (I'm really hoping we can take her to Europe and experience some CO beaches over there.)

- Jasen.

One does have to be careful when you belong to a church. Nothing like have someone "drop by" unanounced when you're nude outdoors. That happened to me, but fortunately I was in the garden weeding and managed to get into the shop where I something to put on, without being seen.

[NudonyII]

Are you saying it became a secret when she reached 8, or did your family stop being "practicing nudists" after that age?- Jasen.

Nope; we had "the talk" with her when she was about 4 and started vocalizing her nudist experiences - openly. The dropping-out didn't begin until she was about 8 - and reached its apogee when she was 10.