Raising Nudist Children.... Ideas?

[R.M. Greenman]

I know to some of you that have been on this forum a long time that this issue might have been beat to death, but I haven't on this forum for about a year and a half and have missed alot. Anyhow, I would like to hear ideas from parents on how to raise them not to be ashamed of their bodies, to make them understand why it is O.K. to be naked sometimes but not all the time,some places are o.k. and other places are not. Most of all, how do I impart(?) on them that although being naked is natural but we still hide from society because to many of the "VOTING" majority that to be naked is to be wicked.
In case you are wondering, my kids are 7 and 5.The 5yr. old has no problem about being naked in a clothing free social setting but my 7yr. old is starting to have second thoughts. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[R.M. Greenman]

I know to some of you that have been on this forum a long time that this issue might have been beat to death, but I haven't on this forum for about a year and a half and have missed alot. Anyhow, I would like to hear ideas from parents on how to raise them not to be ashamed of their bodies, to make them understand why it is O.K. to be naked sometimes but not all the time,some places are o.k. and other places are not. Most of all, how do I impart(?) on them that although being naked is natural but we still hide from society because to many of the "VOTING" majority that to be naked is to be wicked.
In case you are wondering, my kids are 7 and 5.The 5yr. old has no problem about being naked in a clothing free social setting but my 7yr. old is starting to have second thoughts. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[nudecollar]

My advice would be just to be naturally naked in front of your children, and let them follow suit. That's what my wife and I always did. If your 7 yr old is going through a modest period, let it be. (He? She?) will eventually decide just to be himself. As far as their rules are concerned, teach your kids that they can be free about their nudity in the family setting, but outside of that they have to be more modest.

[Aaron Adams]

I believe that parents should pass their values on to their children but I also believe that children should be free to choose whether or not they wish to be naked in a particular setting and if they choose to be clothed that the parents should accept that choice.

[Bob S.]

How do you explain to your children when they can and cannot wear their bathing suits? If you go to church, do you explain to them why they can't just wear their old, beat-up play clothes? Are pajamas acceptable for school?

As nudecollar suggested, guide them, be a model for them and let them choose to be naked or not. Don't overcomplicate things here, you don't have to go through your whole diatribe whenever you have to go out. Just tell them, "We need to go to the store now, let's get dressed." They are only 5 and 7. That is still young enough to accept your orders without too much questioning of authority.

As for your seven-year-old child's reluctance, that's her(?) decision. Don't say anything about whatever she decides. Just let her choose and go about your life making your own decisions about how you want to dress. Have you been to a nudist park lately? If so, how did your oldest take to it? She may just need more friends in that lifestyle.

Good luck..you'll need it.

Bob S.

[Kenny G]

The best advice I could offer is to live your life as you feel proper, this will in itself impart your beliefs to your kids. Kids learn more by example than spoken word, in as much as they'll argue with thier parents but when the time comes to be mature, they've usually adopted thier parents ways. This is probably oversimplification, but do your thing and let the kids choose what they want to do. They all usually go through a shy period, especially during the formative years when thier bodies are developing. Don't push the issue, but lead by example. Just remember that kids see more than we think sometimes, so practice what you preach, so to speak.....

[R.M. Greenman]

Just to clarify real quick, I would never force them to be naked at anytime. My 7yr. old was only reluctant until she saw other kids her age and then had no problem. I know that kids go through a shy stage closer to puberty, but at 7 I wasn't really expecting it and had started thinking she might have been told that it was wrong by an outside influence. She really is advanced in her thinking. I guess you really can't keep them small! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

[Kenny G]

quote:

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Originally posted by R.M. Greenman:
[qb] Just to clarify real quick, I would never force them to be naked at anytime. My 7yr. old was only reluctant until she saw other kids her age and then had no problem. I know that kids go through a shy stage closer to puberty, but at 7 I wasn't really expecting it and had started thinking she might have been told that it was wrong by an outside influence. She really is advanced in her thinking. I guess you really can't keep them small! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] [/qb]

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Sometimes kids mature faster than others, or possible at age seven, a school discussion or a news article could have prompted some confusion. Just think how an news article on child molesters or child pornography could be interpreted by a young mind. That's why I posted earlier to lead by example, if the children see the way we live our lives, then they'll come to see this as "normal". If they see that you relax naked at home, but get dressed to go out and to work then theoretically they'll adopt these same practices as they grow. This isn't always true of course, but then human behavior is something I'll never quite grasp.

[Ed Hill]

We have always been home nudists, even before the kids were born. They both have chosen to wear clothes at all times including bed. I have asked them politely to try sleeping nude. But they won't even try it. The other day our daughter was out of underwear at bedtime, and had a fit when my wife suggested that she wear her pajamas without undies that night. (I found her a clean pair!!)

Our son is 14 and our daughter is 11, and neither adopted our lifestyle for themselves, and now with puberty, they are even more closeted when they dress. They have on the otherhand, accepted that Mom and Dad enjoy being nude a good part of the time and have told us that it's cool and does not bother them at all. So we do our thing and they do theirs. They just make a lot more wash than we do!!! LOL

So you never know how they will turn out!

Ed

[nudefather]

quote:

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Originally posted by R.M. Greenman:
[qb] I know to some of you that have been on this forum a long time that this issue might have been beat to death, but I haven't on this forum for about a year and a half and have missed alot. Anyhow, I would like to hear ideas from parents on how to raise them not to be ashamed of their bodies, to make them understand why it is O.K. to be naked sometimes but not all the time,some places are o.k. and other places are not. Most of all, how do I impart(?) on them that although being naked is natural but we still hide from society because to many of the "VOTING" majority that to be naked is to be wicked.
In case you are wondering, my kids are 7 and 5.The 5yr. old has no problem about being naked in a clothing free social setting but my 7yr. old is starting to have second thoughts. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [/qb]

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WOW! Its really great to see this hear. R.M I know what you are going through. I have a child the same age as you are speaking of . I have no trouble with my 7yr old at this time. I have raised my little one from age 5 that it is ok to be nude. As parents we both know what we teach our children at home might be alot different from what they learn amongst peers/staff at their school. I know..my 7yr old comes home and tells me all kinds of stories! You've been there right?

I have taught my daughter about todays society..that most people look down at what we do..that there will be all kinds of people who will make & poke fun at us, but that it is ok because god made us without clothes and thats how he wants us to be. Please excuse me..I don't want to sound holy hear...but we do go to church,I do know this may not be the answer to give to your child not knowing you & all & your children, but what I find so easy to keep my entire family comfortable (including my 7yr old) is keep returning to the same resort or campground you visit. I found that doing this it makes my entire family, including my 7yr old, so very comfortable to be getting undressed. I have been bringing my family to the same resort for over 3 yrs...during this time my 7yr old has grown a relationship with every member that walks the grounds!

My point is: children grow to their surroundings, if you keep returning to where its ok to be NUDE in a social place, it might be different for you keeping "Family Nudism" at home. This is just what I have been through...and what I have learned raising nudist children. Although you & your family might be different, it might be what they are learning in school that might be different from your lifestyle.

Its just wonderful to me right now to see a post about children here! R.M. I pray that you continue your family and your little 7yr old down the path you are leading them. We need more nudist FAMILIES! I wish you the best for you & yours!

[FLslimguy]

Good discussion.... I have found that as kids (even ones who accept nudism as a child) approach puberty, they are affected by peer pressures and influences that mom and dad have no control over. In fact, we don't even KNOW about! They are dealing with body and hormone changes going on..even though they have seen the results...
It's almost as if they need someone their own age to guide them at that point. Then it becomes more acceptable to their own minds...to their peers. They don't want to discuss stuff with mom or dad at that point. Church groups can set back nudism (depending on the group), wacky news items and tv comments, and desperate politians can cause a negative influence. But all you can do is show the freedom and enjoyment that YOU have and let decisions fall as they may. I'm afraid that nudism is not and will never be "mainstream" and teens & young adults love to be mainstream...
Resorts or nudist groups should allow more input from younger members... more kid activities, more fun things kids and young adults like to do instead of stodgy old fart stuff. You might find that all of a sudden, they are wanting to be nude and invite friends on top of that!

[R.M. Greenman]

I want to get a jump on a possible scenerio(sp?). Have any of you parents had a child who was told by an outside influence that our lifestyle is evil and/or abusive or had for one reason or another had the S.S. (social service) show up. None of these things have come around yet and hopefully never will but I try to think and plan for the worse. Also, sooner than I want, my daughters will be teenagers, and I keep wondering what my reaction should be if one of them brings a boy home and goes skinny dipping in the pool. I will teach them the dangers of unprotected sex and will hope that they will set the boundries. Ah heck! I'm starting to ramble. I appreciate all the responce I am getting and am glad that so far I'm doing it right. P.S. Kenny G. How is Jacksonville these days? I used to live there, near Lake ave. and Normandy BLVD. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Abiqua]

First of all, your concerns about social services are valid - you can't count on judges or bureaucrats exercising good sense. The best that you can do is to keep your own conduct with your kids above any suspicion, to avoid any valid charges.
As far as comments by others are concerned, it's best to let the kids know that there are people have different opinions on just about everything, including nudism.
Regarding your daughters, I wouldn't worry too much about them skinnydipping in the pool with their boyfriends, apart from possibly wanting to seek permission from the boys' parents first. It's a safe environment.
If you're concerned about sexual activity, this is something about which non-nudists have to worry too. After all, if they have enough privacy for sex, then it doesn't matter that they were wearing clothes when you last saw them, they'll have enough privacy to get nude.
Nudist children probably have less pressure for sex, as they don't need to use intercourse as an excuse to see the opposite sex nude - non-nudist teens sometimes do feel that, if they're going to ask to see their special someone naked, then the only reason for that will be to copulate, and that it's expected.