INFORMATION PLEASE!!!!

[threadbare]

In the last few days, my wife, who was very eager to enjoy the back-yard pool to be installed this coming spring, in the nude with our toddler daughter, has now made a turnaround. It seems she has been reading mumbo-jumbo from Dr. Spock (GOD), being a first time mother,she is eager to take in all information she can. Dr.Spock says it is unhealthy for children over the age of 3 or 4 to be exposed to pro-longed nudity.
I know there aren't many that post, but I would like to hear from nudist "mothers", and their views. Also I would like to know if there are any other Dr.s or important people with letters behind their names, to get their side, one that doesn't come from Dr. Spock's stone-age.
His view is that young males will develope an iferiority complex comparing his size to dad's, and young women fall in love with dad.
I'd also like to hear from young adults who were raised nudist, obviously you turned out all-right, or even if you could ask your parents.
I'm between a rock and a hard place, I love my wife and kids (9-months & due in july) and I love my freedom from clothes. But I'd put on a swimsuit to keep my wife happy.
Please....I need some arguements for my side.

[threadbare]

In the last few days, my wife, who was very eager to enjoy the back-yard pool to be installed this coming spring, in the nude with our toddler daughter, has now made a turnaround. It seems she has been reading mumbo-jumbo from Dr. Spock (GOD), being a first time mother,she is eager to take in all information she can. Dr.Spock says it is unhealthy for children over the age of 3 or 4 to be exposed to pro-longed nudity.
I know there aren't many that post, but I would like to hear from nudist "mothers", and their views. Also I would like to know if there are any other Dr.s or important people with letters behind their names, to get their side, one that doesn't come from Dr. Spock's stone-age.
His view is that young males will develope an iferiority complex comparing his size to dad's, and young women fall in love with dad.
I'd also like to hear from young adults who were raised nudist, obviously you turned out all-right, or even if you could ask your parents.
I'm between a rock and a hard place, I love my wife and kids (9-months & due in july) and I love my freedom from clothes. But I'd put on a swimsuit to keep my wife happy.
Please....I need some arguements for my side.

[luvnaturism]

Sadly enough she has turned to a largely discredited source for her information. One of my regrets is that, not knowing any better, we raised our kids according to Dr. Spock. There's a lot connected with that that I wish we'd done differently. And that's not even discussing naturism.

You might think about two approaches. One is to join her in studying Dr. Spock, and raise questions about his teachings that are unrelated to nudity. "Is it really good for a crying child to be held as little as possible?" [Major, major bad advice]

After finding several items that you can both agree to reject, then you can ask, "Is this reliable advice about nudity?"

Another approach is to find more up to date material that is body positive. Check out this link: www.naturistlife.com

There's also a good paper on the net written by a professor at California State University at Sacramento. Right now I can't think of his name, but perhaps someone else will be able to point you to it.

Don't panic. If your child is only nine months old, you're some time from when the issue will become critical.

[dbickin]

You might want to check out Nude & Natural issue 18.3 which has an article by Mark Storey on Dr Spock. You may be able to find the article on TNS's web site.

David

[Bob S.]

Well, there is a book called "The Naked Child; Growing Up Without Shame" by Dennis Craig (who has a BA)and Dr. William Sparks (who has a BS, Masters, and PhD in I am assuming psychology--they don't say what their degrees are in).

This book talks about the effects of growing up in a nudist household with interviews from about 17 adults who were raised in nudist or at least nudity-open homes. It also begins in the first chapter with the exact situation that you are in, advice from Spock (not the vulcan) which made her rethink her ideas about home nudity.

This book, I will warn you, is slow reading and is really a study put into a book format with a readable intro and somewhat interesting interviews. Since you are looking for something to counter Dr. Spock, who conducted no studies and, in fact, theorized his views based on his young son's (about 2 or 3) actions in the bathroom while he shaved naked (the boy reached for his penis, which to Spock meant that he was overly attracted to it). That's the extent of his research as far as I know. Even Freud would need more than that to go on.

There was also a study put out more recently about preschoolers and how home nuudity affects body acceptance at their age. It is somewhere on the internet, however I cannot remember the URL. Anyone else know? One last thing, DO NOT write to Annie's MAilbox (very anti-nudist), Dear Abby (somewhat anti-nudist), or Dr. Brothers (she thinks children will go at it like bunnies if left alone).

Good luck, not only with the wife, but also with the child. I work in day care and have dealt with toddlers. They can be a handful!

Bob S.

[Bob S.]

I forgot to mention that the place I got this book was from www.enature.net

They are very good about quick mailing and also have a snail-mail address if you want to send a check the old fashioned way.

Bob S.

[threadbare]

LUVNATURISM, DBICKEN, & BOB THANKS FOR YOUR REPLIES. I HAVE CORRESPONDED WITH THE CUNNINGHAMS, ORDERED THE ARTICLE, AND ORDERED THE BOOK YOU SUGGESTED ( LOCALLY ). GONNA GET MY WAGONS IN A CIRCLE WITH MY INFO BEFOE I APPROACH MY WIFE.
I WOULD STILL LIKE TO HEAR FROM NATURIST PARENTS AND POSSIBLY FROM RT OR CT ON THE SUBJECT.
THANKS AGAIN!!!!

[Bob S.]

No problem, Threadbare. And if I may quote the Vulcan Spock, "Live lone and prosper" (and do so while naked). : }

Bob S.

[nudeM]

I have bee looking at the Helios Natura site lately, and I was wondering about the organization. I understand this organization originates in Europe. I have notice that there are entire families involved, which includes many women and children of all ages. Is there a Helios Natura group here in the States? If so, are there any groups here on the west coast? I would like to learn more about their beliefs other than the fact they practice nudist activities whereas everyone in the family gets involved. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks