Absolutely, my children do see me without clothes. And honestly, it’s not a big deal.
As I stand in front of my closet, my son, Ben, casually follows me from the bathroom. He’s animatedly telling me a story, and while holding my towel in one hand, I rummage through my drawer for some underwear. I pause to inform him, “I’m getting dressed now.” He nods and continues with his tale as I let my towel slip and put on my undies. There’s no awkwardness or lingering gaze from him; he’s completely unfazed by my nudity.
I’m not one to hide my body from my kids. While I wouldn’t walk around the house naked all the time, I don’t ask them to leave the room if I need to change clothes. Since they’ve been exposed to my nudity since infancy, it’s simply never been an issue for us.
My daughters, who are both teenagers now, and Ben, who is 8, have always had open conversations about bodies. We use proper terms and speak with awe about the incredible functions of our bodies. It’s important to me that they cultivate a positive body image, so I try to model that by treating my physical self with respect and staying free from embarrassment.
When they were younger, avoiding nudity in front of them felt unnecessary. After all, they breastfed and were so close to me, especially in those early years. I bathed with them during toddlerhood, and let’s not forget the countless times they witnessed me using the bathroom! It seemed illogical to start covering up parts of myself they had already seen, as long as they felt comfortable.
They’ve always understood that showing private body parts to others isn’t acceptable, and we’ve had many discussions about body safety. However, my changing clothes or showering has always been treated differently; it’s never felt inappropriate for them to see me naked, just as it’s not for them to be naked in front of me.
As time has gone on, they’ve started to seek privacy for bathroom visits and getting dressed. For my daughters, this began around puberty, and while Ben is still comfortable with my nudity, I know that will change one day. When he decides he wants privacy, I’ll respect his wishes without hesitation.
I’m genuinely grateful for the open communication we share. We’ve made it clear that no topic is off the table, and we respect their choices about their bodies. Even as they grow and desire more privacy, they’ve never expressed discomfort about seeing me naked. They’re willing to give me space if I ask, but it’s not a problem if I don’t.
Experiences in other cultures have shaped my views on this issue. During my time in Japan, I visited an onsen—a public bath—where women and girls enter completely nude. It was liberating to be in such an environment, where nudity wasn’t weird. Additionally, in Scandinavian countries, families often share saunas without clothes, and it’s considered perfectly normal. Clearly, there’s nothing inherently wrong with children seeing their parents naked, as confirmed by the healthy attitudes in these cultures.
I also believe that allowing my kids to see my naked body may help quell any natural curiosity they have about adult bodies. If they never encounter a real, adult form, how will they understand the changes their bodies will undergo? Relying on illustrations in textbooks or inappropriate content isn’t the answer. I prefer they see a normal, real woman’s body, imperfections and all, and embrace its beauty.
Ultimately, as long as both you and your kids are comfortable, there’s nothing wrong with them seeing you naked. Follow their cues and ensure everyone feels at ease. Let’s not turn something natural into a taboo.
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In summary, openness about nudity in a family can foster healthy conversations about bodies and self-acceptance. It’s essential to respect boundaries as children grow and to maintain a comfortable environment where everyone feels safe expressing their needs.
Keyphrase: nudity in parenting
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