As soon as my daughter gets home from Pre-K, her clothes come off. She'll prance around the house naked until I get her to put her clothes back on. But it's only minutes before she's naked again. Then when I tell her to put her clothes back on, she goes into her drawer and takes out another outfit. Just to wear them for a while, then she's naked again. This goes on and on, and the laundry gets piled up because of this. Any advice on how to keep this little girl dressed until it's time to take a bath or put PJs on?
I wouldn't bother. My children were both like that for years, but are now very carefully, modestly, and thoroughly dressed. May as well allow them to do what they want to at home where they can, since they will have to face the wider world's fear of nakedness soon enough.
M.
My kids always strip when they get to the house too! I allow my boys to wear just their boxers in the house and my daughter a shirt and her underwear. If you are not comfortable with her not fully clothed in the house, how about some house clothes? Something comfortable that she can change into. An oversized t-shirt and some shorts, etc. It sounds as though a power struggle is developing. Explain why it is you don't want her walking around naked -if guests come over, too cold, etc. and then give options for her to pick from.
Good luck!
A.
My daughter does this too. No worries - Based on the responses so far it sounds pretty normal... My deal with my daughter is that if she takes off clothes she's worn less than an hour and/or if she's not been outside, she has to put them back in the drawer - neatly. I refuse to wash clean clothes. Also, because she has an older brother and because we have company (she once stripped in front of her older brother's friend and both boys were thoroughly embarrased but she thought all was well!!!) - I have taken to telling her that young ladies are not allowed to prance naked and need to keep their top and bottom covered for manners sake. I also told her she may run around in a t-shirt and underwear, change into her pjs (which is usually a tshirt anyway) or shorts and tank top (if she's complaining "but I'm hotttt"). I like the idea of the post before that says they put the clothes on a chair to put the same ones back on too. Good idea. Good luck. Just know it seems to be a girl thing - and I have to believe they will grow out of it.
Good morning C.--
It sounds like you have a very free, creative spirit at home! I couple ideas come to mind--when she comes home, catch her up in music to dance to (play guitar and sing for her if you can or just play lots of different styles of music)...give her an assortment of scarves to dance with (or have a special scarf/costume drawer for her after school dancing times)...then after dancing, have her take her bath and put on a warmup suit till dinner...make it a special activity at a special time -- each day, or three days a week to channel this tendency into a positive performance and creative outlet. You might want to talk with her teacher at school to see if she--or other kids-- shows any hint of this tendency at school? Or is there some "show and tell" activity going on in the bathroom between the girls --it is normal...
My god daughter (now 11 years old) has always been very kinetic and dramatic and creative and her mom has had her in ballet, hip hop, jazz lessons from an early age--maybe some dance lessons would be a good outlet for her physical expressions? D. :>
My daughter who just turned nine did this until she was about 5 or 6 years old. We just let he be naked and didn't make a big deal about it. She was known as naked baby around the neighborhood. It seems strange now, but it was just her. Anyway, we would just tell her that it was fine to be naked, but we if you want to go somewhere (park, store, etc.) we have to put clothes on. She was funny, she would ask to leave somewhere so she could go home and "get naked". She is nine now and sometimes will see a picture of herself when she was little and ask "why am I naked?" I just say because that is how you liked to be. She laughs at herself.
She outgrew it and realized that the rest of the world wears clothes and that is how it is.
I would let her be naked as much as she can and not draw attention to it, she will eventually catch on and model the behavior of wearing clothes like the rest of the familiy, unless of course you are nudists, then that's a whole other topic.... :)
A.
I am chuckling reading your post.
My 4 year old is the same way. Ditto with my three year old niece ~ even our 6 year old neighbor has similar issues with clothing! They are around people for 5 minutes and then they are streakers! Is it a girl thing?
It's heartening to hear of similar cases. I privately envision the days when my preschooler's modesty threshold actually kicks in! :)
I know what you are talking about. I have two girls. My oldest is six and my youngest is 3 almost 4. My older daughter use to take her clothes off just like your seems to and guess what? My younger one is doing it now. I do think it is a normal phase but I basically say to my daughter that what happens if one of her friends comes and knocks on the door and she is naked. Not only only will she not get to come in but she will not be allowed to play either. It seems to work. Hope this helps.
My son is the exact same way. He's 5. I also allow him to just wear his boxers. The deal we've worked out is he has to put his clothes on a chair. That way if he decided to get dressed again he has clothes ready.
The answer could be, "costumes"! A special drawer or trunk with her favorite character's dress-up clothes might just convince her to stay dressed like a princess for the day.
