Nudity?

I think my sons stopped seeing me nude when they were about 3 years old. My kids are 8 and 5, my 5 year old is a bit more aware of body parts and started asking questions at about 3 about why my body is different than daddy's. That was fun, trying to explain body parts. Enjoy the innocence while it lasts!

I stopped when my dtr, who was showering with me, looked up at me and said "That's crazy". I told her I know honey, that's what I say everyday. I never laughed so hard. That was right around 2 1/2 yrs old. I figured it was time for her to bathe alone, especially if I wanted any self dignity! Good Luck to you..
L.

Hi Lisa:

My opposite-sex kids bathed together until they didn't want to anymore. They also both would shower with daddy or I. We didn't have a problem explaining that boys are different than girls, and that about covered it for our kids until they were older. In our experience, the kids developed some natural modesty at about 6-7 years old, but before then, we didn't make a big deal about it either way -- we felt it wasn't worth the effort to explain why it was a big deal to shower with daddy (or mom).
That being said, how do you feel about it? Really it is your level of comfort that will make the difference here. If you are feeling funny about it, then just don't do it anymore. If you don't feel uncomfortable and dad doesn't either, then go right ahead. . . I doubt anyone has been seriously harmed by seeing their naked parent before. In that case, take your cue from your kid - they will tell you when it's time to stop.

J.
J.

Well I am with Sara S. My kids take baths, but if we are short on time they jump in the shower with either me or my husband. They ask questions, which I think is wonderful. Their little brains are working! We are honest and they know all the body parts. Our bodies are our bodies. One of my daughters is 4.5 and she showers with, and every once in a while with her dad. But really she is at the age where she really knows the diffence and would prefer to shower with me. We dont force them to shower with us, if it works out then so be it. My oldest daughter was probably five when she took her last shower with me.

My son is 4 and I still take showers with him. I think you should stop when it becomes uncomfortable or to many questions are asked that at a certain age can't be understood. Most of the time, my 4 year old wants me to hurry up and get out so he can play car wash by himself :) Now you'll get a bunch of different oppinions and in my opinion no answer is wrong, it just depends on what is right for you and your family.
Good Luck,
J. in Macomb, MI

WOW! I didn't think that I would be in the minority on this issue. In our family we are open and honest. We showered with the kids and changed in front of them until they started to show signs that they were uncomfortable with it. We answered every question to the best of our ability and even <gasp!> taught our boys the correct names for their body parts.

According to my mom, my sister and I showered with our parents until we were 5 or 6. We're both healthy, happy adults now, with no emotional scars from the experience. I probably will handle the situation with my girls the same way my parents did.

Lisa, we are very open w/our children too, however, when I noticed that my son, at 2, was liking the opposite sex, I thought it wasn't appropriate any longer to let him shower w/me. I didn't feel comfortable w/it. When he was just over two, we caught him hiding behind the couch to look at my Victoria Secret catalog! He knows all of the "parts" and we use the correct terms, but I just don't feel like he should see his mommy naked anymore. However, every parent is different :) Do what you are comfortable with.

My daughter took showers with her dad until she was 3 years old and to be honest, I was uncomfortable with it. I never told him and was glad when he finally stopped doing it on his own. I think 2 is old enough for a little girl to see that.

I stopped letting my son see me nude at round 2, 2.5. I really knew it was time when he asked when he would get breast like mommie.

Actually my daughter just turned two and we have started talking about this too. We are thinking about stopping it now because she is so inquisitive and points to everything "what's this, what's this?" ...not sure if we are ready for her to ask about the body parts yet so we think it's probably time. I'm curious to see what others think on this too.
-W.

when they start asking tooooo many questions about why you all are different.........

Hello Lisa.

I think you should stop now because kids are different in their own way some kids remember a lot of things in their younger age, and you may not think they do just pay attention to the things they say and do. I really think you should start doing all the shower bathing with her, because that's important for her the mom and daughter relationship begin to develop.