Casual Family Nudity

It's great to see you have some freedom to enjoy nudism, but I find it sad that you are not sharing that freedom with your children. They to should have that opportunity. I don't mean you should force them, but they should have the "choice" of nudism/nudity or not.

 

I have thought about that idea and within our own household as they grew up, there wasn't any hangups with nudity. However, as they grew older, the inevitability of having to explain the birds and the bees, the dangers of strangers, the need to be clothed at all times outside or among strangers, the need to stay discreet about nudity, the fear of predators etc + my wife's reluctance of embracing naturism made it all just too complicated and confusing for little ones. Maybe it's wrong, maybe it's right. I just don't know but I feel it's the solution that works for us.

 

Well, that’s the thing. Even among committed adult nudists and naturists, there is a fear about being labelled the “p” word if you don’t teach body shame to your children. This is why nudism will always remain out on the fringe even as it is somewhat more widely accepted as an adults-only activity. There is a simultaneous recognition amongst naturists/nudists that perverts exist that runs alongside the body acceptance narrative. So most of us are pretty tepid about the whole naked kids thing.

Back in my less-older pre-internet days, I remember ordering Lee Baxandall’s ‘World Guide to Nude Beaches and Resorts’ and being shocked that it contained photos of minors. “NO, NO, NO,” I said to myself in horror as I ripped it apart. Contacted the Post Master General and everything about unsolicited child porn. Was super upset.

Fast forward a bunch of years and my wonderful 3-year-old is running around the house naked and free without a care in the world when she gets scolded by my otherwise awesome wife that “naked bodies don’t look nice.” I shot my wife a glance and gave her a face that could have burned a hole through her soul, but the damage was already done. In retrospect, that was a hill that I should have fought and died on, but it was so unexpected in the moment that I really didn’t know what to say or do.

How do you overcome the deeply ingrained body shame that is so prevalent among 98 percent of the population that is passed down from one generation to the next? At least in America. It’s an impossible task.

 

I totally understand what you are saying. You are doing what you feel is best for you and your family and that is what matters the most.

 

This is a strange story, and it seems to end too soon. How much of it is literally true? And you're talking about your "less-older pre-internet days" but really, if it really happened, this was ignorance. How do you feel about that attitude, now? It's too bad that you didn't know anything about naturism then, but I assume you know a lot more now.

You were among the 98% back then. What could have stopped you, or prevented you from starting in the first place?

 

No, that’s the whole story. Got a reply from the Post Office essentially saying that they couldn’t do much to prevent unsolicited material even though I had actually ordered the guide with incorrect assumptions about the kinds of photos it would contain. Was expecting 10/10 bodies in exotic locations, I suppose. And definitely not kids. You can choose to believe it or not. Makes no difference to me.

I was in my 20s and definitely among the 98-percent. Was just starting to explore naturism because I felt something innate that ran counter to my upbringing but was still mostly a product of the environment in which I was raised. Attitude has evolved substantially. As the saying goes, the man who is the same at 50 as he was at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.

 

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I've posted this before. I have been a nudist since I was 20 and in college. I have lived with my mother most of my life. I didn't grow up a nudist, but nudity was not an issue as a child. When I hit puberty, I was shy about it, but my mom put me at ease by not making my new look an issue. Prior to puberty, like most boys, I had boy erections. Usually, they occur when bathing. With puberty and the growth of my genitalia, my erections were very noticeable and made my penis look enormous for my boyish body size.
My mother, of course, did take notice. But again, she made me feel at ease about it. She told me my body was going through changes from boy to man and that I should be proud of my changes.
She didn't specify any body part, but I knew she was referring to my erections, which brings me to masturbation. I didn't do it out in the open, etc. But it wasn't a secret; I masturbated, and Mother knew it. How do I know she did? Well, because she was the one who emptied my waste basket and always made sure I had a box of tissues by my bedside.

 

I’ve been a nudist/naturist my entire life. Family events, beaches, resorts etc. An interesting upbringing. Particularly as a teen with older sisters.
I am now 47 with two adult children who embraced the idea, body positivity, even though the lifestyle was never forced upon them

 

No issue with nudity or nudists but I don't think the average family are regularly nude together on a daily basis.
Be confident in your body but it's not how the majority live and the son who is now grown probably knows this is a unique situation

 

My family including my anut uncle and cousins grew up naked especially in the summer, and our neighbor was too it was a great way to live in the late seventies.

 

We were nudist. What was interesting most non nudist in the 70s either joined in and or did not care. I often remember visiting a non-nudist house and the people were shirtless in boxers or kids completely nude. In the 80s as a teen I still remember kids running to the door naked if I was delivering pizza or picking up the newspaper payment. Agin it was no big deal growing up nudist to me. This summer heat reminds me of why. few people had AC back then so it was fans and stripping down!

 

It did seem more common place in the seventies to be naked particularly kids, I miss that feeling.

 

it normal kids follow parents action.
23 year old follow you because mom
20 year old confused which parent right so go half way.
you son follow his dad.
my option you parents giving mix signals you both should be nude or casual.not both

 

Everyone is different.........just let them enjoy nudity at their "own" comfort level.

 

We were casual nude at home with our 2 sons. We later installed a priviate fenced in pool and our nudity went beyond the interior of the house. We found a new freedom. We then explored other avenues and learned of naturist family campgrounds a few hours away. So we embarked on a new adventure and loved it. The boys are now in their 30s and I'm separated and remarried. Luckily for me my new partner has embraced the lifestyle.

 

Reading the responses brought a thought to my mind. Nudity is a feeling of freedom yes! But to me feels very normal. On the other hand, any amount of clothing feels very restrictive. This last winter I really had to bundle up a few times with many layers not just for comfort but literately safety! I remember feeling so Closter phobic and restricted like wearing a strait jacket or that kid on the Christmas Story all wrapped up. I am so grateful to have been raised nudist and have been able to continue living free of clothes at home at least.