Following on from the Russians naked children post...

[goindoolally]

I was having a discussion with my sister, when she mentioned that her little boy, who was around 5 years old at the time had been in the bathroom whilst she was having a bath and was being quite inquisitive. She said she would soon have to stop him coming in to the bathroom when she was bathing. I asked why she would stop him and she said that it wasn't right. I then told her that my son still came into the bathroom while I was bathing and he was about 13 at the time. I think she was a bit shocked at this but I explained that as a single mum, I've not been able to lock him out of the bathroom as I needed to know he was ok. I told her that I felt sure if he was uncomfortable with it then he would knock or wait until I'd got out of the bath. He is now 15 and still not bothered about it. What are your views on it?

[B00]

At 15 years old I'd expect my child to respect my need for privacy in the bathroom. Obviously if they were in dire need of the toilet or something they'd have to come in, but under normal circumstances I woulsn't be too chuffed at them coming in whilst I was in the bath.

Looking at what i've typed though and thinking about it, I think my view is more a 'personal space' kinda thing rather than modesty.

[Redbel]

When my daughter was a baby I used to bathe with her, I was just getting two jobs done at once to be honest.

[dot.hawkes]

if either of my sons had walked in whilst i had been in the bath when they were 15 i would have given them a right ********* and told them to have some respect.

[goindoolally]

At what age does it go from ok to an absolute no-no in your opinion?

[dot.hawkes]

7 or 8

[lady_p_gold]

Well most children of that age normally go a bit shy about themselves and seeing others I would say, and I would have thought he would automatically stop coming in. Its a tricky one because you don't want to make a big deal out of what is quite natural in some cultures. On the other hand for what purpose is he finding he needs to come in while you are bathing ?????

[goindoolally]

just to use the toilet or put dirty laundry in the basket

[Redbel]

When he does goindoolally.......do you cover up your private parts.

[scoobydooby]

But isn't this the difference between having a son or a daughter? I have two teenage daughters and I never even shut the bathroom door when I'm having a bath or a shower, never mind locking the door. I don't think I'd feel quite the same if my daughters were sons! However, both of my daughters like their privacy when they use the bathroom and both lock the doors. That's fine be me, it's all about personal choice. I have major hang ups about my body and feel 'exposed' even wearing a costume in the pool - but I don't have the hang ups at home.

[fee-is-me]

I don't have children... but i did used to be one... so i am probably half qualified to answer this!

I don't really understand WHY you would not be able to lock your son out of the bathroom because you needed to know he was ok. I can understand if you were alone with a small child and he or she had not been placed somewhere 'safe', of course, but at 13...?

When i was 13 - or even 9, i'm sure - if my father was at work and just my mother was at home and she decided to take a bath... she did, AND with the door shut. I don't know if it was locked as i respected her need for space AND privacy from an early age.

And i ain't no prude, now, either - but STILL respect privacy.

Not a criticism, i promise - but i am curious... 13...?!

[tyynikala]

Blimey, i can't believe this is an issue at all,
I personally can't think why it would be a problem at all if anyones son comes into the bathroom as long as you're both comfortable, it's your own mother though for goodness sake, if your son felt uncomfortable then he would probably stop.
I've always felt comfortable naked in front of my mum and visa versa, why on earth would'nt i?
Inquisitiveness is all about growing up, he's bound to ask questions because we all look different, male/female, black/white, tall/short etc etc

[sexyairhead]

You see that is the thing about me.I ask such fantastic questions people like to follow on from them.It is just a gift I have.I guess some people were just born clever.

As for the question.Children should not see their mothers naked over the age of 4.

[petes_dragon]

my son is 3.5yrs old and I have no problem with him seeing me naked & neither does my husband and we still have baths together - like someone else said, just doing 2 jobs at once and saving time!

He is starting to get inquisitive but we have found that answering any questions openly and honestly he is quite happy with the explanation and carries on as before - hopefully this will carry on for a while yet.

As for me, I still have no problem seeing my mum or my sister naked or indeed tham seeing me - but I would never be completely naked in front of my dad and wouldn't like to see him naked..I would say this has been the case since I was around 12/13 and was starting to 'develop'..however breastfeeding my son in front of him wasn't a problem!

A xXx

[petes_dragon]

just to add to what I've just said although I said I wouldn't want my dad to see me naked or for me to see him naked...neither of us have any problem about walking around in our underwear in front of each other. ie getting changed etc...............This hasn't changed since I lived at home - I am now married and haven't lived with my parents for 7yrs but I am still quite comfortable with it

A xXx

[goindoolally]

I mean that as a single mum, when he was small, I had to know he was ok so the bathroom door was never locked. I have not then at a particular point thought OMG he can't see me naked because he had already seen me naked.

[goindoolally]

Redbel - If he comes in to the bathroom, I'm just having my bath I'm not laid in the bath legs akimbo

[mycats]

My son is 10 and if I am in the bath and he needs a pee he will just come in. Though he is now going to his bedroom or behind the couch to get dressed lol Thats fine with me, I think that he if is at the age where HE wants to hide his body then I respect that. Saying that my mum doesnt really hide herself from me if I am at her house. Once kids get to a certain age (especially boys I think ) they would be horrified at the thought of being seen naked or seeing their mum naked.

[Pippa68]

I think someone should poke out Svetlanas eyes.

We have a separate toilet & bathroom, so don't have this problem. However if any of my kids walk in to my room & I am naked it's their problem, not mine ;o) they usually knock anyway.

The older two are at that 'embarrassment' age and we do respect each others privacy. The other two are 5 & 9 and aren't at that stage as yet. Nakedness isn't an issue for them or myself.

[jno]

it's probably not a bad idea to teach kids at some stage - perhaps 7-8 - to knock before they go into any private room. That doesn't mean you can't say 'come in'when they do knock, or just leave the door open so they don't have to; but at some stage they need to learn a general respect for the privacy of others.