Naturism is widely acknowledged as great for children's growing minds and bodies. However, some believe nudity around children is wrong and children should not play naked. Please share thoughts on this subject.

Children are natural naturists, they only get conditioned by adults that have hangs ups. Either driven by self confidence or a complete inability to separate nudity from sex.

The bit that is most annoying is scared insecure adults effectively hiding behind children. We've all heard it, you cant be naked in front of children or it's just not right. 


In our case we just carry on our lives with the grandchildren. As children they think nothing of it unless some insecure adult has taught them something different. 
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I totally agree with you both. It is hard to imagine any naturist not. Children are in deed natural naturists and those that grow up as naturists do seem incredible happy and well adjusted. When I visit a campsite, resort or beach and see how comfortable these children and teenagers of both sexes are together I envy them their upbringing. I believe that it is a fantastic gift that naturists give to their children.   

However, we have had communications from some naturists/nudists in the past who have said things like they "would never be nude in front of their children," "keep it secret from their children," "would get dressed before they come home from school" and some even consider it strange that we (Anna and I) are naked or take our children with us to naturist beaches. Of course, you expect such concern about nudity from textiles but other naturists? 

To me that implies one of two things. 

Either they have not fully come to terms with naturism and still think there is something to hide or not right about it. Or, more likely, they are an extreme form of a closet naturist. As such they want no one who knows them including their kids to know they are naturists.

Possibly they think the kids will judge or maybe scared their kids will tell someone then others will judge. I suspect the latter, which has probably been blown out of proportion by over thinking but it's still there

Most of this message is from the old NFN Forum of the similar topic.
I think it could be of interest to new members here.

That post sparked as discussion between Julie ( my wife ) and I and Sue & Don ( my sister & brother in law ), and thought that recounting the dress code practiced at our home while we were growing up would help illustrate our thoughts on the appropriateness of nonsexual simple nudity with our children.  At our home, except on very special occasions, nudity was always acceptable and encouraged, and in fact, it was the normal condition.

One must bear in mind that childrens' and even teens' capacity to rationalize behavior, concepts and experiences is not fully developed.  "Mixed messages" can easily lead to incorrect conclusions.  Children can easily misinterpret nudism if their family only practices nudity at resorts or beaches just a couple of times in the summer.  Not practicing nudity consistently at home can give the impression that nudity is a special condition that is appropriate only a special places, not at home.

Consistency in the extent is nudity practiced at home is essential if the desire is to practice full time nudity.  Very quickly, with proper guidance and counceling they will figure out when and where simple nudity is acceptable and desirable.

Our parents embraced wholesome social nudism in the 1950s becoming a full time nudist family in about 1960.  Over time they developed a set of simple rules intended to affirm and encourage our participation in our family's nude lifestyle.  Nudity was never mandatory but it was the norm, although we were also free to wear what we wanted.  We dressed when it was cold and didn't when it wasn't.  We sometimes dressed for visitors, sometimes not.  Our parents
always lead by example and always undressed as soon as each arrived home from work, using a robe if it was cold.

While growing up we did all of our normal everyday activities while nude.  We would undress as soon as we got home from school, then do our household chores, then our school homework.  Mom would generally get home from work while we were doing chores, ask us about our day and help us finish our chores.  Dad usually arrived in time to help us with our homework.  We would then all pitch in to prepare dinner.

One night a week we held a family meeting where we discussed family and personal issues as well as made plans for the following week's activities.  This meeting was a key tool that our parents used to make us feel included and engaged in the family's affairs.  We were a key participating component in all of our family's activities.  We weren't just along for the ride.

There was also a rule for inviting friends over.  All friend visits had to be cleared by my mother.  She would contact the parents, explain our home situation and get their approval before allowing the visit.  Additionally, mom or dad would have to be present during the visit.  This generally was not a problem as many of our fiends were from nudist families.

Over time, we did have several textile friends over and there was never an issue with our family's nudity.  However, there were several humorous situations which we'll have to share in future posts in another section of the forum.