Hello everyone,
I wasn’t raised in a nudist family and had a mixed experience with nudity, I spent lots of time staying at my Nans house and she was “old fashioned” and would think nothing of undressing me for baths up until I was 11/12 but when I went home my own parents where very shielded about nudity.

I now have a 15 year old son with my ex partner who spends most weekends staying at my house, he was a typical child up until he turned 10/11 and never really cared about being seen nude which is pretty standard I think! He suddenly became self conscious when he changed from primary to secondary school.

He broke his leg when he was 13 which started us becoming more open with casual nudity around the house which has generally been a good thing!

Following previous comments it has allowed him to be more open with puberty and jokingly ask any questions he has.. it was a nightmare at first getting over both of us being self conscious but we are getting there slowly

He is funny with consistency about it though.. any questions let me know

We have raised our children to be comfortable with their nakedness and with ours. We are obviously naturists and so that makes a difference but I do think it should be something all families do even if they aren't going to strip off at a beach. I couldn't imagine how a household would function sensibly and honestly if it always had to worry about locked doors, bathrooms, changing on beaches or in cubicles. It doesn't just make life easier but it also discourages the putting up of emotional walls. We are not encouraging the need to hide which will mean that they subconsciously will be less likely to hide the hurts, worries and concerns from us as they come along.   

Totally agree with Anna, I wish looking back that I had not taken the typical route of minimising "casual" nudity when Ben was around 10 and then it wouldn't have been such an issue once he started puberty?

it's a minefield of teenage angst ????

Chris, not knowing your particular circumstances, of course, I would just interject here that so much depends upon the 'makeup' of the individual child.  Our girls were around (and participated in) open and casual nudity all their lives.  But when they reached puberty they silently went the clothed route. They didn't grow some aversion to the basic idea of it.  I was always naked at home; once, one of the girls literally modeled her new panties for me (15 years old), simply because she liked the color and style so much, wearing nothing else. "See, Daddy? Aren't they cute?" and occasionally one of them would come to breakfast topless just because they were between shower and dressing.  However it was made clear to me, that if friends were over they didn't want it voiced around that social nudity had ever been part of their lives. That teenage angst you referred to. So on the one hand, their interest in going to a social naturist venue died and for the most part they chose clothing; on the other hand, they maintained, and still do, a healthy attitude toward the body and the freedom to be 'at home' with it.

It is sad that the main factor seems often not about what teenagers are comfortable with privately but what they fear becoming public knowledge. How our children fear others knowing our personal family indiosyncrasies.  It could be anything and not just naturism. We have a fascinating time a head of us with our children. Will they reach a time when they want to cover up? Hard to imagine here in Spain with constant beaching, hot weather and privacy. What will the future bring. Our eldest is 11 now so the future will be with us pretty soon!