Don't Strip your Kids!

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I agree and disagree with MANY things that have been said in this post.

I understand how it can be neccessary at some times and at other times not.

But at Disney? No...with absolutely no attempt at at least TRYING to cover her up a little.

Think of HOW MANY people there are walking by at Disney...you don't know ANY OF THEM. Just because someone has a nice family with them and look safe, doesn't mean they're not having inappropriate thoughts. (I REALLY do hate saying that) Yeah...so what if no one snaps any shots of it, but people are seeing it.

There are just too many sickos out there for me personally to be comfortable with changing my child in SUCH a HUGE, CROWED place. Just the THOUGHT of anyone even THINKING of my child in that way gives me goosebumps. So for me...I couldn't do it. To my SON or DAUGHTER...

But I suppose if you live in country where child molesters/preditors do not have such an impact (as far as the media and everyday caution goes) then I could see how some one could do it with no problem.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

And I'm not talking about topless toddlers here...I'm talking below the belt nudity.

I personally have NO problem with toddlers going topless in the right situation or getting their wet shirt changed. But no panties...no...NEVER

 

[laceemouse]

well, growing up we always changed out of our wet suits before getting in the car while leavign the beach. I still do it as do my kids. We do it right in the parking lot next to the car so we don't get the seats wet. There are not any free changing rooms where we go or free bathrooms. The bathrooms are so disgusting that I would NEVER change in them. It is only sexual if you look at it that way. The chances of you coming across a photo on the internet of your kids half-dressed is probably 5 million to 1, unless you were actually looking for it and you knew exactly what tags the person put on it.

I don't see what happened as a problem, my 2 boys (5 & 8) would have noticed but only because she was changing. We don't run a modest household, they both still run around naked in the house and it's not a big deal for any of my kids to see me naked or nearly naked. I don't want them viewing the human body in a purely sexual form and they need to learn that while they are young. All my kids know that everyone looks the same (more or less) under their clothes. They are right to be wondering but it doesn't mean it's sexual, just funny to them that it's different. (for the boys anyways).

I am not worried about how my kids look at themselves, or other people, or each other. In this situation I am worried about how sick people look at THEM!

So, you are saying if someone takes a picture of your kids changing in the parking lot and posts it you are FINE with that as long as YOU don't see it YUK, YUK, YUK!

Another thing nobody has pointed out is that girls are developing younger and younger these days. An 8 or 9 year old girl could be a few short months away from starting her period. This is VERY different from a toddler!

The sad truth is that even BABIES are raped by sick people, and this happens all over the world.

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

well, growing up we always changed out of our wet suits before getting in the car while leavign the beach. I still do it as do my kids. We do it right in the parking lot next to the car so we don't get the seats wet. There are not any free changing rooms where we go or free bathrooms. The bathrooms are so disgusting that I would NEVER change in them. It is only sexual if you look at it that way.

I don't see what happened as a problem, my 2 boys (5 & 8) would have noticed but only because she was changing. We don't run a modest household, they both still run around naked in the house and it's not a big deal for any of my kids to see me naked or nearly naked. I don't want them viewing the human body in a purely sexual form and they need to learn that while they are young. All my kids know that everyone looks the same (more or less) under their clothes. They are right to be wondering but it doesn't mean it's sexual, just funny to them that it's different. (for the boys anyways).

ITA with everything you said here.

Bikinis on baby? I couldnt care less either way. My little one has to wear the rash guard because she is super fair skinned and I try and keep her somewhat covered to protect her skin.

 

[kc10family]

I agree with the years of the child being the factor...
for my family, we would not find this to be "ok"

Maybe letting a CM know so they might address the issue with the family

 

[princessmom29]

I am not worried about how my kids look at themselves, or other people, or each other. In this situation I am worried about how sick people look at THEM!

So, you are saying if someone takes a picture of your kids changing in the parking lot and posts it you are FINE with that as long as YOU don't see it YUK, YUK, YUK!

Another thing nobody has pointed out is that girls are developing younger and younger these days. An 8 or 9 year old girl could be a few short months away from starting her period. This is VERY different from a toddler!

The sad truth is that even BABIES are raped by sick people, and this happens all over the world.

Almost all Babies who are abused are abused in their own homes the stats on chilren under 1 year is something like 99% of abuse happens in their own home by a parent or caregiver. I hardly think that changing you babies clothes by a pool is going to so inflame a child predator that they will kidnap and rape your child. Abuse is a crime of oportunity. The central woory should be who you allow to have unsupervied access to your children not who might pass by and catch a glimpe of them without clothes on. However repugnant the idea of someone taking pic my kid may be, the fact is that unless she sees them or knows about them they will not do her any damage. I can't live my life in fear of what else someone might do, and I can't control other peoples thorughts. As much as I hate the fact that people think these things and that some of them choose to hurt children they have access to there is nothing I can do about what they are thinking and it does not effect my child as long as she is not exposed to it, and it is my job to see that she is not. I had no problem changing DD to and from a swimsuit by the pool or beach when she was a toddler. She is almost 6 now and I would still do it in a pinch with a towel for cover. It is simply not that big a deal to me. My child's comfort is more important to me than the miniscule chance that someone around me might take the opportunity to sneak a peak. I protect my kid by limitng who I leave her with, bottom line.

 

[princessmom29]

I agree with the years of the child being the factor...
for my family, we would not find this to be "ok"

Maybe letting a CM know so they might address the issue with the family

I am sure that a CM would not be at liberty to tell someone how to parent, especialy if they want to keep their job!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

I am sure that a CM would not be at liberty to tell someone how to parent, especialy if they want to keep their job!

I agree with this. Its Ok to have your own views on what we should and should not do but at the end of the day she is not doing anything against the law and therefore I would be inclined to mind my own business.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Unfortunately there are a lot of sickos out there, that child's picture could very well be on a porn site by now.

Maybe, but the odds seem slim to me. I think we've all been conditioned by the media to think this way too much. It's kind of a shame.

Stop and think, how many times do we hear every winter about a "Storm of the Century" that turns out to be no big deal?

Now if you want to talk about putting your child in a beauty pageant with full make-up and full length gown, THAT I agree is just a BAD idea on so many levels!

 

[Nicoleclaw]

There is nothing sexual about a 19 month old in or out of a bikini...

I think 2 piece bathing suits are adorable on toddlers with their big ole belly hanging out....plus they make potty breaks so much easier.

I agree. I do not think going topless is more acceptable than wearing a bikini. I love that big ol' belly!

 

[kc10family]

I am sure that a CM would not be at liberty to tell someone how to parent, especialy if they want to keep their job!

I am sure they could have a supervisor or security inform them that nudity in the park is not normal for WDW... I bet they could find a nice way to let guest know this.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I certainly don't approve of little girls in itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny bikinis. It's just not appropriate, it's too provocative and will attract the wrong type of attention. Bikinis are no more appropriate on little girls, than ultra-short minis and fish-net stockings! Call me a prude, but I cannot STAND seeing little girls dressed in scaled down versions of sexy adult clothes!
.

I am sorry, and this is JMO, but I can not wrap my head around fish net stockings on a two year old being the same as a cute bikini!

 

[NotUrsula]

...
However repugnant the idea of someone taking pic my kid may be, the fact is that unless she sees them or knows about them they will not do her any damage. I can't live my life in fear of what else someone might do, and I can't control other peoples thorughts. As much as I hate the fact that people think these things and that some of them choose to hurt children they have access to there is nothing I can do about what they are thinking and it does not effect my child as long as she is not exposed to it, and it is my job to see that she is not.

Hallelujah, well said.

An unidentified photo of an unknown child taken in a crowded public place is not taggable in context, except by place/date, and out of the thousands of children in the MK on a given day, there would just HAPPEN to be a posting pervert within unobstructed sight of THIS child? The odds are against it, frankly. Even if they were not, how is that unidentified child injured by the photo (assuming one exists)? He or she will never see it unless someone known to that child deliberately goes looking for it, and even then she would not be positively identifiable unless someone else identifiable and associated with her was also in the photo. (How many times has someone you know come up to you and said that they saw you in such and such newsletter photo or in a certain restaurant, when that wasn't you at all? Happens to me ALL the time.)

Now if the photo of a child changing clothes was taken at your local YMCA, maybe there would be more of a case of it being harmful, because a child changing at the Y is probably taking a class that meets at the same time every week -- so conceivably there might be opportunity for stalking. At WDW, though? Not a workable hypothesis.

I, too, refuse to worry about the "pervert photo op" scenario when on vacation away from home.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I just don't see the point of putting a triangle bikini top on a little girl -- I would rather my daughter just go in the bottoms.

And I don't think anybody is a bad mom that thinks otherwise -- I recognize my views are probably in the minority given the plethora of toddler bikinis out there for sale.

The same moms putting their toddlers in bikinis probably think I'm the bad mom for letting my toddler go topless.

Well, I don't think you are a bad mom, I just prefer the bikinis for the cuteness factor!

 

[princessmom29]

I am sure they could have a supervisor or security inform them that nudity in the park is not normal for WDW... I bet they could find a nice way to let guest know this.

I don't think this qualifies as "nudity" as prohibited by park rules and I think that a CM or security would definitely be overstepping there bounds by telling a parent they cannot change their child's clothes in public, and opening themselves up to possible legal action by the parent if they pushed the issue. I just find it hard to believe having worked it a public serivce industry that a supervisor would authorize such action. It simply would not be worth the potential stink the parent would raise to say something after the fact. If the child was walking around nude then yes, but a mom just switching clothes would be over before anyone could get there to say anything.

 

[averysmom]

IMO, I'd rather parents change their kids clothes in public than change their babies in public... on tables where people eat!

 

[crisi]

Hallelujah, well said.

An unidentified photo of an unknown child taken in a crowded public place is not taggable in context, except by place/date, and out of the thousands of children in the MK on a given day, there would just HAPPEN to be a posting pervert within unobstructed sight of THIS child? The odds are against it, frankly. Even if they were not, how is that unidentified child injured by the photo (assuming one exists)? He or she will never see it unless someone known to that child deliberately goes looking for it, and even then she would not be positively identifiable unless someone else identifiable and associated with her was also in the photo. (How many times has someone you know come up to you and said that they saw you in such and such newsletter photo or in a certain restaurant, when that wasn't you at all? Happens to me ALL the time.)

Now if the photo of a child changing clothes was taken at your local YMCA, maybe there would be more of a case of it being harmful, because a child changing at the Y is probably taking a class that meets at the same time every week -- so conceivably there might be opportunity for stalking. At WDW, though? Not a workable hypothesis.

I, too, refuse to worry about the "pervert photo op" scenario when on vacation away from home.

And, quite honestly, as was stated above "perverts" don't necessarily need to see naked pictures of kids. The ordinary photos so many of us have of our children in our signatures is more than sufficient to fuel their fantasies. Yet many of us have those photos of our kids (as well as enough distinguishing information in our posts to be able to actually locate children - names of small towns, their names and ages, and a friendliness that if I say "oh, you are in Morristown, I used to live there!" we get a neighborhood and sometimes a street name.) and we aren't staying up nights worried that publicly available photos of our kids are being used for nefarious purposes - and if they are have the sense to realize that what we don't know won't hurt us.

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

And, quite honestly, as was stated above "perverts" don't necessarily need to see naked pictures of kids. The ordinary photos so many of us have of our children in our signatures is more than sufficient to fuel their fantasies. Yet many of us have those photos of our kids (as well as enough distinguishing information in our posts to be able to actually locate children - names of small towns, their names and ages, and a friendliness that if I say "oh, you are in Morristown, I used to live there!" we get a neighborhood and sometimes a street name.) and we aren't staying up nights worried that publicly available photos of our kids are being used for nefarious purposes - and if they are have the sense to realize that what we don't know won't hurt us.

Absolutely! Very well stated!

 

[a1tinkfans]

My brother is a deputy and sometimes works the cybercrimes unit. Please, please do not strip your children down in public. You are in a public place where you don't know the kind of people around you, some of whom may just be snapping pictures of your naked or half-dressed child to trade on websites we all wish did not exist.

CLICK, two seconds on a cell phone...think about it....

As far as shielding my childs eyes, well to each his own. I would have felt uncomfortable for my young child too. Not every child has siblings and sees naked (opposite sex) children...I think my childs reaction would have been a LOUD one, like Laughing, which would have probably made the situation worse.

Regardless, it is TACKY to strip a child in a park/public place, not the "custom" and so inappropriate for child that age, use a bathroom/private area for goodness sakes!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

And, quite honestly, as was stated above "perverts" don't necessarily need to see naked pictures of kids. The ordinary photos so many of us have of our children in our signatures is more than sufficient to fuel their fantasies. Yet many of us have those photos of our kids (as well as enough distinguishing information in our posts to be able to actually locate children - names of small towns, their names and ages, and a friendliness that if I say "oh, you are in Morristown, I used to live there!" we get a neighborhood and sometimes a street name.) and we aren't staying up nights worried that publicly available photos of our kids are being used for nefarious purposes - and if they are have the sense to realize that what we don't know won't hurt us.

I understand your point...but as a victim myself, maybe I'm more sensitive to just the THOUGHTS that may be going through people's minds.(I'm sure the things I have gone through give me a different perspective)

And on the off chance a pic WAS taken and put on the internet, whether they or I know about makes no difference to me. Irrational...maybe...But I could just never risk it myself.

Do I bash others for changing their kids in public?...no...not everyone thinks like I do and you know what they say about opinions. The same thing can be said for parenting styles. There is NEVER a right or wrong way to do things. Just what works for you and your family right?

*I probably should have replied to MY post, but these were referring to mine! I'm NEW!!!