Feelings?

[NaLisa]

Wouldn't bother me at all. My DDs are a bit older (7 & 6) and I probably wouldn't let them do it because since they started school, we really emphasize appropriate dress. If my 6yo can't wear a frilly dress, she'd just as soon be naked.

 

[Rora]

I'm not sure what this says about me or my parents but: I used to run around naked all the time. Even in my front yard.

My poor mother would dress me and I'd rip all my clothes off. They usually just let me run around naked because it was a battle they couldn't win.

OP- I'm not sure what to think about your situation. It seems harmless but it's definitely worth paying attention to incase there are other signs that make you feel uncomfortable.

 

[Nancyg56]

See...this is what I was having so much trouble putting into words yesterday.

It's not WRONG...kids SHOULD be able to be free to do these things.It just doesn't feel RIGHT anymore.

I knew what you were trying to say. It really is a shame that we have gotten to this place. When my kids were young I was never so worried as I am now with Kady. I believe there were as many creeps out there but it sure was not as easy to locate their victims.

When I watch my little friend I am more aware of how she is dressed, or in her case undressed than I was when Kady was that age. In our house if Kady dropped her towel in front of the fireplace we laughed at her enjoying the heat. I cannot let Nola do that here. When I put her in for a nap and she wants to tear her clothes off I put her little undershirt and panties back on. I don't want her embarrassed about her body but

 

[Liberty Belle]

Yes, it would bother me at four.

I don't even like to see babies with just diapers on, though. Not because of a predator ick factor, but because it looks tacky to me.

I would never let my child outside in their underwear (except on the deck, I guess).

 

[princessmom29]

For a 4 year old, not a big deal. Not something I would choose to let DD do when it is easy enough to put on a swim suit top, but not something I would be appaled at someone else doing either.

 

[Disney Doll]

As a neighbor I wouldn't lose sleep over it because I'm not a pedophile pervert, but if I was the parents of that kid, I think I'd be starting to teach her about socially acceptable behavior, social norms and the like.

 

[CurlyGirl]

She's 4 yo, running around topless in the privacy of her own yard, and her parents are with her? Do not get the big deal on that.

If she was running around the mall, supermarket, or restaurant, then not so cool. Privacy of your yard, fine.

I have a "personal" cut off, though. I think it's ok for a little girl 4 yo or under. 5 yo and she'd need to wear a top. That's just me.

 

[disney1990]

I knew what you were trying to say. It really is a shame that we have gotten to this place. When my kids were young I was never so worried as I am now with Kady. I believe there were as many creeps out there but it sure was not as easy to locate their victims.

When I watch my little friend I am more aware of how she is dressed, or in her case undressed than I was when Kady was that age. In our house if Kady dropped her towel in front of the fireplace we laughed at her enjoying the heat. I cannot let Nola do that here. When I put her in for a nap and she wants to tear her clothes off I put her little undershirt and panties back on. I don't want her embarrassed about her body but

There are no more sexual predators out there today than there were 40-50 years ago. No more children being kidnapped now either. We are just bombarded with it on the new and on the internet.

 

[FredinFL]

I don't know about that, read this.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19143411/

Certainly took me back. How disturbing and sad.

 

[Nancyg56]

There are no more sexual predators out there today than there were 40-50 years ago. No more children being kidnapped now either. We are just bombarded with it on the new and on the internet.

I realize that there are probably no more predators than when I raised my kids. I could be wrong but I think that it is much easier to locate children today. Not necessarily 4 YO kids but children in general. There were no cameras in phones, no way to track kids by seeing their parents post and pics on the internet. No way for ordinary folks to figure out where I lived by putting info into an online search engine.

The creeps have more tools now and I have more info about them. It really is too bad that it impacts how our kids play now.

 

[princessmom29]

There are no more sexual predators out there today than there were 40-50 years ago. No more children being kidnapped now either. We are just bombarded with it on the new and on the internet.

exactly. the data actually show less incidence of sexual crimes agianst children.

I realize that there are probably no more predators than when I raised my kids. I could be wrong but I think that it is much easier to locate children today. Not necessarily 4 YO kids but children in general. There were no cameras in phones, no way to track kids by seeing their parents post and pics on the internet. No way for ordinary folks to figure out where I lived by putting info into an online search engine.

The creeps have more tools now and I have more info about them. It really is too bad that it impacts how our kids play now.

Most predators actually do NOT target thier young victims this way. Internet chat rooms where parents aren't monitoring what is said nad they can set up meetings parents don't know about are the primary vehicles. Tracking what parents post about thier kids really doesn't get a predator any closer to the actual child. Child abductions where predators track thier victims and then snatch them are actually the MOST rare of cases. Most find their victims from children they know and are trusted with already(the VAST majority of cases) or form chat room type situations. They don't need the infor/ pictures ect parents are posting becuase they are trusted family firends or caregivers that already have access to thoes things or they are chatting with a kid who will readily give that informaiton.

 

[Nancyg56]

Princessmom29- I have to admit that even though your post makes sense and I sure do not doubt any of the information you shared I still worry more today than I ever did when my children were young. Little kids running around without a shirt, that does not bother me. I love watching kids play and all of their antics make me chuckle. I also know that I am uneasy and cannot always justify those feelings. Perhaps it is all of the TV news blasting danger everywhere we turn, I don't know.

This situation with the little one would just make me smile. My DGD at that age running around would make me laugh. But I understand how the OP was feeling, there are times when I just want to protect my DGD and those precious Angels down the street. DH and I think we got all soft and crazy in our old ages but we get to have out adult children go all Bill Cosby on us

 

[PatsGirl]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with it and until DD went into kindergarten hanging around in her panties in the yard or on the deck was common, as was swinging upside down showing the neighborhood her new Disney Princesses Heck, neither of my kids wore bathing suits until they were 2 or so, a diaper as needed but that came off too when it was time to swim.

I would so much rather see a young child half naked (or naked) then in a tiny bikini that exudes sexuality...

Before anyone screams crazy woman, once they started school we discussed the need for modesty and both my kids took to the new "rules" quite easily

Funny story though ~ had a woman with a few children herself at the beach, probably ages 1-6 or so and I had my son (maybe 15-16 months) at the water naked for a splash and she threatened to call social services on me because her kids were subjected to his nakedness. This was more than 20 years ago too! I had a few choice words for her and I still think she was dead wrong. He wasn't parading around the beach, I walked him to the edge of the water and removed his diaper before he went in with me.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with it and until DD went into kindergarten hanging around in her panties in the yard or on the deck was common, as was swinging upside down showing the neighborhood her new Disney Princesses Heck, neither of my kids wore bathing suits until they were 2 or so, a diaper as needed but that came off too when it was time to swim.

I would so much rather see a young child half naked (or naked) then in a tiny bikini that exudes sexuality...

Funny story though ~ had a woman with a few children herself at the beach, probably ages 1-6 or so and I had my son (maybe 15-16 months) at the water naked for a splash and she threatened to call social services on me because her kids were subjected to his nakedness. This was more than 20 years ago too! I had a few choice words for her and I still think she was dead wrong. He wasn't parading around the beach, I walked him to the edge of the water and removed his diaper before he went in with me.

I agree. There is nothing wrong in a girl wearing bottoms and nothing else at that age to swim. Heck in some places they only sell bottoms of suits.

I mean really - to put a bikini top on a toddler is in fact sexualizing them - you are announcing that there is something there that needs covering. When in reality there is no difference in boys/girls at that age (from the waist up).

OP - it seems like every block I have ever lived on had a little nudist. Some kids just go through a phase. Saw the cutest naked kid on Sunday - was talking with his mom and the dog runs past us - followed by a naked 2 year old running after the dog. The kid was laughing so hard. It was just impossible not to smile.

 

[Nancyg56]

Patsgirl- you reminded me of a family at Hampton Beach last summer. The boy was about 5 or 6 and he had no bathing suit or underwear on while he played on beach. I was not offended but I did wonder what that family was thinking. Someone getting crazy over a baby getting rinsed off though??? Nutz!

 

[PatsGirl]

Patsgirl- you reminded me of a family at Hampton Beach last summer. The boy was about 5 or 6 and he had no bathing suit or underwear on while he played on beach. I was not offended but I did wonder what that family was thinking. Someone getting crazy over a baby getting rinsed off though??? Nutz!

Most likely European...I live at the beach from May-October and see lots of this from people (including adults who change out of their suits by loosely draping towels around themselves) who are obviously visiting us from other countries. Unless the kid is prepubescent it doesn't really bother me. Would I allow it from my own kids, no, but I also don't sunbathe topless here in the US while it is the norm elsewhere in my travels

 

[chisnpeke]

I did this as a child. It wouldn't bother me.

What I find much more disturbing are the bikini tops for little girls that have the shape for something to go inside them. Little girls do not have breasts! There is no reason to have a triangle bikini top!

 

[sturdypeasantstock]

It's not something I would have wanted my DD to do at that age, but others see it differently.