Moms of Boys

My oldest son is 28 months. I am just wondering how you all deal with things like when you are changing, undressed, etc and your toddler comes in. Also, I am nursing my newborn and obviously my older son sees me. It seems like he is oblivious to it all. Thoughts? How do you ladies handle this situation?

Thanks!

Re: Moms of Boys

It was around that age (actually a bit younger) that I started being more careful about getting changed around DS.

I basically just don't make a big deal out of it, but I turn around so he doesn't see things he doesn't need to see. That's all.

I didn't BF so I can't really speak to that. Not really sure how I'd address that.

Re: Moms of Boys

I still take DS in the shower with me (he is 28 months too). He honestly could care less. When I see he starts to take an interest I will be more discrete. I plan to BF my next child and I will just explain to him what I'm doing (if he cares at all). One of my friends BF her newborn and her kids were 3, 6, 9. She just explained what she was doing and they saw nothing wrong with it.

Re: Moms of Boys

Funny, I asked DH this weekend when he thought DS would be too old to see me with no clothes! DS is only 3 months, so I don't think about this yet. I do bring him upstairs with me when I shower and dress, and I really doubt he makes much of it at all.

I don't have an answer, I suppose by the time he is a toddler is too old.

Re: Moms of Boys

DS is 19 months old and DH mentioned to me about a month ago that I should watch when and how I am getting undressed. So what I do is either close the door when I am getting dressed or undressed or I just turn around.

Re: Moms of Boys

Hmm.. right now I am not at that point, as DS is only 17 months old.. so I do change in front of him and don't have any qualms about it , nor do I think I will for some time..

But I imagine by 28 mos. old I might think differently... good question!

Re: Moms of Boys

I wouldn't make a big deal out of it. Just turn your back to him while you change. If you make a big deal then he'll think it's a big deal! If he asks a questions just answer as truthfully yet basic and simple as you can.

Re: Moms of Boys

I'm weriod about this kind of stuff. My soon to be 3yr old sometimes comes in the bathroom while I'm in the shower or getting dressed and I panic (I don't know why but I feel so uncomfortable) I usually pull the curtain close and screem for dh.

Re: Moms of Boys

I never really made a big deal out out of it. I am pretty modest - but the few times one of them has busted in on me when I am coming out of the shower - I just get the towel calmly and remind them that they need to knock.

When they started school (at 2.5 years) we explained that they had private parts that should not be seen or shared with anyone else. They know that Mommy & Daddy also have private parts that they do not need to see.

My husband almost always wanders naked from his workout room to the shower but the kids don't care or notice.

It's a human body. I don't go out of my way to show mine.. but I don't freak out if they happen to bust in on me. They are kids, it happens and I feel like if I get hysterical it just makes it a way bigger deal than it needs to be. Besides.. they do get to a point that they would be embarrassed to walk in on you. My six year old saw me in tank top last summer and turned 18 shades of pink and told me to put some clothes on!!!

Message edited 3/18/2008 12:15:48 AM.

Re: Moms of Boys

I wouldn't do a thing, imo its healthier for him to see you naked than to make a big deal out of it. Just carry on as normal, I personally thing that acting like its a big deal is going to make everyone more uncomfortable than it would be to grab clothes and try to be modest.

Re: Moms of Boys

I agree, and it shoudl be based on the inidividual child. Before Ryan was older I had all these plans about a "cut off age". I cant remember when exactly it was now, but he was older than 28 months- at that point he was still totally oblivious. I did stop taking him in the shower around then, but everything else slowly became more discreet.

Re: Moms of Boys

As a Mom of previously only girls I havent thought about this until I read your post...

Right now without giving it much thought Im going to say around 3 is when you start. But to be honest with you I started around that age with the girls also. Im entitled to SOME privacy for goodness sake..The girls walk in on me all the time and I dont freak out but I do ask them for some privacy...I dont see things changing all that much with DS...