I swear kids come with a built-in homing device, because the moment I sneak into the bathroom by myself or sprint to the shower for a quick rinse, they’re right there, up in my business, initiating a full-scale investigation.

“Mom?”

“Mom?”

“Whatcha doing?”

“When you gonna be done?”

“Mom, can you get me a popsicle?”

“Mom, Johnny’s teasing me…”

“Mom…what is that?”

When you have young kids, Privacy is a unicorn from Neverland, carrying a mermaid on its back with a leprechaun in her palm.

It just ‘aint gonna happen.

With kids ages 7, 5, 3, and 1, my bathroom door is open more times than I’d like to admit, my showers are peppered with peering eyes and 20 questions, and my dressing room is an invitation for all to frolic in and out as they please.  I’m probably ruining them, I’ve thought on many occasions.  I’m probably scarring them for life.

When should parents stop being naked in front of their kids?

I’ve asked myself this a hundred times.  I’m so used to my babies toddling in and out of bathrooms and closets that I’ve almost forgot how big they are getting.  There must be an age when kids should definitely NOT see mom or dad naked, right?

Scarring them for life…

I think I’ve been a little lax in terms of teaching my kids about privacy because, frankly, they were so young that it barely seemed to matter.  But now that they are growing, I know that privacy is a very important lesson for them to learn.  Teaching privacy is the first step to arming kids with the defense they need to prevent sexual abuse.  It teaches them respect for bodies and respect for individuals.

Children should understand that there are certain times people need privacy.

So, when should you stop being naked in front of your kids?

Teaching privacy is a process, not a single talk you’ll have with your kids.

I’m not sure there is an exact age, but here’s what I’ve noticed: around ages 3-5 is when kids start to notice nakedness.  Before then, you could prance from the shower to the closet without a towel and they are utterly oblivious.  But around 3-5 years old, they see you in the shower and start to point out your lady or gentleman parts.  The blinders that they used to have are replaced by curiosity to the tenth degree.

By ages 3-5, kids are capable of honoring privacy.  But it’s easier said than done, right?  Here are 3 ways to teach privacy that have been immensely helpful in our house.

3 Ways To Teach Privacy

1. Honor Closed Doors.

Always knock on a closed door before entering.  Always.

Teaching and enforcing this rule is HUGE in learning privacy.  Parents, don’t be afraid to close and lock the bathroom door.  As long as knives are out of reach, your littles will be fine for the few minutes you are in the bathroom.  It’s okay if they cry for a moment.  If mom’s closet door is closed, kids should knock first and wait for her to say it’s okay to enter.  Same goes for honoring your children’s privacy.  Parents and siblings should knock first and wait for affirmation before entering (unless of course your parent instincts tell you otherwise).   When getting dressed or using the restroom, we’ve gotten into the habit of saying:

Tip: Use “Privacy please,” as a cue phrase.

When the door is closed, “Privacy please…” is a great phrase to remind the other person to give you a moment.  Visual reminders are another great tool.  Hang a sign on your bathroom or closet door that reminds children to knock first.

Enforcing this one rule will take your children far.  At grandma’s house, at a friends house, and at your house.

2. There Are Certain Things We Don’t Do in Front of Others.

This is a great concept to start with.  Putting on shoes is okay to do in front of others.  Putting on underwear is not.  Washing your hands is okay to do in front of others.  Using the bathroom is not.  Have this discussion with your kids; you can even make a game out of it by quizzing them on different scenarios.  As your kids get older, the situations will be different, but the conversation should always be open.

3. The parts of your body that your swimsuit covers are private.  No one is allowed to touch them.

A good way to teach children how to honor the body is to teach them about modesty.  A fantastic way to explain this is that the parts of your body that your swimsuit covers are private.  Is also a good idea to teach them correct anatomical names to indicate they are private, but not so secret that you can’t talk about them.

Children should emphatically understand that NO ONE has the right to touch their bodies in those places.  No one, not even the doctor should touch those private places unless mom or dad is there.

Privacy may be different in your house, depending on the ages of your children, your culture, and your beliefs; but the bottom line is that children are capable of understanding and honoring privacy.  This is good news for parents like me who know all too well the squished face of a toddler peering under the bathroom door, carrying on a vivid conversation as if nothing were amiss.

And this is fantastic news if you’ve ever had a five-year-old call your bum “wobbly.”

Peace, love, and privacy!

Asking yourself those tough questions is all part of the parenting “package”. A lot of times it’s guess work, but we are always happy to share what works for us! Check out of few more of our secrets to winning at the parenting game:

5 Things Every Parent Should Know Before Talking to Kids About Sex

What a Six-Year-Old Taught Me About Honesty

STOP FIGHTING! 24 Ways To Help Your Kids Stop Fighting

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