It is okay for grade schoolers to sleep naked?

Question

We live in the US, where it is often rather hot during summer. My 8-year-old daughter often walks about in the house or sleeps without a shirt on, and so does my 5 year-old son. I feel that this is acceptable. But recently, my daughter has been taking off her pants and underwear too when in bed. I told her that it is acceptable to take off her shirt, and to keep at least her underwear on, as her brother often climbs into her bed for fun at night, but she refuses to listen. She says that she can only sleep well when naked! Is this natural and is it acceptable?

Answer 1

What is wrong with sleeping in the nude?  We're not born with clothes on you know.

Answer 2

You never know, in about a year she could start puberty, but she might not start devoloping untill shes older, so be sure to keep an eye on what her brother might be seeing.

Answer 3

sleeping naked is fine sleeping a boy and girl together naked is not

Answer 4

If shes in her room its fine, but I dont think it would be good for her little brother to see her naked....

Answer 5

Until she starts developing, what the heck

Answer 6

You may have some regrets if you ever have a house fire.

How would this look on the news  nude family escapes fire.

Its really your choice....not your childrens.

Answer 7

She should be able to sleep however makes her comfortable,including without her kid brother climbing into her bed. Time for you to train him to respect his sister's privacy and stay in his own sleeping space.

Answer 8

NO

Answer 9

Of course it's natural and acceptable.  I take it that you and your husband don't sleep nude.  We did, and our kids couldn't wait to be able to sleep nude when they were allowed to go without diapers.  Our son especially.  He couldn't wait to "go nekkid all the time like daddy".

Barefoot-n-Nude in Texas!

Answer 10

Um NO she is 8! and you should Know better what are you thinking put it this way if she has a sleep over at a friends house would it be accetable for your daughter to sleep naked with her friends brother?in her thoughts you have confirmed that it would be ok children dont think like adults we set the boundaries why r u letting bher

Answer 11

If you aren't able to accept this habit, take her to a clothing store and pick up some nighttime underwear.  Let her know that if she needs to escape the house quickly, she will need on her nighttime panties.  I used to do the same thing when I turned six and this is what my mom did for me.  My one year old is obsessed with taking her diaper off so I think it runs in the family. lol  I think what she is doing is natural but I don't think it's acceptable.  You can set rules without being overbearing or making her ashamed of her body.

Answer 12

She should be able to sleep in anyway that makes her comfortable. If I were you, I would let her sleep naked, and I wouldn't let her brother go into her bed.

Answer 13

this is perfectly normal, but you should talk to her brother about being in the bed while she is naked may be disturbing her privacy.

Answer 14

a lot of people sleep naked and it's perfectly acceptable! you see parents letting their kids run round the beach naked so why shouldn't they sleep in the privacy of their rooms naked? at some point though her brother should be told some way or another that he can't get into her bed though

Answer 15

hmmm--------- yea summers get REALLY hot, especially at nights. just make her room cooler, but it is acceptable.just try to get her out of that habbit.

Answer 16

Um, to me walking around the house is kinda' um.. unacceptable, because, as she gets older she'll think its ok and when she's like 13-16 for example she'll be walking without a shirt and think it's OK! which is NOT acceptable! :|

but sleeping naked with her brother in and out is unacceptable! because well, he shouldn't! :\

-H

Answer 17

She's 8 years old and should know better.  You should not tolerate this.  This is not normal.  I hope that she's not doing this because she's been abused.

Answer 18

I think it's normal.  I would probably tell her she needs underwear on as well.  My daughter tries to do this.  I just tell her she getting to be too big to wear no underwear.  Tell her when her brother goes to his bed she can take her underwear off.

Answer 19

Of course it is acceptable.

It is absolutely scandalous to forbidd children to sleep naked. Parents who do that have serious sexual problems!!!!

Answer 20

If she's comfortable, don't knock it.  Eventually she'll decide her brother isn't welcome or she doesn't feel comfortable with sleeping that way, so let the freedom last as long as it can and let her make the decision.

Girls have enough problems with their bodies due to society's issues.  The more free she feels to be comfortable with her body at home, the healthier her self-esteem will be.  Going out in public is another story, but inside the house, you can decide to let her wear as much or little as she wants.  Same goes for the boy.  :)

Sigh.  The five above are clearly well-indoctrinated in American puritanism.  If your daughter said she wanted to sleep naked -with her brother-, it would be a red flag.  What you're describing is undamaged innocence.  If the kids are happy, let them be.  Forcing anything on them is what causes sexual issues.

I've never met a deviant that came from a happy, liberal family...and I've known a few who didn't follow the "normal" path in life.  The ones whose parents were not abusive, were repressive.  It sparks rebellion and insecurity in terrible ways.  :(

Answer 21

yeah, I do that too, and I'm 9 for god's sake!

Answer 22

yeah what Lo said

Answer 23

its normal to sleep naked but if she is going to do that i suggest she stay in her room i dont think its a good idea for her brother to see her naked around the house or if she does walk around the house naked i suggest she wear a robe