question about nakedness

I've heard stories of toddlers who liked to streak and we never had that problem in all of her 7yrs..Well I found out that upstairs with the inlaws is a whole new world..

She's allowed to strip down to her panties upon arrival and sometimes she wears a sleep shirt with it.. I was enraged to find that she was allowed to crawl in fil's bed with just her panties on...so I don't think this will be an issue after the fit I threw last time but....

all last week, my child with no shame would come out of her room completely naked and walk through the house or she'd have a shirt and no panties or panties and no shirt...

Could someone please tell me why my 7yr old is streaking us and how I should handle it?

[AmyB]

God's Word tells us we should be chaste.

Morally pure in thought or conduct; decent and modest.

(From dictionary.com) - bold done by me.

Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

I've always taught my kids that their private areas are to remain private, except within marriage (when they are much, much, much older ) or in special situations when mommy is there. It isn't that they've never been nude in the house. They have gone from bathroom to bedroom to get pjs on after a bath. Or in the younger years, if they have trouble getting dressed, they can bring their clothes to us for help. Also, both of mine did the naked bottom method some of the time during potty training. But modesty is rule, especially if there are other people in the house and as they get older and closer to puberty.

I'm sure there is more scripture I could share, but I don't have time to look it up right now. I'll try to find more time later or maybe someone else will be able to share.

Thanks Amy...My concern is that they're teaching her its okay to do this upstairs and I've just been through too much to even imagine something happening to my daughter...not that I'd accuse anyone but you can't trust anyone...I lived with a Ch.Mol. my whole life and never even knew it..

She's way past potty training and nearing puberty way too fast for me...I usually tell her we don't want to see that but I'm not sure if thats the proper response...

If you remember my earlier post about the clothes being given to her? I've finally convinced her that tube tops and mini skirts aren't appropriate clothing so we've made some progress...This whole naked thing just blind sided me...My hubby and I are SO modest!

I think its the fact that we all live cooped up like sardines in a can so nobody really has privacy unless they dress in the bathroom...which is what hubby and I usually do..

[AmyB]

Thankfully, she will be spending time with you at work now instead of upstairs, right? It is good to hear she is starting to understand how some clothing isn't appropriate. Maybe you both can start having more conversations about modesty, keeping private areas private, and living a chaste life for God. Maybe a very general talk about the special relationship between husband and wife is due? That is if you haven't already.

When you said you tell her "we don't want to see that," a concern that came to mind is that she shouldn't want anyone to see it, not only that you don't want to see it. What if someone told her "I want to see that."

I see what you're saying. Good point.

Yes! Thank God! I'm able to work now and take her with me so alot less MIL to deal with..We're barely home now..MIL came down today and caught me tired...I'm pretty sure I bit her head off...she scurried back up rather quickly.....gosh I've been a crab lately

[Robynn]

Maybe I missed this in skimming thru Amy's post, so I apologize but I wanted to share the discussion I have had with Kiwi, who is also 7yo.

We discussed how God has given us these bodies, and we need to take care of them, and that they are our gift to our husband when we marry. That is why we take care of this gift, AND why we don't go around showing and sharing with anyone else. Also leads into the chastity conversation in due time.

I always try to use scripture when talking to my kids about anything of this nature, cuz then its not just 'because I said so'.
You need to get the in-laws on board with this too. Explain that you need them to behave in the same manner that you would in your daughter's company. If they negate your authority over her, in her presence...that will lead to bigger problems down the road. You might need to enlist Dh's help on this, and find the most tactful way to explain that this is not just something that you are choosing 'to be picky over', that you can see it causing troubles for everyone down the road.

PROVERBS 22
6 TRAIN UP A CHILD in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Well I agree with Amy B and Robynn. I hope your MIL and FIL will listen and stop letting her do that.
I am concerned that your FIL doesn't have a problem with it. I know my father would. He wouldn't even pick Abby up and put his hand between her legs when she was only about 1 year old to put her in her highchair LOL
I think he would be very uncomfortable if she wanted to hop into bed with my mum and him with nothing but panties on or a sleep shirt and no panties

*HUGS*

RRR angelsmom, it is soooo hard when you have in-laws who appear to be "going against" or almost seen to be showing "different moral standards" to what you, her parents, find acceptable.

We don't allow DD and DS to walk around nude, DD used to like to play in the backgarden nude and swim nude in the paddle pool - now that she is over 3 we tell her to at least have bathers or panties on when she goes swimming (even at home) - it's just a good thing for her to learn we don't suddenly start undressing when the mood takes us.

All the comments everyone said were right, and I am glad you pitched a fit. Aside from all the already stated facts, you don't know who else is around possibly "leering" at your child and where that may lead (for example if a visitor came over). Even trusted friends we don't allow our children to be naked in front of them.

[ashtonsmama]

Originally Posted by AmyB

God's Word tells us we should be chaste.

(From dictionary.com) - bold done by me.

Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

I've always taught my kids that their private areas are to remain private, except within marriage (when they are much, much, much older ) or in special situations when mommy is there. It isn't that they've never been nude in the house. They have gone from bathroom to bedroom to get pjs on after a bath. Or in the younger years, if they have trouble getting dressed, they can bring their clothes to us for help. Also, both of mine did the naked bottom method some of the time during potty training. But modesty is rule, especially if there are other people in the house and as they get older and closer to puberty.

I'm sure there is more scripture I could share, but I don't have time to look it up right now. I'll try to find more time later or maybe someone else will be able to share.

Good verse Amy!