Am I doing the right thing (toddler related)

big bear

A bear on a mission!
My son is 2 & he's going through a stage of stripping off his clothes & nappy. My H & I have been telling him if he doesn't get dressed & cover up Jack Frost will come & take away his belly, bum, willy etc

He gets dressed quickly & then asks 'does Daddy hear Jack Frost coming?' we tell him that because he's dressed he's fine & JF has gone.

Also if he won't go for his nap we tell him the same.

Are we doing wrong to do this? Should we stop in case he gets scared or do you think this is ok?

I'd love your honest opinions please X
 
I have to be honest, I am not a big fan of scaring kids into behaving themselves with "bogey man" type unseen characters. I think it is perfectly normal for kids that age to want to strip off and run around naked and by suggesting otherwise then you might be putting ideas in his head that his body is a "bad" thing that needs to be hidden.

Be realistic with him. If it is too cold to be running around naked in your house, tell him so. If he starts trying to do it in settings where it wouldnt be appropriate then tell him that too - "When people go outside they always wear clothes" is a simple enough way to have him understand that, but I dont see any harm in allowing him to run about in his skin at home, the novelty will soon wear off.

You can use this as a bargaining tool - for example "its ok for you to take your clothes off when you are at home with us, but if we have visitors or if we are going out then you must stay dressed" - help him to understand that there are times where he needs to keep his clothes on but allow him other times where he has that freedom and he will grow up with a healthy attitude towards his body.
 
big bear said:
My son is 2 & he's going through a stage of stripping off his clothes & nappy. My H & I have been telling him if he doesn't get dressed & cover up Jack Frost will come & take away his belly, bum, willy etc

He gets dressed quickly & then asks 'does Daddy hear Jack Frost coming?' we tell him that because he's dressed he's fine & JF has gone.

Also if he won't go for his nap we tell him the same.

Are we doing wrong to do this? Should we stop in case he gets scared or do you think this is ok?

I'd love your honest opinions please X

I tell my 2 Wee Willie Winkie looks thru the letterbox to see if he can find any wee boys who should be in bed but aren't. Bit of parent guilt obviously but my parents did it to me and it did no harm, it gets them into bed on time and keeps them there by and large so it gets my vote! :) he'll be perfectly fine don't worry

Ps they are 2 well adjusted bright & happy kids...
 
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I have to be honest, I am not a big fan of scaring kids into behaving themselves with "bogey man" type unseen characters. I think it is perfectly normal for kids that age to want to strip off and run around naked and by suggesting otherwise then you might be putting ideas in his head that his body is a "bad" thing that needs to be hidden.

Be realistic with him. If it is too cold to be running around naked in your house, tell him so. If he starts trying to do it in settings where it wouldnt be appropriate then tell him that too - "When people go outside they always wear clothes" is a simple enough way to have him understand that, but I dont see any harm in allowing him to run about in his skin at home, the novelty will soon wear off.

You can use this as a bargaining tool - for example "its ok for you to take your clothes off when you are at home with us, but if we have visitors or if we are going out then you must stay dressed" - help him to understand that there are times where he needs to keep his clothes on but allow him other times where he has that freedom and he will grow up with a healthy attitude towards his body.

Totally agree with the above post :D x
 
I have to be honest, I am not a big fan of scaring kids into behaving themselves with "bogey man" type unseen characters. I think it is perfectly normal for kids that age to want to strip off and run around naked and by suggesting otherwise then you might be putting ideas in his head that his body is a "bad" thing that needs to be hidden.

Be realistic with him. If it is too cold to be running around naked in your house, tell him so. If he starts trying to do it in settings where it wouldnt be appropriate then tell him that too - "When people go outside they always wear clothes" is a simple enough way to have him understand that, but I dont see any harm in allowing him to run about in his skin at home, the novelty will soon wear off.

You can use this as a bargaining tool - for example "its ok for you to take your clothes off when you are at home with us, but if we have visitors or if we are going out then you must stay dressed" - help him to understand that there are times where he needs to keep his clothes on but allow him other times where he has that freedom and he will grow up with a healthy attitude towards his body.


I agree with this too.
 
I have a 2 yr old daughter who lobes stripping off!! I usually just try to make her have her knickers on just by saying they will keep her bum warm. I don't see a problem with kiddies beig naked! He's old enough to let you know when he's
Cold! When my daughter gets cold, I take her into her room and let her choose what she wants to wear... If she still refuses we have cuddles under a blanket/duvet for a bit :)

She doesn't have naps anymore, but at bedtime we used to have ALOT of fuss!! Now, we have set an alarm on my phone for every night for 8 o clock. She now knows when The alarm goes off, it's bedtime and she seems to have settled into the routine really well. Goes straight to bed no problems!! U could try this for nap time? Might take him a couple of days to get used to the routine though.
 
Thank you all for all your comments I really appreciate it them. I'm going to stop doing it as I guess it is scaring him & I don't want him to be frightened. As you've said as long as he's not cold or anything he an run around naked.

Thanks again XXX
 
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