Hi moms,
My son will be 2 years and 5 months old next week. He is tall and slim so he looks like a 3 year old but is not even 2 1/2. He is a good boy and does what I tell him to do most of the time and doesn't give me a problem. BUT he will not wear a bathing suit or a swim diaper. We have a pool and like to have people come over but I am so embarrassed because he wants to be naked. He is not at all embarrassed. I try to encourage him to wear little light shorts and sometimes he will but other times he complains and cries and takes them off. I can convince him to wear them if I say "You can't have the ball until you wear your shorts" and that works for a little while but then off they come. When its just us I let him be naked. I don't want to deal with a tantrum when people are over and they say its ok but is there a better way??? I guess he could wear a diaper but it gets really really heavy when wet. Suggestions? I don't think he likes the feeling of the wet material against him...he has some mild sensory issues but nothing more serious thank goodness.
Some really great responses!! You guys are so right, its either bathing suit all the time or not at all. I am going to work on having him wear one when its just us so he knows to expect it all the time. That way, we can work through his frustration privately. I just didn't want to have him crying when people are over. A naked baby is a better alternative to a screaming crying one. He does need to learn to wear something but thanks moms for making me feel a little better about his desire to be naked. Maybe this will be one of those "great debates" like CIO and breastfeeding?
I would just tell him no suit, no swimming, no exceptions and stick to it. Usually after only 1 or 2 times of taking him out of the pool because of it should work, so he knows you're serious.
I truly don't want to sound nasty, but I don't know how else to say this...you said it yourself in your post, you don't want to deal with the tantrum so therefore you give in and let him have what he wants. He is 2 yrs old and he doesn't know the difference of having people over or when it's just your family. If you don't make him wear one all the time, then don't expect him to want to wear one when company is over.
Being consistent as a parent is much harder than just giving in to the tantrum. Tell him he only swims if he wears one and if he takes it off then he comes out, if he has a tantrum then he goes to time out. Stick to that for awhile and I promise he will change his tune about it too.
I have the same issue with my son. Find out what he likes to wear and make him wear it. The sensory thing is definitely the issue, so maybe put him in underwear type bathing suit?
I learned that I have to be consistent. Make him wear a swimsuit all the time, whether people are there or not. I tried letting him run free when we were alone and then trying to get him dressed when people were around, but that just lead to confusion on his part and tantrums.
Hi B P,
In our own back yard, my 3 and 5 yo's go naked. They don't care, so I don't care (they are only young once). If we have guests, well, I hope they don't mind a little nudity, because that's what they're getting.
Public pools are another matter, but I don't have any trouble getting them into their swim trunks.
t
PS, nobody likes cold, wet shorts on them: yuck!
Let him be naked. It's your own backyard and he is 2, not 18. If your guests have an issue with it, then that is their own hang up. I have a 3 and 5 year old and they are naked in the backyard all the time. It's my yard and their own home. I wish I could run around naked.
I'm all for going comando!! He's two he is comfortable and he is in his yard in his home, no one should have an issue with it. By next summer he's gonna not want to go au natural, it's a phase. My cousins daughter at age of two the second she walked into her own house stripped all her clothes off, she wanted to be free running around. She is now 9 and mortified that she ever did that (lol).
More than being embarrassed, it is a health issue. I would not be pleased if I was swimming and someone had a BM in the pool. That is why public pools insist that infants and children wear a bathing suit in their pools.
I agree, if you want a 2 year old to wear something while swimming, it has to be every time. They do not understand why one time it is ok and another time it is not. A tantrum is caused by frustration. He cannot tell you exactly why he is frustrated, wearing a suit, when all of the other times, you do not have a problem.
Being a parent is not for the faint of heart. I am sending you strength.
My 18 month old boy does the same thing. He takes off his Little Swimmer and his trunks and likes swimming naked. I have no clue why. Maybe its because they think the trunks weigh them down? I would try little swimmers, they are diapers basically that are water proof and don't fill up and get heavy. They are made by Huggies.
I think that is ADORABLE! Yes--public pools will insist on a swim diaper (like that helps!) but you're in your pool in your yard & I saw let him go commando!
How fun for swim guests when the son cuts loose with #2 in the pool! This is an old thread but still applies. Most adults don't want to see toddler anatomy either.
It is the sensory issue of why he wants to swim naked. I have had the opportunity to work with children who have sensory issues. The texture of the material of the diaper, pull up shirts irritates his skin to the point of pain. He can not explain it to you, so he has a tantrum and pulls off the clothes.
If he does get OT yet suggest that he get it. The kids I work with had it so bad that touching them they would freak out, but since you child has a mild case suggest brushing him with a plastic brush on his legs, arms, body everyday will lower the sensitivity he has going on with his body.
What happens is when the material hits his skin it feels like pins sticking him causing much hurt to his little body. By removing it he feel relieves. Try cotton clothing and the material swimmers that they sell on line.
Hope this helps.
A.
swim diapers are the best.. and you have to make him keep them on.. because my friends son wouldn't wear a bathing suit either..he is now 5.. and runs around nude.. it's not nice to see for other kids...
