I took my darling daughters to swimming lessons this morning. As we entered the change room there stood an approximately 11 year old girl standing beside the hand dryer. She was completely naked with the exception of her bright pink flip flops. She had this hand dryer turned up and on pointed at her head, brush in hand, casually brushing and drying her shoulder length blonde hair. She methodically brushed her hair and watched all the other Moms and daughters come in and out of the change rooms. All those other little girls used the curtained changing areas, clearly provided for privacy. I averted my eyes.
Blonde girls mother sat in the corner, a look of complete disinterest on her face.
I found her daughters lack of modesty shocking. Her Mothers lack of awareness of the gawking crowd…disturbing.
In this day and age when children are snatched on a daily basis, where pedophiles have their own data bases, should 11 year old girls be naked..even in a change room?
My Mommy instinct screams out no! I encourage my daughters to cover up. Take advantage of provided change rooms. I encourage modesty.
They may not know it yet, but this is partly to protect them.
I have gone beyond don’t talk to strangers, I am trying to instill street sense, a healthy sense of danger and a knowledge of predators. I hope I have not sacrificed their childhood innocence. As the saying goes “Better Safe then Sorry”.
So, have I gone to far? Am I too overprotective? Is there even such a thing anymore. Because I have to tell you what I really wanted to do was give Blonde Girls uninterested Mom a shake, and hand that girl a towel.
Odd to say the least!
I’m sure there had to be some sort of explanation?
nothing wrong with teaching your children modesty. and i would have been just as shocked to walk in on a naked hair drying 11 year old!!
(at least she had flip flop, ha ha)
Wow, I would not have been comfortable with that either.
im am totally with you on this one! that mother had NO IDEA who may have been going in or out of that changing room… this just totally blows my mind…
happy wkend!!!
Completely foreign to me. My 9 year-old daughter locks the door to the bathroom.
There is an older woman who frequents our public pool and who showers naked in the women’s locker room. And not only showers naked, but sits down and shaves her legs, brushes her hair and teeth at the sink, basically behaves as if she’s in her own home… It’s so odd to me, and makes my children VERY uncomfortable. I don’t get.
I would be shocked also to see this as most girls are instinctively modest. Perhaps they are nudists???
I could not even get my 16 yr old to get down to her panties/bra w/ a robe on for the dermatologist this week for a body check. and the DR. was a 30 yr old woman.
No, you are not being overprotective.
It’s not just you I am the same way, probably worse considering I don’t allow my girls to even wear just a bathing suit in the yard. They Both have tankinis and I am comfortable with that but shorts are a must over those bottoms.
My thoughts are twofold
1) We don’t want our children to be ashamed of their bodies and therefore for a girl to be naked in a female changing room should not be cause for concern. When I was younger and part of the swimming club there were often girls undressed. One girl was somewhat larger than some of us and she hid behind a towel, getting herself into all sorts of positions to not drop the towel for shame of her lumps and bumps. She shouldn’t have had to feel like this. We were all about 11 years old and female, of all shapes and sizes.
2) I do however understand your concerns especially in light of recent events that have hit the media. Most parents are now more wary of what goes on in society and will do our utmost to protect our children in whatever that manner may be. We shouldn’t have to worry about children getting undressed in changing rooms even when we are present. There are however people out there who have basically reduced the nation to being scared of what could/may happen to our children. It shouldn’t be like this but sad to say it is.
well at 11 I think she needs some modesty, but at the same time I’ve seen much worse. Heck, old women in the gym locker room walk around and have entire conversations completely naked!! It’s a fine line ,teaching your kids about modesty and safety, yet teaching them to appreciate and love their body, and not be ashamed of it!
EWW! No, an 11 yr. old girl should not be standing naked in a public changing room. I mean yeah, we see the occasional baby streaker with mom chasing him or her down. It’s different when their young (like baby young), but even then I didn’t let my kid’s butt hang out while I was changing them in public places. Sometimes it can’t be avoided, but you use discretion. If they want to be free and “one” with their bodies, there are places for that…they’re called nudist camps!!
I’m with you on this. Wow, 11 years old. Some girls have hit puberty by then!
My girl is only two and I don’t think it’s too early to start encouraging modesty.
I don’t think you’re being over-the-top at all. The girl’s behaviour sounded unusually odd. Maybe she was attention-seeking, but what a weird way to go about it.
I think most mothers of young girls would, like you, encourage modesty. And for good reason! Especially in a public place.
I can’t believe it. That mother was wrong! I wish someone would have said something. I understand why no one did but that mother needs to know. You are totally correct in protecting your children. Rather safe than sorry is the best guideline you can follow. I was an overprotective mother and it didn’t hurt my kids at all. Just what does it take for an 11 years old girl to be so brave in doing that. I wonder what goes on at home!
I am in your court. I am not sure that is cool in a public place, where you don’t know the people. Odd.
I so wish I was there.
Maybe they belonged to a Nature Loving Nudist Camp?!
I would have asked =X