There is a phenomenon that I have chatted about with many moms. Ed and I have also pondered it. It is the moment before bath or pajama time...when your child disrobes and is in his/her birthday suit.
They are supposed to stay still so you can put on the new diaper and get the pajamas on. Or they are supposed to make their way immediately to the bathtub, however, as soon as they are naked they seem to get a burst of energy and take off full speed ahead...running wildly to and fro. To request that they stop is a waste of time. As a mother you can't help but pause, tip your head, and smile at their little buns and pudgy legs quickly scooting to and fro. And it is all cute until they pee...
Charley is 5 and he still does this. Though it isn't so cute as they get bigger...but yet, I hate to curb this self-conscious freedom that he still has. When does it stop and why does it stop? Why and when does life change so that you hide and are embarrassed?
Being a child is a period in one's life when you aren't self-conscious. Children don't feel judgment or care what others are thinking - they don't really even know that others might be thinking about them. Children feel and express their feelings without manipulation. They feel joy and sadness and they show it without hesitation. Curiosity leads them and wonder makes each day amazing. Little things are miraculous - an airplane passing over, the sirens of a firetruck, or a ladybug landing on the picnic table. Their energy is endless- spinning and running without hesitation.
Childhood is a unique and precious time. It is my goal as a mother to let this time last as long as possible. Because once disappointment, depression, embarrassment, and emotional discomfort enter....their days of running naked are just a .....memory - and actually - I would give anything to remember that feeling....so a memory isn't even the right word.
This post is linked up to Steady Mom's 30-minute blog challenge and Tuesday's Unwrapped.
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18 comments:
I had never really thought of this. Roo likes to jet after bath while I'm gathering the bath toys. She runs out to her daddy squealing in delight.
What a lovely post. Thanks for sharing it.
There is really nothing better than dimply baby bums! I can tell you I sure don't feel HALF as excited about my own naked dimply bum as my little girl does about her own!
Love this post. My son is eight, and while he doesn't run around the house naked,he has no problem being naked in front of me or my husband still. I've wondered about this as well. My husband and I decided, like you, to just let him be innocent and be naked if he chooses. It ends all too soon. I think the less a big deal is made of things the less they will mountains out of mole hills when they are older.
That is The Truth.
Did you really write this in 30 minutes? Fabulous.
This is so true!! Makes me laugh just thinking about it...my two little boys before a bath, or sometimes bed...they streak like gleeful little maniacs all around the house! Too funny!
Briar is at that age where she knows that when her clothes get stipped off and her diaper is removed, IT IS BATHTIME! She gets so excited her little body literally vibrates with energy! It is the BEST part of my day! Cooper and Maren love their naked time as well, and it thrills me to no end that they are still young and innocent enough to not seek out any imperfection in their physical appearance and instead are just thrilled to be free of clothes!
Wonderful post!
Skinny dipping anyone? Two grown men on a beach in Punta Cana, with a "burst of energy" taking off "full speed ahead...running wildly to and fro" and the biggest smiles ever throughout and afterward!
First, I love that picture...if I get a DSLR, can I take pretty pictures like you?
Second, I love little naked babies...I don't know why, but I find it hysterical when they pee (Husband does not feel the same way)...they're all proud of themselves like they just eradicated terrorism or something!
Great post, and great photo!
Childhood IS such a unique and precious time, indeed. And my two boys have gotten into this habit lately where they love to take off their clothes and jump on the couch, playing, laughing, screaming, right before bath time. I love to just sit back and watch them... they're so cute!
My second oldest Ethan used to love running around naked. We even have pictures of him watering his grandma's plants butt naked! He finally started covering up around 5-6 years old!
I love it! And it's always done with giggling! Though I admit I'm not so amused by the naked 5-y-o in my house anymore... :)
One of my all time favorite pictures is of my son, at about 3, wearing nothing but a cowboy hat, riding his spring horse. I miss those days! :)
Beautiful post as always!
What are you talking about? I still run around naked. ;)
so true ... mine enjoys time sans clothing so much that he'll sometimes run around screaming "i'm naked! i'm naked!" when he's really not. dude needs to be potty trained before we can go there in more than short spurts, however...
This is such a true post!!! My daughter always goes berserk when she's naked-- and then she refuses to let me put clothes back on her!!! It truly is a phenomenon (wow, I bludgeoned the spelling of that word!).
~Elizabeth
Confessions From A Working Mom
Yep, my children love to be naked and show off their nakedness to those around them. I think most of us are taught to hide our bodies and then we soak up the messages that something on our bodies is wrong. I guess it's both necessary (the modesty) and sad (the shame).
You know, it's so funny, I remember that feeling (and energy) so well, but none of my kids have partaken of it! I'd almost forgotten....
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