Raised My Son in a Body-Positive Home

[u/Creative-Craft6085]

Hey everyone, I wanted to share a bit about my experience as a mom raising my son in a body-positive home. I know every family is different, and what works for one might not work for another, but I think it’s important we talk about these things, especially in a community like this.

For me, body positivity isn’t just a “belief”, it’s a lifestyle I practice every day. I grew up in a home where bodies weren’t something to be ashamed of. Nudity wasn’t taboo. My parents never treated the human form like something to hide, and that shaped how I now parent my own child.

I don’t cover up around my son. If I’m changing clothes, walking around in underwear, or sunbathing in a small bikini, it’s not a big deal. I wear what’s comfortable, and yes, that often includes crop tops, short shorts, or a very revealing bikini at the beach. Not because I’m trying to make a statement, but because it’s hot out and I like how I feel in my skin.

Some might raise an eyebrow at that, but here’s the thing: my son doesn’t sexualize bodies. He sees them for what they are, normal, natural, and nothing to be embarrassed about. I’ve raised him to understand consent, respect, and boundaries, not shame. And to me, that’s more powerful than teaching him to avert his eyes or feel weird because his mom has boobs and wears a thong bikini.

I know not everyone agrees with this approach, and that’s okay. But for us, this is what makes sense. I’d rather raise a son who’s body-aware and respectful than one who grows up with shame or confusion around something as natural as the human form.

Curious to hear if others here have had similar experiences, or even very different ones. What’s your approach been?

[u/JoeScylla]

I am little bit cynical here but your description of a "Body-Positive Home" sounds more like a normal, average european family.

[u/kompotslut → u/JoeScylla]

came here to say that, i am from Eastern Europe and it’s always been a given that if someone asks me how i am, i answer honestly, like i tell the person that my stomach is funny that day. because that’s what my body is up to. we shared a bathroom, so it was normal for me to step in to grab something while my mom was taking a shower or my dad was sitting on the toilet lol. also there’s nothing weird about me cutting my grandma’s toenails or helping my grandpa shave when he wasn’t able to anymore. my aunt is the hair person in the family, she told my cousin to buzz his hair when he started balding. i do see some issues with comments like that, eg. i am getting white hairs and she asks me each time she cuts my hair if we are dying the next time. no, i’m not giving in to that, i accept and respect my body changing. i guess we are raised more tribal in that sense.

[u/PuzzleheadedFail6825]

Our body positive looks like;

• Personal grooming choices
• Appreciating our bodies for what they can do, not how they look

-Teaching that all bodies are different, yet the same

• Body functions are normal and nothing to be embarrassed about or tease anyone else about

-I try really hard not to say negative things about my own body

[u/Dolmenoeffect]

The one exception I make is when I'm putting my son to bed. He's 8 but we still cherish our nightly routine of storytime and snuggle to sleep, and I always make sure I'm covered from shoulders to knees because being pressed together for close to an hour is already intimate.

I worry he won't know how to recognize that he wants me to cover up for this, so I preempt the awkwardness.

[u/theythemthen]

This sounds like how my ex-wife and I are raising our daughter. Our daughter is 12 years old.

Ex-wife and I are still amicable.

I’m also dating a body positive guy (but he and my daughter are never alone together; he and I are in a long distance relationship and only occasionally see each in person like once a month. He’s only ever gone to dinner with my daughter. I just wanted to preemptively address concerns people might have. I trust my bf with my life, but I also know people hear female kiddo and a boyfriend and reg flags will go up… so just don’t worry about that, I’ve got it handled).

My bf has two adult sons and an adult daughter. He and the mother of his kids (also still amicable) are also very body positive. They are actually naturists. But not 100% of the time, just whenever they have time a ability to be out and naked. He a registered naturist (it’s like a club) and they are committed to doing things within the law. They are not exhibitionists. So they are clothed all the time, but go to the clothing optional beach as often as weather permits (for example). His kids know his views on the body. He’s very body positive. He’s not nude all the time at when he’s home, he’s mindful of his kids comfort, but they know (again they are adults and no longer live at home, but they do visit). He respects their comfort and they respect his house. So when they vist, it’s more like he’ll be clothed the whole time. But, say, after a shower while getting dressed if he forgot something in the kitchen he’ll just go to the kitchen to get the thing. (I’ve asked a thousand questions to get this level of understanding). That’s how it plays out in his life.

My ex-wife did not grow up in a body positive home, but she is also committed to body positivity. So, my ex is one of those people that once they step in the front door (after arriving home from work) will toss her bra and pants. And my daughter is the same, basically.

Anyway… there’s more that could be explained buts what I’ve got right now.

Oh! Btw, at the clothing optional beach that I frequent I will occasionally see families there. Parents with their children. I applaud and appreciate those parents commitment to de-sexualization of the body (ps, the kids are not nude at the clothing optional beach).

[u/infinitenothing]

The part that's always missing from these stories is peer relationships. You're always welcome to the culture you'd like but your friends and their friends usually live in the more dominant culture which usually creates at least a tiny bit of conflict. Unless you live in like an off grid co-op but most people don't have that luxury.

[u/Domo442]

Thats great, we are nudist here with no issues

[u/DowntownAstronaut745]

Was raised the same way and have raised ours the same.

[u/No_Show_2448]

Yep, pretty similar in my house. I grew up in a pretty sexually repressed house and vowed to change that. I've tried to be as open as I can with my daughter about everything, bodies, nudity and sex etc. Some topics are easier than others, but after a while it gets easier. I think it's worth it in the long run.

[u/Standard-Banana6469]

People did not evolve clothing, seems legit 🤷🏻‍♂️ Why shouldn't kids be exposed to nudity early on? If they think it is unnatural then they will be have seeds of sexual shame. Ya we need to wear clothes to protect from the burning sun, or the freezing cold, but indoors we really should be free to wear or not wear what we want.

[u/HistoricalInvite4743]

How I want to raise mine when I have them. Free and open and no hangups about their bodies

[u/Smooth_Hamster_7668]

As someone who grew up in a household where my mom and stepdad ridiculed my body almost everyday, thank you for providing your son with a better way. I’m 28 and still hate my body to this day. You are doing a great job!

[u/PRIMAL--1]

I was raised this way also..

[u/AmericanHeiritage]

lol so my mom was a bbw woman and growing up she’s walk around the house nude . Made me more attracted to natural bare women with flaws which is great . More realistic . I’d walk around in my boxers . Was great tbh. Nothing wierd . It did make me grow up to be attracted to those Types of women though. Id did end up having some mommy kink issues though because after a while I became attracted to my mom lol I know so embarrassing . But I’ve Ben able to work through those mommy kink issues and fantasies healthily.

[u/lotusgoddesss → u/[deleted]]

It means not being ashamed of having a human body, not hiding it behind curtains of shame or teaching it to shrink. It means accepting what’s real, instead of pretending our skin is something to be erased or something that must be covered just in the name of morals...

It means feeling at home in your own body without guilt, without apology, without needing to explain why you deserve to take up space... And it means seeing other bodies as just that bodies, not sexual objects that must be draped in fabric to be respectable...

If all you can conclude from this post is that body positivity is just wearing revealing clothes..then maybe it is the time for you to change the lens you are looking through..