Toddler taking there clothes off

Melody - posted on 04/24/2012

My almost 3yr old would strip his shoes then socks off and pants off as soon as he gets home from daycare. But only when hes at home which I'm fine with and then in his diaper and shirt the rest of the day.

Lisa - posted on 04/23/2012

That's funny tasha because my 6 year old is as well LOL.

Tasha - posted on 04/23/2012

My 3 kids LOVE to be naked! My oldest is 5 and is sitting here naked right now lol. My kids understand that we have to have clothes on to go out in public. I totally agree with the pick your battles thing!

Lisa - posted on 04/22/2012

Not only that amy but it fosters the belief that the body is shameful and dirty when one does that. I agree picking battles is a good way to start. Some parents don't care if my kids romp around naked, and their kids join in. Others are uncomfortable with the idea so my LO's put clothes on then. Obviously in public they understand clothes stay on...a point my DD took a long time to figure out *face palm*

Amy - posted on 04/22/2012

Both my kids went through it, I learned to pick my battles. If they want to run around the house naked and no one is coming to visit I don't have a problem with it. But they know that they have to put clothes on if people are coming over or we're leaving the house. This falls under the category of knowing when to pick your battles, at least in my house it's not worth the fight since it causes no one any harm running around naked and saves me a lot of time redressing them only to have them strip down.

And I can not imagine spanking my child because they took their clothes off, that's just crazy! I mean if you spank for taking clothes off what do you do for really serious offenses??? Personally though I don't spank for anything.

Lisa - posted on 04/22/2012

You have to realize that it all very sensory to kids. They also lack modesty so it's normal for them not to understand why they need clothes. Remember to a toddler the feeling of carpet on their butt cheeks,grass on their feet, air against their nude body is all very new and exciting to them. And let's face it for the most part depending on the household kids grow out of it by age 5 or so.

Melisa - posted on 04/20/2012

First, I think it's not only a normal thing for kids to do, but is also a developmentally important thing to do and, in my personal opinion, they shouldn't be punished for it. I read that it's easier to undress than it is to dress and is a developmental stepping stone to learning how to dress themselves. I'm not saying people should just let their kids strip where ever, but rather than punish them for doing something bad (because that's how they take it) I think it's better to teach them when it is or isn't appropriate and give them other outlets to learn the skill. The book suggessted that it can help to get them a doll with clothes that are easy for toddlers to remove and replace. That way they are getting the same experience without stripping themselves.
Our 2 year old son has recently started stripping, too, and some of the things that have helped us are 1) telling him about when it's appropriate to have clothes on vs when it's ok to take them off (ie, when we are in public or when there are people over, all his clothes should stay on; he can wear just a diaper at home if he wants, etc), 2) putting him in a onesie when it's really important to keep the diaper on (bedtime or when he's in childcare)--for some reason he can't undo the onesie snaps even though he can undo other snaps and zippers, 3) giving him as much control over his clothing as we can (let him choose what to wear within reason and help him get the clothes on himself rather than just doing it for him by holding the pants out and letting him put his own feet in the legs & having him pull it up the best he can before finishing the job myself), and 4) trying to be aware of his diaper situation. He tends to strip more if he has soiled his diaper than if it's dry.
We tried the tape on the diaper thing, but he could rip the diaper off under the tape, leaving a tape "belt" wrapped around his tummy. We also tried the zipper pajamas, but he can undo zippers. I never tried putting them on backwards, partly because I didn't want to cut the feet off and partly because he doesn't like things too close to his neck (can't blame him there because I'm the same way) and I worry that turning them backwards would be a little uncomfortable for him.
Good luck!

Maren - posted on 04/19/2012

I have twin 2 year old girls that would always take their diapers off at bed time. I got so tired of this "game" (and cleaning up their bedding, carpet, etc) that one night I finally just cut the bottoms off their footie pajamas and zipped them in backwards. It has worked like a charm! They can't get their pjs off and are no longer even interested in trying.

Sometimes one or the other (or both) will take off their clothes during the day and I tell them if they do it again I will have to put on their pjs. After they go on the potty or after bath time I usually let them run around the house naked for a while. They love it and I think it gets their urge to take off their clothes out for the time being.

Good luck!

Lisa - posted on 04/19/2012

Yeah it's normal for little kids to run around naked and i don't think it's a big deal. Let them enjoy the little pleasures of life before they feel the need to grow up.

Lisa - posted on 04/19/2012

Except she was not reacting to the spanking erica but you reminding her of it or taking her mind off of it. What would have happened had you ignored her instead?

Erica - posted on 04/18/2012

I have to disagree on the spanking and not understanding... (not looking for an arguement) but my daughter was doing the same thing. Few days of her getting a swat first time she took off her clothes it only really took a reminder. At 18 months they can understand you. Swat her but explain that he/she must leave her clothes on and after that it normally just took "Caroline do you need another spanking?" "NO!" "Then please leave your clothes on." If she dropped her hands from the buttons of her clothings I would say thank you then we would color or do something fun and I would casually bring up how much fun it is when we have time to play instead of mommy needing to help her get dressed all the time.

I agree on the potty training. My daughter was almost completely potty trained by 18 months. This phase will go away and something else will begin!

Katherine - posted on 04/18/2012

Oh the toddler years! Mine used to do it too. I just kept putting them back on. They ALL do it. And DON'T spank!!!!!!!!!!! Spanking will only bring tears and hurt. He will not know what he did wrong.



You could always safety pin his shirt to his pants lol. No, but really just be patient. This too shall pass.

Heather - posted on 04/16/2012

Totally typical of kids his age. Try potty training him, sounds like he is ready!!! Buy pull ups. Put overalls, onesies, on him, at night, you can put his pj's on back words if you need to.



Don't use duck tape, or buy those dumb pajamas that you can put on him and zip up back words, what a waste of money. People will suggest those ideas, trust me.



Just keep telling him to put his clothes back on, give him one spanking, and keep doing it. Don't let him take his clothes off. Tell him it's not ok to do.



But it totally sounds like he is ready for potty training! He should start keeping his clothes on once you start working with him on it. Yes, he might be ready at 18 months old!

Annette - posted on 04/15/2012

My daughter does the same thing and she is 2 years old. She started to do this about a month before she turned 2 which was in Feb. I started putting overales on her and she seems to keep her clothes on more with that, which is nice! You can also try to put tape on the diaper to make sure it stays on, although that did not work with my little girl.

Zippers my daughter learned to use at 18 months and take that off already. She getting there with buttons, but has not quite learned on how to undo overales yet. So I guess its a start!

Jessica - posted on 04/14/2012

Thanks for the input. Yes he is in daycare.

Audra - posted on 04/14/2012

In school? Is he in day care? I don't know how well you can reason with him...he might not grasp 'appropriate' and 'inappropriate.' Be consistent in whatever position you take. At his age, he likely just prefers to be naked. Clothes can itch and twist and get too warm, etc. He might also enjoy just being ABLE to take his clothes and diaper off. Find clothes with zippers or buttons that might be more difficult to work, and diaper covers that pull up over the diaper with the tabs. If they can't see it, sometimes they forget that it's there and won't mess with it. Good luck :).