In this family, mom practises naturism and enjoys hanging out in the nude with her two naked little cherubs. Dad? He’d rather keep his clothes on.
Never had I imagined I would become a naturist overnight. But after visiting Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park in East Gwilliumbury, Ontario, that is exactly what happened.
I moved to the area six short years ago, and must have passed the highway sign more than a hundred times. Each time I thought, “‘I wonder what it’s like, I wish I had the nerve to bare it all in public.”
Naturism—for those who don’t know—is the practice and advocacy of personal and social nudity. I would soon find out there are different degrees of being a naturist. Some people are recreational naturists, and others refer to it as a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism.
Here is how naturism found me. I had been passing that naturism highway sign for nearly two years until I realized that the only thing stopping me from following my curiosity was a thin layer of cotton fabric on a hot summer day.
I opened my backyard door and let the rays shine in. This day was too perfect not to be naked. I immediately packed up sunscreen, towel and, oh yes, my five-month-old son. I wasn’t going to brave this invigorating experience alone, and it was nothing he hadn’t seen before.
When I arrived at Bare Oaks it was like a hidden gem tucked away. There were naked people on lawn chairs, walking around, working there etc. Here I was in all of my clothing feeling more uncomfortable to be clothed than ever before. I soon changed out of my clothes and strapped my infant son to my chest in his carrier. I felt like we were in this together and that he was a shield from my body being completely exposed.
After only three short hours I was hooked. The people, the atmosphere, the sensations of feeling water, sand and sun against my body—I would never look at clothes the same way.
I returned home to share my adventures with my husband. My husband, previously referred to as a “never nude,” was not as enthusiastic as I. Although supportive and happy for me, he expressed no interest in ever exploring my naked oasis among the oak trees.
As time went on, what went from a check mark on my bucket list, turned into part of my life. I spent the majority of my pregnancy with my second child naked at home and in my backyard. And shortly after my daughter was born, we got a family membership to Bare Oaks.
I’ve come to terms that my husband will never take part in a naturist lifestyle, but by living with three naturists he will certainly live vicariously through ours.
This is #1000families post number 209. Do you have a family story of your own to contribute to the 1,000 Families Project? Or do you know a family that might want to do so? Learn more about how the series got started and how to get involved here. You can find all of the #1000families posts here.
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'1,000 Families Project: Naked Among the Oak Trees—A Mom of Two Embraces Naturism' have 15 comments
January 12, 2017 @ 12:45 pm Paul
Wow. What a great read! I’m visiting Toronto in April and would love to visit Bare Oaks
January 12, 2017 @ 6:57 pm The New Family / 1,000 Families Project: Naked Among the Oak Trees—A Mom of Two Embraces Naturism – The New Family | All Nudist
[…] Source: The New Family / 1,000 Families Project: Naked Among the Oak Trees—A Mom of Two Embraces Naturism … […]
January 14, 2017 @ 8:50 am A short nice story about how a mother of two discovered and embraced naturism. There are many versions of this story on line. I just chose this one. Others go a bit more in depth and discuss the woman’s body image issues when she was younger. | Natu
[…] http://thenewfamily.com/2017/01/1000-families-project-naked-among-the-oak-trees/ […]
January 14, 2017 @ 9:02 am A Mom Discoveres Naturism — Two Sides of the Same Coin | Naturist Thoughts
[…] http://thenewfamily.com/2017/01/1000-families-project-naked-among-the-oak-trees/ […]
January 14, 2017 @ 10:13 am A Mom Discovers Naturism — Two Sides of the Same Coin | Naturist Thoughts
[…] http://thenewfamily.com/2017/01/1000-families-project-naked-among-the-oak-trees/ […]
January 15, 2017 @ 8:40 am The New Family / 1,000 Families Project: Naked Among the Oak Trees—A Mom of Two Embraces Naturism – The New Family: http://thenewfamily.com/2017/01/1000-families-project-naked-among-the-oak-trees/ …pic.twitter.com/NQWuCM85yX | Nudie News
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January 15, 2017 @ 11:38 am 1,000 Families Project: Naked Among the Oak Trees—A Mom of Two Embraces Naturism – The New Family | Nudie News
[…] 1,000 Families Project: Naked Among the Oak Trees—A Mom of Two Embraces Naturism – The New F…: […]
January 15, 2017 @ 12:28 pm Ray Skaggs
in my family I am the only nudist.
January 15, 2017 @ 2:42 pm The New Family / 1,000 Families Project: Naked Among the Oak Trees—A Mom of Two Embraces Naturism – The New Family | Nudie News
[…] The New Family / 1,000 Families Project: Naked Among the Oak Trees—A Mom of Two Embraces Naturism … […]
January 15, 2017 @ 5:21 pm 1,000 Families Project: Naked Among the Oak TreesâA Mom of Two Embraces Naturism – The New Family (via The New Family) | Nudie News
[…] In this family, mom practises naturism and enjoys hanging out in the nude with her two naked little cherubs. Dad? He’d rather keep his clothes on. Never had I imagined I would become a naturist overnight. But after visiting Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park in East Gwilliumbury, Ontario, that is exactly what happened. I moved… Source: http://thenewfamily.com/2017/01/1000-families-project-naked-among-the-oak-trees/ […]
February 13, 2017 @ 4:02 am The New Family / Podcast Episode 124: Family Naturism—Raising Kids Around Social Nudity - The New Family
[…] Andrea’s 1,000 Families guest post […]
March 7, 2017 @ 5:44 pm David
Good for you mom! I wished I was raised a naturist, but only discovered it on accident later in life. And good for you dad!! Too bad you don’t join them, but maybe you will. At least you support them in their lifestyle choice.
October 24, 2017 @ 9:41 am Naturist Parenting on The New Family Podcast | Nudie News
[…] 1,000 Families Project: Naked Among The Oak Trees—A Mom Of Two Embraces Naturism […]
December 17, 2017 @ 7:57 pm Great story about taking that leap of faith. 1,000 Families Project: Naked Among the Oak Trees—A Mom of Two Embraces Naturism http://thenewfamily.com/2017/01/1000-families-project-naked-among-the-oak-trees/ … | Nudie News
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January 11, 2019 @ 8:23 am Willow
My wife has been to Bare Oaks twice and one of my daughter’s has been once. I’m hoping they’ll return and I hope my sister-in-law joins us. She says she will. It’s a great experience and I especially love swimming naked. Hats off to Andrea for sharing her experience, and I hope your husband gets over the barrier that’s keeping him from embracing the experience. My wife has visited after years of resistance based in the fear of meeting someone she knows.