I’m sure when you read the title of this post immediately you were thinking of my body or maybe your body or even another cute bikini body, but I’m hoping the first thing that popped into your mind wasn’t little bitty baby bikini bodies. I’m the mom who’s modest with her little girls. I put bloomers or shorts on under their dresses, don’t take pictures of their girly bits and put them on the internet, and I try to dress them at a mid-modest level.
I’m not going to make them walk around covered head to toe, but I also think I need to be an example to them setting standards for the way they dress. If toddlers and preschoolers are wearing clothing that is suggestive, then what will they wear when they become teens, young adults and adults?
In general, I think children, mainly little girls, are dressing proactively even from toddlerhood (I can’t believe I just included toddlers, but that’s the reason I feel led to write this post), and at that age it’s gotta be a question of the parent’s judgement.
You may wonder why I’m even talking about this, but last night I went to another mom blogger’s site to enter a giveaway for a girl’s swimsuit line, Lil’ Bettie Beachwear. I have to tell you I was a little shocked at some of the scantilly clad suits I saw and the poses that some of the girls were modeling (Daddy B agrees with me). Some of you may thinkI’m crazy, and you’re entitled to your opinion, but I could never see my girls in some of the suits pictured.
Personally, I prefer full coverage suits above all else but, Little Miss A received a couple of two-piece tankinis from her Nana. I let her wear them even though her little belly pokes out a little, but the bottoms are full coverage. So, I’m not saying parents have to keep their children covered at all times, I just hope that as parents we will consider where we draw the line in regards to modesty when we’re picking out our children’s clothing. In general, I like little girls who are more covered up than this beautiful Lil’ Betties Model:
Some of you may not see a problem with the swim wear, and my issue isn’t just with this suit specifically, I’d just rather not have to worry about my girls body parts poking out of their swimsuits on the public beaches. Of course I know there are nude beaches for all ages and that the human body is beautiful, because God made us, but there’s also the modesty issue and I’m an advocate.
Where do you stand on the modesty issue?
I agree on the modesty and do feel it sets the stage for how they dress later, and shows them what we as parents feel is acceptable. I also am a full coverage bathing suit mom for my little 3yo daughter. I also like normal dresses and tops as much as possible. I don’t like a lot of skin showing, and if it is, it is in very specifically controlled situations, like OVER the bathing suit, etc. Good post. I agree, lets let kids be kids and not rush them to grow up or look like grown ups.
Interesting post! A few years ago I would’ve agreed with you whole-heartedly, but living in Europe for the last 2 and 1/2 years has somewhat changed that. Most kids here don’t even bother wearing bathing suits- whether that be at the beach (and not a nude beach, just the regular public beach) or the local public pool. Our son rarely wears a bathing suit, and if he does it’s more for sun protection while we’re on the beach and then we take it off when he goes in the water. This is the norm even for little girls; good friends of ours have two girls, a 3-year-old who rarely wears a suit at all and a 6-year-old who wears only the bottom half of a bikini. Here it’s not about rushing our children to grow up, it’s simply cultural and how things are done. However, I will also say that I wouldn’t allow my son to swim naked in the US. Stuck between two cultures? Yup, I certainly am, but when in Rome…
i agree wholeheartedly. not only is unnecessary (and perhaps sending out the wrong message) for little girls to wear skimpy bathing suits, it is also not practical in terms of actually swimming/playing and sun protection!
I completely agree with you. I cannot stand seeing tiny little girls in tiny little bikinis. They look uncomfortable and I constantly see mothers yanking down the tops. Not to mention the complete lack of any additional sun protection. I just feel that so much is too adult for our kids these days. Can’t we lengthen their innocence as long as possible? Your post is excellent and I hope it makes others think a little.
I remember back in my college days, we were studying advertising. A shocking 98% of women in advertising had their legs somewhat spread or bent to where the thighs were never touching. This seemed to be an underlying theme of using sex to sell. (There was also a trend of having mouths slightly open). Once we, as women, know what we are being targeted for, then these trends will no longer work. Sadly, this has been passed down to a younger generation. Why doesn’t having you “normal” smile and simply standing tall, not seem as attractive as parting your lips and pushing out your pelvis????
I have to agree to some extent. My daughter, who is 8, does own a bikini bathing suit, but she only wears it around home and at family functions. When going more public I prefer to keep her more covered.
I would agree with this mostly. I have no problem with two pieces (like tankinis or bikinies with more coverage)…it’s the itty bitty ones on the 5 and 6 year olds that seem unneccessary.
I’ve got to say, I find bikinies more “suggestive” than a kid running around naked. They imply the opposite of the innocence that a partially-covered bikini body does. I don’t find anything suggestive about a tankini- just convenience. However, as the mom of boys, I’m happy that this issue won’t directly affect me!
I’m with you all the way! My daughter wears one pieces or the fully covering tankini’s when she goes out. At home she is allowed to wear two pieces though…
Maybe I’m a little old fashioned, but I think little girls should be covered up more. Most of the people I know agree with me about this.
I am quite modest as you do and I don’t like my girls wearing bikini either. Some people may think that kids are cute wearing bikini as they won’t be embarrassed even the top or the bottom fall off, and this is the best time for them wearing bikini. However, I think we should cultivate the conservative thought in them early in their lives when they are young such that they know what is appropriate. Later on, they can use their own morale standard to decide how they like to dress themselves up.
I am a guy. Is it innapropriate for me to wear a bikini to the beach. I’ve done it, and it is quite relaxing.
i agree with you and think children swimwear should be model on manequees. thank you