Today, a friend (and I use that term loosely since we definately don't have the same values anymore) of mine posted on her facebook page saying, "fliipin judgemetal people. if i chose to put my daughter ina freakin two piece swimsuit be it a bikini or not it is my decision not yours. be a parent to your own kids." I decided to respond kindly saying, "People may not think bikini's on children are appropriate (I'm one of them), but it's usally a good idea to keep your opinions to yourself, and (like you said) worry about your own kids." I wouldn't stop a parent at a pool just because I didn't like their swim suit. I check back later and quite a few people have responded saying that Bikini's on babies and small children was really cute, and perves are gunna look at them no matter what so why not put them in whatever. One person even decided to make fun of my post and say, "Yea, I agree, a suit from the 1920's would be better! Cover up those ankles! Hahaha!" It took great restraint not to say anymore, and I ended up deleting my comment. What is your opinion? What did you dress your tots in during swim season? Me: I have all boys, but they still wear swim trunks and a tee shirt.
My boys wear those sun suit things (can't remember the name). Long-sleeved shirts and shorts that come below the knee. I'm a stickler for modesty. When they go swimming with dh (not a Christian, and not of the same moral standard), he insists they take off their shirts. I don't approve, but I pick my battles. (And floaties don't stay on the long-sleeved shirts, so I'll give him that winning argument at least.) If I had a daughter, she'd also wear one of those sun suits like my boys have (and like I have as well... although I'm not a swimmer and have only worn it once).
My daughter has two tankinis. The bikini bottoms and a halter style top but longer cut. she is so tall that still a little of her belly shows but not much at all. If we go to a local river or lake her life jacket gets put over that so you cant really see anything but her jacket and bottoms. The boys wear shorts with a swim shirt, rash guard whatever. Bikinis are uncomfortable for adults, imagine the poor kid with straps digging in just to keep it on. All you can really see is belly and legs. I'm not worried about pervs because we never go around people to swim. The child cannot enjoy the water if they are constantly pulling and tugging at an uncomfortable suit the whole time. As for babies in bikinis in public, they don't yet realize that they should be modest and cover certain areas so if something is showing they walk around like it ain't no thang so to speak. It's not polite in my opinion. They make them, but I wouldn't let my daughter at almost 6 yrs old much less 2 or 3 wear em. It shows alot about the maturity of the parent. As for "the swimsuit from the 20's" I myself wear a high waisted pin up style swimsuit, it's very modest, cute, and i get complements on it from time to time. So yeah, COVER THOSE ANKLES! lol!
I don't have a problem with a two-piece suit on a baby/toddler/young child. I think it more modest for a little one to wear a two piece than pubescent girl. That said, I typically choose a one piece suit for my daughter when away from home.
My boys just wear swimming trunks. I wear a tankini suit with a skirt-style bottom. If I ever have a daughter she will wear a whole piece or tankini style... I am not fond of bikinis on anyone, really, but esp on teens and younger.
I agree...but most of "the world" doesn't! Sigh. We're tankini people. My girls dislike one pieces for bathroom purposes. We pick ones that cover as much as possible. My oldest is very long torsoed so an eensy bit of her tummy shows sometimes, she's very conscious about fixing it. Next year I suspect we can go to women's sizing, so that it is longer. Mine covers everything! Lol!!!
Little tummies showing every once in awhile is ok, I mean, everybodies body is different and it's impossible to make a suit that fits perfectly for everyone. It's the little bikini panties and top that looks like a sports bra that bothers me. Her daughter is 2 so she's pretty little. I just think: Just because they make it, and it's there...doesn't mean you have to buy it. It's just the differing of values between her and I, I suppose. We used to be so close, but people have to grow up and mature sometime. That time came when I had my first boy. DawnHodge: I do't so swimming much anymore, but when DH and I were first married I had a TOTALLY cute pin-up style suit that was my FAVE! It looked darn good on me too! lol.
I think the hip hugging styles are permenantly shaping women and young ladys bodies to form a permanent "muffin top" notice how ladys from the 50's and 60's didn't have such? Those eras have such a classic style and makes you feel so cute!
We're tankini people, too! We actually got into a respectful disagreement over them with the people from camp. "ONE PIECE ONLY!!!" I told them that, while I very much respected the underlying rule of modesty, my daughters' tankini was much more modest than many (most?) of the one-piece suits on the market. I finally sent a picture to those in charge by way of our youth pastor; they approved the suit! While I'm really OK with a little tummy showing, at what age do you decide this is no longer acceptable? That was our issue when the girls were little. It was just easier to say none at all. And I would NEVER criticize a parent's choice, unless asked directly.
I actually don't have a problem with 2-piece suits, I just don't like bikinis... two small pieces of fabric over the top and a small piece over the bottom really just doesn't leave much to the imagination.
Same here, if it were a cropped tankini with modest coverage bikini bottoms that's a horse of a different color. The little triangle style and thin strip of fabric bandeau styles just aren't enough coverage for my taste. Plus the tightness of the straps to keep something like that were it needs to be has got to be uncomfortable on a little one. I also see a lot of one pieces with mostly straps. one piece of fabric to cover front and back but open areas with just little straps for the sides and shoulders of the suit. They are cute! I've seen "bedroom attire" made the exact same way. That makes it a no for my dd.
My 7 yr old daughter has a very long torso and one piece suits either ride up her butt (constantly pulling at it) or if they fit the length, the leg openings are too wide which expose her. She has worn cute tankini's, but bathing suit bottoms just don't fit her. This year I found a bathing suit online and its perfect. It's long enough to fit her torso, and gives full coverage all over. It cute, and she doesn't need a cover up no matter where we go. As a plus, she absolutely loves it. My older daughter (16) is very top heavy with small hips and nothing off the rack fits her. She wouldn't be caught dead in a bikini, she is very modest and won't wear anything (top) revealing. I found a different place that makes bathing suits to fit your measurements. It's similar to the one like my younger daughter has, but more appropriate for a teen. In fact, I had one made for myself with leggings that come to my knee. The one picture is of my daughter in her suit, the other two are the suits we had made for myself (the orange/red) and my 16 yr old (blue/orange). Since they are custom made, we had the leggings shortened for my daughter half way down her thigh, mine to my knee but not over it, and the neckline lowered about an inch for both of us.
I believe teaching children about modesty begins at a young age. I do not care for bikinis on children or adults. Ems wears a tankini these days. As Jackie shared, a lot of the one pieces reveal a lot more than some bikinis. She also wears swim shorts over her bottoms.
My feeling is if I don't want my 15 year old to wear it then my 5 year old can't. We only do one pieces, swim shirt and swim shorts, or a tankini if it covers very well. I personally only do a one piece. DS wears just long trunks at home but wears a swim shirt and trunks in public.
My rule has been I would not dress a young child in anything that I would not have her wear (or I would not wear) when she is older and more developed because she would, of course, argue that if it was okay when she was younger why not now. I would not rule out two pieces, but I feel that a one-piece works better for my active daughter. Even then, the cut makes all the difference. With that said, I would not even bother to comment about what other people chose for swimwear for their daughters. I used to live Florida and what most would find immodest is so common place on the beaches, even in the local restaurants and stores there, that anything covering the "cheeks" would be considered modest by comparison.
A one piece swimming suit allows a parent to teach their daughter's (or son's) that no one should touch them a girl any place the bathing suit covers.... if they're wearing a two piece bikini style swim suit, it leaves it open to what is or isn't allowed............... that's just my humble opinion. It's how I've raised my boys and while some might not agree..... having raised all boys, it's how I choose to value women
my kids wear board shorts or leggings (below knee) and t-shirts. I've even had them wear long sleeves for extra sun protection, new zealand sun is brutal thanks to the ozone 'hole' modest is hottest
