When a swimsuit is more than a swimsuit

We love the water in our family. When people ask us what to get Cassidy for a gift, we say swim lessons! (thank you Aunt Rene, Uncle Mark, and Grandma and Grandpa Smith)

It's a safety must for our girls to know how to swim. And a bonus that we really enjoy the outdoors and anything water related. The very first time I bought a swimsuit for Cass, Matt and I had a slight kerfuffle over two pieces versus one-piece swimsuits. I didn't quite understand his over-protective stance and he was baffled by my lack of concern. She was just a baby. She looked absolutely adorable in everything. What was the big deal?

Round and round we went until finally I gave in to his moratorium on two pieces. Not because I fully understood, but because it was exhausting going round and round and the suit I was going to get for Cass was no longer on sale!

 I think Lake Tahoe was her first real encounter with water. We had a grand time, splashing around, playing in the sand, and doing all those things you do with kids at the beach. At some point, I looked around us and was dismayed to see so much...flesh. To the point where I felt so uncomfortable I lowered my head and tried not to look up again. Suddenly, all of Matt's arguments were romping past me in scantily clad fashion.  And watching how others looked at the barely there suits gave me serious pause. Could it be he was right after all? (Yes, I said it, you were right babe.)

There is a line between tacky and classy. There is a difference between feeling beautiful and confident and sexy and looking oversexed. You can claim your identity and not have  a care for what others think of you while still respecting yourself and being aware that the image you put out there is being picked up by lots of little ones whether you want it to or not.

Our girls are going to learn everything about being a lady from me. How to dress, how to act, what's appropriate, when to apply certain levels of sassiness to a situation, and more. The concept of body image and and how we associate that with positive reinforcement or shame starts so young. Much younger than I thought it would. And for me it started right there at the beach almost 4 years ago.

The girls do wear full one piece suits. They are cute and cheap and do what they are supposed to do. Cover up stuff and allow for flexibility in the water. To role model that, I got rid of my two piece suits and bought super cute one piece suits as well. For now, they want to be just like momma and that means I have to role model for them what kind of women I hope they'll grow up to become. I've tried to press upon them that no matter your size, there is an outfit, or in this case a swim suit, that is the right cut and color and shape for you, highlighting your best assets without compromising your integrity.

And this is not a one-sided responsibility. Oh no. This burden does not fall on my shoulders alone. Having Matt as their daddy means they are looking for what he considers beauty and acceptable as well. When he shows affection and happiness at what I wear, they see a grown man who defines beauty through other factors that don't revolve around baring all. So I'm hopeful they'll want a partner who does the same.

The last three years I have had a maternity suit and this is the first year I get to buy a new suit! Thanks to sales in the off season and free shipping, this one-piece suit just arrived. Cass said, "Momma I want one just like it!"

We are on our way... :-)