Hey, fellow moms, just wear the swimsuit!

Green Bay Area Mom
Jun 28, 2021
3 min read

Here’s a fun fact about me – I don’t enjoy being in the water. For years, I successfully avoided swimming, and I believe I did not wear a swimsuit more than just a few times from the time I was pregnant with my first kiddo until she was 6. My hubby did most of the water stuff, and I stayed on the sidelines.

Then, when she was 6, she started getting invited to swim and water outings – a friend’s birthday party, a Girl Scouts outing, etc. I knew I had to get over myself and purchase (and wear) a swimsuit. I had avoided it for years – I was no longer a slim size 2, and combining that with my dislike of water activities, I could literally think of almost anything else I would rather do.

I dutifully went to the store and found something that would work. It fit decently, didn’t look awful, and I could be active in it, in case I needed to chase after my kiddo at a pool – I didn't need to be worried about having a wardrobe malfunction. I wore it very self-consciously, wistfully wishing that I could be like that mom who appeared to be so confident and carefree in her adorable 2 piece. As soon as the God-forsaken swimming event was over, I changed right away and shoved that swimsuit into the back of my dresser drawer, banished to live in the depths of the dresser with my Spanx.

Fast forward to last week. That 6-year-old is now 10 (with a younger sister who is 8), and we went on a family vacation that involved a lot of being in and around water for much of the trip. I now have 3 swimsuit tops and 2 bottoms, so I can mix and match the pieces. I have found some more comfortable styles (dare I say, almost cute?), and I even have a couple of cute cover-ups and some sun hats that complement the looks.

We went to our resort pool, and while the kids were playing, I looked around at the other families.

I’m going to be honest – I still don’t LOVE my swimsuits and I am still not a fan of being in the water, but now I don’t all-out dread it. I forgot to pack my cover-up for a beach day, and I didn’t even really mind spending the beach time in just my suit.

Mommas, please don’t be afraid to just wear the swimsuit and have some fun with your kiddos because you are nervous about what others might think or say. Life is too short and these years go by too quickly to sideline yourself. If anyone says anything to you, remember that their harsh words are probably more of an indication of their own insecurities than of their perceptions of you. Or, to state it more simply… “You do you, Boo.”

If you need me, I’ll be over here wearing my SPF 50, with my sun hat and my “mom suit”, but not wearing the shame or judgment of others. (Oh, and remember to set your timer so you remember to reapply that sunscreen!)