As parents we worry – and when it comes to worrying, some of us are pretty good at it (myself included!)
I think mainly I’m pretty relaxed and calm when it comes to parenting but a recent request from my little girl has left me a stressy situation I am struggling to deal with.
The Request? A summer bikini!
Bikinis for little girls
You may think this is an overreaction on my part – and that perhaps I need to get a grip? A bikini to you, may seem like nothing to worry about at all, but to me I’ve had a battle in my head over buying one for my 5 year old, who desperately wants one for this years holiday.
Why did she suddenly request one? Good old Barbie, TV shows and her friends. This combination of bikini interest started the ‘pleeeeeease can I have a bikini mummy’ requests and although I didn’t say no, and instead found rather wonderful swimming costumes to steer her away with instead – I haven’t yet said yes.
Really – I need to ask myself why I find the ‘kid bikini’ such a worry.
Like the totally silly 3 year old child bra and mini heels that are available, I think I worry that they represent the over-sexualisation of young girls and I want no part of it.
But then thinking logically – surely a bikini is simply a two piece swimsuit for keeping cool on hot days in the paddling pool and holidays in the sunshine?
Would you let your little girl wear a bikini?
Why do I worry when mostly in the sun she’ll be covered in a t-shirt or rash vest over the top of her newly purchased bikini to keep her skin safe in the sun? Perhaps the media and it’s ever flowing stories of scary people who could harm her makes me want to wrap her up in cotton wool (or a very long thick jumper) to keep her safe.
But thinking hard on it all – what really is the difference between her wearing a swimsuit and a bikini apart from two inches of material missing around her middle?
Am I over-worrying? Would you or do you let your little girl wear a bikini?
What are your thoughts?
August 5, 2015
Charlene
I don’t have a girl so I can’t speak confidently about how I’d feel but I think I’d be inclined to let it go. A costume like the one you have pictured seems age appropriate. I am very anti heels and bras so I guess I don’t see two pieces as automatically sexualised, they can be very sporty!