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What Swimsuit Season Really Means For Moms

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Swimsuit season can be hard on moms. But these days mom bathing suits are truly fabulous. As a woman it can be so upsetting to look in the mirror and see your body aging into something you may think doesn’t match how young you still feel on the inside. But it’s especially important for us as moms to put on our swimsuits and have fun with our kids in the swimming pool and on the beach.

Today, Kristen is sharing how she decided to stop cringing and start splashing in this sponsored post for swimsuits at Yandy.com.

Stop Cringing and Start Splashing

This is a time of year where I find myself cringing a lot. Putting on shorts – cringe. Trying on a bathing suit – cringe. Even online shopping for shorts and bathing suits – cringe. I know it’s silly and pointless to feel uncomfortable about how I look because let’s face it – I’ve had two children. My body isn’t the same as it once was. It’s done a beautiful thing and housed the lives of my two sons, and I am so proud of that miraculous feat. I know that I should accept the stretch marks and endlessly soft tummy that comes with the mom territory, and on most days, I really do. Because I am so grateful to be a mommy!

Summer Is For Fun With Your Kids

But something about swimsuit season seems to bring to the surface all those deep-seated insecurities that I feel about how I look – especially how I look compared to before I had my kids. I’m almost certain that I used to have abs. They seem to be hiding from me these days.

I went shopping for some summer essentials a few weeks ago, and brought my 3-year old son along with me. It was a challenging time. While I was changing in the dressing room, I found myself groaning a lot. Everett finally asked me, “Mommy, why are you making that sound?” I responded, “Because I don’t like how I look in these clothes.” He immediately started laughing and said, “That’s so silly. You’re so pretty, Mommy.” I felt like I had been socked in the gut with a heavy dose of reality.

Cringe.

My son thinks I’m pretty.

He thinks I’m pretty and that it’s silly that I should think anything differently. And that, right there, is enough for me.

What Swimsuit Season Should Mean

We live in a marvelous era where women of all sizes, shapes and colors are celebrated – it’s such a exhilarating time to be a woman. We can be homemakers or CEOs or awesomely confident moms in a bathing suit at the pool. We should embrace this amazing time to be alive!

Of course our bodies are different after having kids. Some things will never be the same again. Those abs I once had – they might keep masquerading. Those stretch marks? They’re quite the badge of honor. And while I might not be able to find it in my heart to necessarily celebrate these new additions to myself – one thing is for certain… I will remember that this summer is not about how I look in a bathing suit.

This summer is about getting in my bathing suit so that I can play with my kids.

Playing In The Sun

Swimsuit Season

Especially while this body of mine is strong and able to swim and splash and do cannonballs.

I want to play in the pool with my sons, and I want them to remember me being present and playful with them. Not the mommy who worries about swimsuit season and complains in the mirror about how she looks. How lame is that? I’ve got to stop my cringing.

Am I Alone?

Ladies, I’m sure I’m not alone in how I feel here. You are savvy enough to know that what you do as a mom is incredible, intricate and intense work. I’m sure you have been encouraged to pursue some self-care from time to time – a pedicure can really do wonders for a mom. You have also probably been told to accept what you look like post-baby and love yourself in spite of what you see in the mirror. I agree with that sentiment and I challenge you to take it one step further – each time you look in the mirror and have a negative thought about how you look, remind yourself how silly it is to be down on yourself – you are so pretty! Your kids think you’re awesome! You are awesome!

Moms Put On Your Swimsuits This Swimsuit Season

So, as you can see, I put on my swimsuit. I played with my son (the water was freezing) while my other son napped. We splashed, laughed and ate popsicles. It felt like such a good way to open up the summer swimsuit season with acceptance and joy and silliness. And it was so much fun.

Find A Swimsuit That Makes You Comfortable

There are so many different styles of bathing suits that can help you feel comfortable and confident. You won’t even feel like you’re wearing a “mom bathing suit”… you’ll just feel fantastic.

Yandy.com is a great source for bathing suits and cover-ups for women of all shapes and sizes. The site offers a wide range of styles, colors and patterns, so there is a little bit of something for everyone this swimsuit season.

They have an entire line of Plus Size Swimwear and the prices are so reasonable.

Long sleeve swimsuit

Find A Swimsuit That Makes You Comfortable This Swimsuit Season

I personally love wearing this Parisian Bikini bathing suit, because even for a two-piece it gives me a little extra coverage, which makes me feel more secure as I’m moving and swimming.

This jumpsuit cover-up is absolutely wonderful because it is so soft and easygoing. Plus it offers lots of coverage so I feel super comfy bending over and playing once I’m out of the pool.

Summer Style from Yandy

Yandy Beach Cover Up

Stylish Beach Cover Up

I think the key to staying comfortable this summer is by finding a really great cover up (or two!) that you can rotate between at the beach and the pool. So that when you’re done splashing in the water with your kiddos, you can relax in something that puts you completely at ease.

This summer I will be wearing my bathing suit, splashing, doing some cannonballs and playing with my sons in the water.

I hope you will join me and do the same with your family. Mama, you are so pretty!

And remember – no more cringing – that’s just silly.

Don’t Miss This…

Did you see Kristen’s earlier post featuring Yandy Active Wear?

Why Moms Should Not Apologize For Living In Activewear

Active Mom

Disclosure: This post is sponsored, so extra thanks for reading and sharing.
Written by 5 Minutes for Mom contributor Kristen Hale, who blogs about living a playful and intentional life at Oy!
Talk with us: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with us at pinterest.com/5minutesformom

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What Swimsuit Season Really Means For Moms

 

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181 Comments

  1. Looking so gorgeous!!!
    And what a great post!!!😍

    I can’t seem to find your cover-up….
    It might be out of stock…..
    But if you maybe find something similar again, could you please share?

    Thank you so much!

    Reply

  3. I prefer tankinis for 2 reasons. It is easier to use the restroom and my bottom is smaller than my top so it allows me to purchase the correct size suit for my size.

    Reply

  12. I like wearing a one piece bathing suit with a little skirt attached at the bottom. I like my thighs covered.

    Reply

  13. I wear bikinis with one of my own tank tops/cami tops over it. I do not like how one pieces look and tankini’s leave my belly hanging out.

    Reply

  14. I wear a one piece. At 58 I still have the figure for a bikini but feel that I should show less skin at my age.

    Reply

  22. I like full pieces best. Tankinis second best. And bikinis only when I’m relaxing in my own yard. 🙂

    Reply

  24. I like wearing a tankini, because I’m large. Love the cover up your wearing over your bathing suit. Thanks!

    Reply

  31. I like to wear both. I like the skirt type the most. One piece or two piece. I also like my bathing suit to cover all body parts 😉

    Reply

  33. I love a two piece bikini… whether it be a Tankini or bikini. Bottoms must have enough support in front🙃 and have that extra coverage 😬

    Reply

  35. I love high waisted two pieces and I am obsessed with the long sleeve, rash guard top! (super chic and different!) I am also all for the cute one piece trend, instead of one pieces that made me look like I was trying out for the junior high swim team!!

    Reply

  38. I love a sporty looking, trendy top with full coverage so my toddler can’t easily flash the world my chest in a very now neutral color (sage, mauve, taupe, etc) with a sporty athletic cut bikini bottom in a bold print with hints of the neutral color in it.

    Reply

  43. I usually look for two piece tankinis because we are a sporty family, so I need more functional pieces and not have to worry about a wardrobe malfunction!

    Reply

  51. I prefer to wear one pieces, however there are really some cute 2 pieces that would work well too!

    Reply

  52. Even though I look younger than my age, I am 63 so I still prefer a one piece. Hard for woman my age to wear a 2 piece.

    Reply

  53. I have worn a one piece for years. Back in my youth I would wear one with a deep plunge, no a Michael Kors one piece tank is styling!

    Reply

  57. Tankinis with the skirted bottoms seem to be the best for me. They cover most things without worry.

    Reply

  58. I like tankinis. I wore a bikini in college but I didn’t feel comfortable, even though I was at my thinnest.

    Reply

  60. I used to wear a size 3. After having a baby, I’m now a size 12, even though I’m healthy, eat healthy and am fairly active. I like wearing creative two piece swimsuits.

    Reply

  61. I used to be a competitive swimmer and wore one pieces for races, but always wore bikinis for regular lounging around the pool or at the beach. After I had my son, I usually wore creative two pieces or one pieces. Now, I am 63 and I wear whatever I can get into, but still prefer the creative two pieces that look like one piece suits. I like the kind that have a skirt or a blousy top because even if the extra fabric doesn’t really cover up those troublesome areas, I feel more comfortable and confident wearing that type of suit.

    Reply

  70. I always wear a one-piece because I’m overweight and a one-piece is more comfortable. Someday, I would love to be able to rock a bikini. That day may never come because I love food too much. 😉

    Reply

  74. I prefer extra coverage or at least tankini style. I haven’t worn a swimsuit in 10 years. I have lost 100+ lbs in the last year, so I think it’s time to try on a swimsuit again!

    Reply

  76. Once upon a time, I wore a bikini, but 3 kids later I wear something for more coverage.

    Reply

  77. I am thinking that at age almost sixty-one this month that I better be covering all this up with a one piece style swim-suit. I don’t want to put someones eyes out. Or turn them into a pillar of salt when they gaze upon me. lol 🙂

    Reply

  81. I like bikinis and tankinis! I wish one pieces fit me better, but I like all the new high-waisted bottoms, and high neck tops!

    Reply

  83. When it comes to swimsuits I am a tankini type, I like the bottoms that are skirts too, because I like to be modest with my curvy and busty self. I’m not self-conscious so much about my body but rather like to keep things covered when I’m active with my kids in and out of the water. Thanks for the chance to win, I like the suit featured in this post.

    Reply

  89. I prefer to wear bikinis at the pool but at the ocean I also wear a rash guard. The water is usually cold around here so having a long sleeve (and super cute) rash guard really helps.

    Reply

  91. I like a modest swim suit. I like the cover up that was shown in this post. I will be looking it up for sure!

    Reply

  96. Skirted bottoms over shorts are my favorite. They’re hard to find as actual swimsuits so I usually end up wearing a running skort.

    Reply

  102. I prefer extra protection! There are many cute outfits and it reduces the risk of sunburn! 🙂

    Reply

  105. I like to have good coverage and support so I can chase after kids without worrying about something popping out!

    Reply

  108. I got a high waisted 2 piece after having my first son and really liked myself in a 2 piece for the first time in my life. With nursing, I was actually slimmer than I had been before the baby (I realize I’m one of the lucky ones). After baby number 2, I’m not AS comfortable in that same suit, but found a really flattering black one piece for this summer. I agree with some other commenters that boob support is key!

    Reply

  116. If I wear a swimsuit, it has to be a one piece with the little skirt at the bottom. I need as much cover as possible. Thank you!

    Reply

  117. I like tankinis for the coverage that they offer and I don’t have to take off my entire suit to go to the bathroom like in a one piece.

    Reply

  121. I am in the pool almost everyday for water aerobics and I like a one piece with a cross back but for vacation I prefer a tankini.

    Reply

  125. I tend to wear one-piece swimming suits. I don’t necessarily feel confident in a swimming suit but I don’t bug out about it. Thanks.

    Reply

  129. The two-piece is adorable on you. I have been getting one-piece suits, still keeping my two piece, but haven’t worn them in years!

    Reply

  131. I prefer to cover as much as possible, lol, so I go for the tankini. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  133. I generally wear bikinis, however I tend to have a problem with the bikini tops because they aren’t supportive enough.

    Reply

  144. extra coverage for sure but can’t tell you the last time my swimsuit saw the light of day

    Reply

  146. It really depends on where I am and my level of fitness, sometimes like a bikini, other times a tankini or one piece.

    Reply

  150. I wear a one piece but would love to try out a two piece that has shorts for the bottoms and a good supportive top. Tankini would be great.

    Reply

  152. I have struggled wish they would make a slimming one piece with an extra skirt at the bottom to help cover you more.

    Reply

  158. I like to wear two pieces that offer some additional coverage. I have never really like one pieces I’m not sure I have ever even owned one lol.

    Reply

  160. I like one piece and black. Yes, I have had five babies, so you know I have some extra pounds and skin 🙁 I sure wish I knew how to get rid of extra skin, and when you can’t do the exercises to get rid of it. I have spinal stenosis (huge back problems). So I really love, love the black one piece I saw with the fringe. I like to wear those lacy beach coats too. My arms flap in the wind 🙁

    Reply

  162. I like my two-piece with boy short bottoms. I prefer more coverage nowadays, I’m okay with not being able to sport a bikini anymore, but kudos to those who can rock them!

    Reply

  167. I like swimsuits with skirted bottoms! Unfortunately I don’t see too many on Yandy.com, but perhaps I have to search more.

    Reply

  171. I like bikinis the most because they are most comfortable, but this year I’m thinking of trying out a one piece. I will probably end up just getting another bikini though!

    Reply

  172. As I’ve ages I’ve moved from bikinis to tankinis! Oh well. I’d probably prefer jeans and a Tshirt but they are sort of hard to swim in! 😉

    Reply

  176. I prefer a tankini top, and I really like shorts that you could swim in, or put on over your tankini bottoms for extra coverage.

    Reply

  177. I have not worn one for quite sometime.
    I have worn a bikini in the past but I think a tankini or a cute one piece. I really do not know.

    Reply

  179. I really appreciate the full coverage bikinis like the YANDY GOLDEN ROSE HIGH WAISTED BIKINI.

    Reply

  180. I prefer a bikini but it needs to be high-waisted. I like one pieces but they usually lack boob support!

    Reply