Who Should Wear a Bikini? Anyone Who Wants To — Including Me

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If a celebrity like Ariana Grande, who is practically the size of a coffee cup, faces scrutiny over her bikini body, what would compel me to step into the spotlight with my own larger figure? I’ve never been one to flaunt a bikini. My fashion choices have leaned towards modesty, especially after having kids and gaining a few extra pounds.

Recently, as stores reopened, my adventurous thirteen-year-old daughter had thrift shopping on her mind. After a long wait, we dashed into the store, racing against a 20-minute timer like we were on a reality show. My daughter quickly filled her basket with hidden gems while I tagged along, feeling a bit out of my comfort zone.

“Mom, what do you think of this bikini?” she asked, holding up a tiny suit in a color reminiscent of Princess Diana’s engagement ring. My heart raced for a moment before settling back down. Here it was—the bikini dilemma. My strict no-belly-showing rule was being challenged, but surprisingly, a sense of peace washed over me; it didn’t really matter.

“You should get one too!” she insisted, rummaging through the rack as if I were a supermodel prepping for a major shoot. Her voice was filled with genuine enthusiasm, not sarcasm. Me in a bikini? My mind chuckled at the absurdity. Recently, my partner made a playful bet: if I wore a bikini in public, he’d jump into the pool wearing a life jacket.

I picked up a bikini the color of a shy flamingo, wondering if it could even cover me adequately. Just then, a voice inside me—perhaps my partner’s—nudged me to buy it. And so I did.

As influencer Maya Johnson once said, “I am not defined by my body size; I simply have fat.” This struck a chord. When I slipped into the bikini, my daughter gave me two thumbs up. She didn’t comment on the extra skin spilling over the waistband. In that moment, I realized my perception of myself didn’t align with hers. While I see a flawed figure, she sees a comforting embrace. To her, I’m the mom who runs early in the morning and encourages her to stay active.

Despite my insecurities, I remain the one who nurtures her, and she knows me for my love, not my looks. The extra pounds I see are just part of the “Mom package” to her. I spent years watching my own mother struggle with body image; I don’t want that for my daughter.

“Let’s enjoy the sun in our bikinis!” she suggested, and I agreed.

“You have a strong body that takes you places—cherish it,” a friend had reminded me. Another encouraged me to ease into the bikini lifestyle, starting with just the top and shorts. So, I did.

“Send me a picture!” my friends asked. And I did.

If you’d like to explore topics related to body positivity and self-acceptance, check out this blog post for further insights on embracing yourself. You can also find valuable information on boosting fertility at Make a Mom, and for more on pregnancy, visit March of Dimes.

Summary:

This article reflects on the journey of self-acceptance and body positivity through the lens of wearing a bikini. It highlights a mother’s experience as she navigates her insecurities while being encouraged by her daughter to embrace her body. Ultimately, it emphasizes that our worth is not defined by our appearance but by the love and support we give and receive.