This was what I said to my sister before my second child was born. 

Back in 2019, when my eldest daughter was about one and we went to the beach, she would wear those +50 suits or t-shirts and I was pretty happy about it as I thought that I was doing the best choice for her. After all, children should be exposed to a variety of sensations, right?

Obviously, she wouldn’t be in the water for long before she started chattering her teeth and water play would be over.

When Lily was born, I stuck to my principles, “no, I’m not going to put her in thermals, she needs to experience things.” When we get back to the beach, ten minutes after getting in the water, Lily's lips start to turn purple and she starts to shake. Obviously, it was completely impossible to get the eldest out of the water, it didn't even seem very fair to tell the truth, and obviously Lily wanted to do as Clara did.

I had to walk Lily in and out of the water all afternoon trying to keep her from freezing!

The next day, surprise, surprise… I went straight to a sports store and bought the thermal jumpsuit!

Best decision ever.

Okay, I still think a variety of experiences is important and feeling and discovering the cold is part of that. Tomorrow I'll get a bucket of ice and let her play with it! 

Share your thoughts with us in the comments, how do you dress your kids for the beach and why?