Modest Bathing Suits for Moms: A New Summer Trend?

Are you tired of exposing your postpartum body at the beach in revealing swimsuits? The new modest bathing suits trend may be just what you've been waiting for. The Short of It The newest trend in bathing suits is so-called "modest" swimwear that covers up arms, legs and other body parts that many of us moms would prefer not to show! The Lowdown Tired of the tiny two-pieces being marketed to women, companies are seeking to corner a new market. Their target audience: any female who prefers a more modest look when she hits the beach or pool. We're talking pants, long-sleeve tops, maxi-dresses and capri pants paired with tops, all made out of swimsuit material. HydroChic actually began its modest bathing suit line to cater to Orthodox Jewish women who follow a strict dress code and can't show their arms and legs, even at the beach. But soon, founders Daniella Teutsch and Sara Wolf realized there was a larger market of women who prefer a modest summer look. On their company's website, Teutsch and Wolf say they were sick of seeing women who "were out there donning men's T-shirts and night shirts over our traditional bathing suits for sun or body coverage." They knew there was a market for their fashions, and now they are seeking todress women of all shapes and sizes in flattering and chic, yet modest beach looks. Undercover Water and Aqua Modesta started in much the same way. The latter bills itself as the "the original Kosher swimwear." Styles from Aqua Modesta's line include long skirts with pants sewn in, long-sleeve tops, and even matching swim caps. Among its clients, the company counts religious women who adhere to stricter dress codes, older women who prefer not to show much skin, plus-size women, and women who simply want to avoid excessive sun exposure. The Upshot So, is modest swimwear the new frontier in mom bathing suits? It will be interesting to see if this trend catches on and replaces the swim cover-ups I see so many mothers sporting at our local beach. As for me, I worry I'd sweat too much in pants and a long-sleeve top—not that I wouldn't mind skipping the sun exposure or perhaps not having to worry so much about how I look in a bikini! Would you wear a modest bathing suit?

How to Solve a Child Meltdown

Parenting can be the most rewarding job ever, but it also can be one of the hardest, like when the child you love dearly is spinning out of control. It happens to every parent. Just remember to breathe, and try these strategies to get your kid – and yourself - back on track. 1. Know the signs. It’s much easier to stop a meltdown in its tracks if you see it coming. “Tantrums are like dominoes,” says Houston psychologist James H. Bray, PhD. “Once a few fall, they’re all going to fall.” Learn the signs that your child is getting worked up. Then, you can teach him to see them, too. 2. Distract little ones. Diversions often can help children 3 and younger. Show them a toy, or start an activity to shift attention and head off a tantrum. At this age, kids don’t understand the concept of cause and effect, so discussions aren’t effective. 3. Take a break. Removing your child from whatever’s getting him worked up. This gives him a chance to calm down and soothe himself, which is an important skill to learn. Have young kids lie down with a favorite toy or sit on the couch. Older kids can be taught self-soothing strategies like taking a deep breath, counting to five or ten before talking, or distracting themselves,Bray says. 4. Show self-control. “The hardest thing is to remain calm and not engage,” Bray says. If you feel yourself getting upset, step back, take a deep breath, and give yourself time to regroup. “Kids are going to learn much more from their parents’ behavior than from what they say,” he says. 5. Speak firmly. Explain what you need from your child, but don’t lecture or yell. Be firm and set boundaries. “Remind your child that this is the rule. Do it in a calm way rather than getting emotional,” Bray says. If your child misbehaves and you give him a hug because you think it’ll calm him down, it will reinforce bad behavior. 6. Use humor. “Humor is often a good defuser,” says Gail Saltz, MD. She's an associate professor of psychiatry at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell School of Medicine. “If you see things going in a downhill direction, being able to do something a little silly or funny can help.” Teasing, though, is always a no-no. There’s never a good reason to make fun of your child, call him names, or humiliate him. 7. Talk about feelings. Young kids often have trouble talking about their emotions. They might not even know what they’re feeling, and that can add to their frustration. Help your child understand and talk about his feelings. Teach him that everyone gets upset sometimes, and it’s OK to talk about it, Saltz says. Ask questions like “What happened?” and “Do you feel sad?” Ask him for ideas for things that will help him calm down. “This is how you start to help a child get in touch with his feelings and talk about it as opposed to acting out,” Saltz says. 8. Team up. Get on the same side. Saltz suggests saying: “I know this is hard for you. Let’s try to figure out what can make things easier.” If he wants something, give him a choice, but don’t just give in, Bray says. Say, “Do you want to take a bath now or in 5 minutes?” or “Would you like to clean your room now or after you watch your TV show?” 9. Identify the cause. If you notice a lot of meltdowns, look at what else is going on in your child’s world. “He might have too many stressors or more activities than he can manage," Saltz says. “Consider rolling back.” He might be upset about something else, like a recent change in his life. Saltz suggests trying this: Ask your child to draw a picture or play a game where he acts out a situation using dolls. This can help him work out his feelings and give you a better idea of what’s bothering him. 10. Get help. If your child acts out frequently, takes backward steps in things like potty training or sleeping through the night, or resists going to school or doing activities he usually likes, it may be a sign that he has anxiety. A professional therapist can help.

Main Cities and Attractions of Vietnam

Vietnam’s history of occupation and war has had a major impact on the country it has developed into. From its survivalist spirit to its cuisine, Vietnam shows signs of its influences while still retaining its own unique style. Vietnam is rapidly becoming an extremely popular tourist destination. The country has a series of attractions, from sites, reminding visitors of its war-torn past to interesting landscapes, that makes it endlessly intriguing to tourists. Hanoi The capital of Vietnam is also its second largest city. The city lies along the Red River. There are many lakes in the city; the most popular of which is Hoan Kiem Lake. The Old Quarter is the historic section of the city that has been around since its establishment over a thousand years ago. The Old Quarter is home to such attractions as One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Hanoi Flag Tower, and a piece of the 900-year-old Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hanoi is also the location of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum. Visitors can view the remains of the famous Vietnamese ruler and learn about the country’s history. Ho Chi Minh City Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and its financial center. It was the capital of South Vietnam during the country’s split and was renamed after the fall of Saigon in 1975. The city has many popular museums, including the Reunification Palace, the former presidential palace that has supposedly been left untouched since the fall of Saigon and serves as a 1960s throwback, the War Remnants Museum, a graphic look back at the Vietnam War, and the Museum of Vietnamese History.   Hue The former imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802-1945 sits on the banks of the Huong River. The Complex of Hue Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes tombs of imperial rulers, pagodas, including Thien Mu, the tallest in Vietnam, temples, and Ngo Mon Gate used by the royal family to enter their palace. Natural Sites Ha Long Bay One of the most popular tourist attractions in Vietnam is named the “Bay of Descending Dragons.” The bay is filled with thousands of small islands filled with jungle vegetation, limestone pillars, lakes, and caves. Mui Ne Sand Dunes The Red and White Sand Dunes are a unique Saharan-like formation in Vietnam. They are very popular for sand sledding. Phong Nha-Ke Bong National Park This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the world’s largest cave, Hang Son Doong, and the oldest karst formation in Asia. A tropical rainforest filled with caves and grottos, there are endless things to explore in the park. Historical Sites Cu Chi Tunnels 120 kilometers of restored underground war tunnels used by North Vietnamese soldiers. Hoi An A fishing village and now popular tourist attraction, it has been an international port since the 16th century. The Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.   (All photographs are courtesy of the original owners unless otherwise indicated)  

Top Destinations in Puerto Rico

Demography of Puerto Rico Puerto Rico lies in the Caribbean Sea. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States and acts as a self-governing commonwealth. The island has a tropical marine climate and is warm year-round. The Puerto Rican cuisine is best known for plantains and pork dishes. The island has a rich culture influenced by its Taino, African, Spanish, European, and North American history. The capital of Puerto Rico is San Juan, which is located on the main island of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico also includes smaller islands, most notably Vieques, Isla Mona, and Culebra. There are many great beaches in Puerto Rico. The islands are a great place to soak up natural beauty. Some Tourist Attractions of Puerto Rico  Old San Juan: This historic neighborhood is home to many 17th and 18th centuries forts, plazas, and buildings. Calle del Cristo is a great shopping street filled with local crafts shops, restaurants, and great people watching. Plaza des Armas is a popular square that hosts the City Hall and “The Four Seasons” fountain. The two main forts are Fuerte San Felipe del Morro and Castillo de San Cristobal. El Morro was built in the 16th century to guard the entrance to the port of San Juan. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a U.S. National Park. Take a walk through the tunnels, barracks, and prison cells. San Cristobal is one of the largest Spanish fortresses in the Western Hemisphere encompassing 27 acres. It was built in the 17th century to guard the land entrance to San Juan and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can enter both forts for one price. El Yunque National Forest: The rainforest is a great place to go hiking and spot wildlife. It is home to the endangered Puerto Rican parrot and the Coqui tree frog. The La Mina waterfalls are a must see and make for a great swimming hole. Hike to the top of Yokahu Tower for a great view of the forest. Guanica State Forest: The largest remaining tract of tropical dry coastal forest in the world is an international Biosphere Reserve. Rio Camuy Caverns: Take a tour of the 268-acre complex of caves, which include one of the largest underground rivers in the world. Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay: A trip to a bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico is an absolute must. This one located on the island of Vieques is great. Go at night for the full blue light effect. Cerro de Punta: Puerto Rico has mostly mountainous terrain, and the highest point on the island stands at over 4,000 feet above sea level.      

Top Sites to Visit in Stockholm

Skyline and Demography of Stockholm Stockholm is the center of life in Sweden. The most populous city in Scandinavia is also the capital of Sweden. Culture, politics, government, commerce, all of the nation’s action begins and ends in Stockholm. Stockholm lies on Lake Malaren and thirty percent of the city is comprised of waterways, with 14 islands connected by 50 bridges. An under the bridges tour of Stockholm is a must. Another thirty percent of the city is made up of parks and gardens, which are worth exploring or just spending an afternoon in, relaxing. You can explore the region’s Nordic history. The city is also a great party scene, particularly in Sodermalm. From the city, you can also explore the greater Stockholm archipelago. In the city itself, there are a few must-see sites. Tourist Attractions of Stockholm  City Hall: The building where the Nobel Prize ceremony takes place is also the seat of Stockholm’s government. Tours of City Hall are available and take you through the Council Chamber, designed to look like a Viking longhouse, the Golden Hall, which has a large mural depicting a scene from Sweden’s history made up of 18 million pieces of gold leaf and to see a 10,000 pipe organ. The outside of the building is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Stockholm with its golden Three Crowns topped spire. Gamla Stan: The Old Town has been around since 1252. It hosts many of the city’s top architectural sights, including the Riddarholmen Church, a royal burial church, Riddarhuset (House of Nobility), Bonde Palace, and Tessin Palace. Stortorget, the oldest square in Stockholm, is located in Gamla Stan. You can also find many great shops and eateries. The Royal Coin Cabinet: You can’t go to Sweden without exploring the history of banking. The world’s best coin collection is filled with a collection of ancient coins as well as the world’s largest coin, made in 1644 and weighing in at 20 kilograms, and the world’s first banknote, minted in 1661. Royal Palace: The home of the King of Sweden was built in the 18th century and has over 600 rooms and 5 museums. You can tour the building to see the Hall of State, the Armory, the Hall of the Orders of Chivalry, and the Treasury. Drottningholm Palace: This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the seventeenth century. The palace has a park, a Baroque-style garden, a Chinese Pavilion, and a theater where you can attend performances that still use the original eighteenth-century stage machinery. Vasa Museum: Take a look at marine life and history at this museum built around the recovered wreckage of a 17th-century warship. The ship sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was discovered 333 years later. Much of the ship is original with some restoration. Tours of the ship are offered daily. There are also ten exhibits surrounding the ship.