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I strive to be a relaxed mom whenever possible. We don’t adhere to strict schedules; if my kids aren’t fans of the dinner I prepare, they can always opt for a peanut butter sandwich. On weekends, we often find ourselves staying up until midnight, lost in movies, games, or baking adventures. I don’t enforce stringent screen time rules, either. We embrace spontaneity, explore new streets, and even venture outside when it rains. If my kids crave snow cones just before bedtime on a hot summer evening, chances are we’ll hop in the car and dash to the snowball stand before it closes.
However, I have my boundaries. Bad hygiene, dishonesty, and any form of hitting are not tolerated in our home. Each child has responsibilities, and I expect them to give their best effort in school, no matter what that looks like for them.
But my top priority? Ensuring their safety. That’s why we cut grapes into quarters and hot dogs into strips, lock up cleaning supplies, supervise interactions between our kids and pets, and keep our windows secured. We also have a fire plan and a tornado safety routine in place.
And we never skip sunscreen.
Some may label me as paranoid, but I’m okay with that. I go to great lengths to shield my kids from sunburn. Protecting their skin is just as vital to me as making sure they buckle up in the car—it’s part of my role as a parent.
Whenever we venture outdoors for more than a few moments, sunscreen is a must. On days when outdoor recess is a possibility, I apply sunscreen to my kids before they head to school.
In our yard, we’ve crafted shady spots for the kids, including a pretend fossil dig area beneath our deck, complete with a mud pit and a slab of granite my husband graciously left during our kitchen remodel.
My father has a lovely pool, but we avoid peak sun hours as much as we can. We play outside in the morning and late afternoon, saving indoor activities for the hours between 10 AM and 2 PM. If we do go for a swim during midday, my kids wear long-sleeve rash guards and sun hats. We have a large umbrella by the pool that can be adjusted for shade, and we take regular breaks from the sun. Every couple of hours, we’re back on the sunscreen application.
Once the sun starts to dip and the pool is shaded, they can take off their rash guards and hats and enjoy the water with their skin exposed for a little while before it gets dark. They still get all the summer fun without the risk of painful sunburn.
While sunburn is an immediate concern, the long-term risk of skin cancer is equally important. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, making it a perfect time to strategize about protecting your family’s skin and minimizing the chances of sunburn.
It’s crucial to remember that melanoma isn’t just a concern for adults. Although rare, around 300 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with this serious form of skin cancer each year. Melanoma can spread, so prevention is key. As noted by skincancer.org, “even one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles your chances of developing melanoma later in life.” That’s reason enough for me to prioritize sun protection while I still can. Plus, my husband and I lead by example, applying our own sunscreen diligently.
Of course, I’m not flawless. Occasionally, I miss a spot, and my kids end up slightly pink. I don’t feel great about it, but I remind myself that I’m doing my best to protect them from the severe, painful sunburns I experienced during my childhood at the Jersey shore. I remember the stubborn teen years when I believed a tan was essential for prom, disregarding the dangers of skin cancer.
My kids have fair skin and light eyes, making them more susceptible to sunburn instead of tanning, but all skin types require sun protection. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection (against both UVA and UVB rays), has an SPF of 30 or higher, and is water-resistant.
My children aren’t bronzed and sun-kissed; they remain pale from the start to the end of summer. Ultimately, it’s not my responsibility to ensure they look like surfers with sun-bleached hair and golden skin. My job is to keep them as healthy as possible, which includes safeguarding their skin from excessive sun exposure.
For more insights into protecting your family and home insemination, consider checking out this blog post and explore resources like this one on pregnancy.
Summary:
In my journey as a mom, I’ve embraced a laid-back approach in many areas, but when it comes to sun safety, I take a firm stance. Ensuring my kids wear sunscreen is as vital as making them wear seatbelts. With fair skin and a history of sunburns, I prioritize their skin protection, especially during summer. There’s a balance between fun and safety, and I strive to achieve that for my family.
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