In my household, my kids and I could easily be mistaken for vampires—though we certainly don’t sparkle. Instead, we possess the kind of pallor that suggests we’ve been hiding away from sunlight for ages. My ancestry traces back to Eastern Europe, near the Tatra Mountains, while my partner’s lineage hails from England and Scotland. We are, without a doubt, a very fair-skinned bunch. I still remember a “pale-off” contest from my college days, where I edged out my Irish boyfriend, who was splattered with freckles but still managed a tan. The victory was unanimous, thanks in part to my exceptionally light skin. My partner, on the other hand, tends to sport odd tan lines—like those that form where his shirt sleeves end or where his sunglasses rest.
Given our heritage, my children were destined to inherit our ghostly complexion. They arrived into the world as bright red, wailing bundles, and after a few months, they transitioned to a more familiar shade of pale. They were all winter babies, and this shift happened right around summer, which sent me into a minor panic. By “panic,” I mean I went on a shopping spree, primarily at Boden, which was the only brand offering rash guards and pants at the time. My kids ended up more covered at the beach than they were at church!
As they grew older, I continued to stockpile Mini Boden swimwear, which got passed down through my boys. Even now, my youngest occasionally wears these outfits. I’ve loosened my restrictions somewhat; my oldest can now wear regular swim shorts while kayaking, but he still sports a long-sleeved rash guard—even in the South Carolina heat. For us, swimming seems to involve more clothing than undressing.
All of my kids were born with little to no hair, which stretched the sunscreen application process to their bare heads. I was always paranoid about missing an ear while slathering on the sunscreen, so they often wore hats instead. Not the typical baby bucket hats, though—those were too hot. Instead, I opted for cute straw fedoras from Target, which quickly became a necessity. Once I saw how adorable they looked, I enforced a strict rule: hats were mandatory, or they had to retreat indoors. Our collection expanded to include various styles, from gray to straw and even blue dinosaur designs. Baseball caps were off the list, as they didn’t adequately shield the back of their necks. Over time, my kids learned to tolerate the hats, even if they sometimes complained about itching.
Sunscreening my children is another adventure. I make sure to cover their hands, legs, and, crucially, their feet to avoid those painful sandal marks. My approach includes investing in proper footwear, such as water shoes, rather than relying on last year’s sandals. And if they opt to go barefoot, they better avoid direct sunlight.
We always apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before heading outside, a practice that makes me feel like the most overprotective mom in the world, but I don’t mind. We use fragrance-free, paraben-free sunscreen that’s gentle enough for babies, even if it costs an arm and a leg. I prefer the higher SPF 60+, despite experts noting minimal differences beyond SPF 50; it helps put my anxious mind at ease.
Once my kids are taken care of, I turn my attention to myself. My go-to for facial protection is a moisturizer with SPF, paired with a long-sleeved cover-up. I also make sure to apply sunscreen from my bikini line to the tips of my toes, because nothing is worse than burnt sandal straps. Last summer, I managed only one tan line, so this year, I’m determined to keep my skin as pale as possible.
While I secretly envy those who can tan, I’ve seen the toll sun exposure can take firsthand—my father has had several melanoma removals, as has my grandfather-in-law. With this history, I’m committed to ensuring my children avoid sunburn and the potential for future skin issues. I refuse to let my laziness compromise their well-being, and as long as I can find shade, they’ll stay burn-free.
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In summary, our family embraces our unique traits and the careful precautions we take against the sun. We may not be the sun worshipers, but we are committed to ensuring our skin stays healthy and protected.
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