Know Better, Do Better
As an adult, & parent, I have been hyper aware of the damage the sun can do (see Part 1.) I think I do a pretty good job protecting my skin; I will gladly wear sunscreen all day every day, reapplying like clock work. But, it’s frustrating that when we were younger most of us were not so good, even if we do remember being lathered with sunscreen as kids. A lot of us also remember lots of sunburns. And then there were the teen years and early twenties…enough said.
When you know better, you do better (hopefully) – one of my favorite expressions. That goes for our parents and grandparents as well. With age and each generation, with science, we learn more. Just as one could argue my skin is better than my mom’s, and hers better than her mom’s, I hope my kids’ skin will be better than mine.
As a mom, sunscreen can be hard, annoying, even stressful as we shoulder the burden of trying to protect someone else’s skin. We fight unwanted applications and reapplications, especially when they require breaks from playing and swimming to do so.
I am 100% that party pooper mom and I own it! It’s my job, but it’s also my job to show them how to care for themselves, to teach my kids and stress the importance of protecting their skin.
As with most important topics in parenting, it’s a continuous conversation that evolves as they get older. My older two can now apply their own sunscreen, which is great, but I always want to make sure they have applied it well – and that they did what they said they did.
It’s hard to foster independence and responsibility with something like this that I personally really do not want them to learn the hard way (aka bad sunburns.)
Ways to Protect Your Skin
- Seek Shade.
- Dress to protect yourself from the sun.
- Wear Sunscreen: SPF 30 or higher and REAPPLY every 2 hrs, more if swimming or sweating.
- Use extra caution near water, snow or sand as they reflect and intensify UV rays of the sun.
- Avoid tanning – indoors and out.
- Perform regular skin self-exams.
(from The American Academy of Dermatology)
For more information on how to protect your skin from the sun and prevent skin cancer visit The American Academy of Dermatology’s website https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/prevent
What We Do As Parents
In our house we talk about the need to protect our skin from the sun just like we need to wear hats, gloves, etc. to protect from the cold. I’ve explained that our family history and light features make us more high risk for skin cancer, that our skin is more sensitive to the sun than others (like their friends) may be.
I don’t want them to be afraid of the sun or stay inside forever, but I do want them to take it seriously – and not argue about wearing sunscreen or hats and swim shirts. In the spirit of that, I bought myself a swim shirt for the first time and am planning to get, and wear, a hat this Summer. Also a first for me.
I check the UV Index regularly and I know that my kids have gotten pink when it’s been at a 5 (out of 10), despite the temperature being in the 60’s. So, we now have a house rule: if the UV Index is 5 or above we (try our best to) wear sunscreen, regardless of the temperature or apparent cloudiness. This can be hard if outside unexpectedly or when they’re at school as sunscreen applied in the morning is not very effective by the time they go outside for recess. BUT, I do think it helps everyone to have clear guidance and a line in the sand so to speak. It removes the debate.
It’s important to protect our skin and try to prevent further sun damage (we all have some already), but also very important to pay attention to your moles and any changes. While some skin cancer may be more common for those of us with lighter skin and lots of moles, skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin color.
So, please, let this be yet another reminder to not only protect your own skin but to help make sure your family is protected – and learning to protect themselves – as well!
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