The WM Parenting Connection

By Stacey Celaya - Family Health Expert

While here in the South Eastern part of Washington our weather can't quite make up its mind, summer is (hopefully) on its way. I don't know about everyone else, but I cannot wait for it to get here. I love the sun and the water and the tan that comes along with it.

When I was a teenager my sister and I spent hours and hours diligently perfecting out very brown California girl tan. We baked in the sun using nothing but baby oil and a very strict "flip" schedule.

Nowadays I see my teenage daughter heading outside in her bathing suit with a bottle of tanning oil and I have a mild heart attack. Part of the panic comes from the nurse in me worried about skin cancer and all the damage that the sun can do if one is over exposed. The other part...well embarrassingly enough it comes from the very vain female living inside my nurse exterior. I have no doubt that the sun spots that I now have to fight to keep hidden by smearing 50 SPF on my face are a result of too much sunscreen free tanning in my younger years -- not to mention the very fine wrinkles I am now starting to see.

But I remember being a kid and loving the sun and all that goes with it. So how do we keep our kids protected from the sun all the while letting them have all the summer fun that they want?

Use sunscreen diligently
Apply SPF 15 sunblock about 30 minutes before your kids go out in the sun.
Apply generously and reapply every 2 to 3 hours.
Don't forget ears, necks, faces and use waterproof if they are going to be in the water.
Sunscreen should NOT be used on babies younger than 6 months of age, keep those little ones out of the sun and covered up as much as possible.

Stay out of the sun when the sun is at its highest and hottest
The hottest time is between 10 am and 4 pm.
If your kids are going to be out during that time them make sure they are wearing sunscreen! encourage your little ones to play in a shaded area.

Protect your eyes!
Even your eyes can get sun burnt and it can take as little as 1 hour in strong sun to damage your eyes.
Teach your kids to never look directly at the sun.

Check Medications
Some medications require staying out of the sun, check with your doctor if you are unsure.

Cover up
Covering up is the most effective ways to protect skin from UV rays.
This includes the head - wear hats with a brim that covers the face.

Practice what you preach!
Remember kids are copy cats they will do what they see you doing...so set a good example.

And as always, remember to keep everyone well hydrated when spending time in the sun. It is way too easy to become dehydrated and fall prey to heat sickness - so drink up!!
　
　

You Are My Sunshine....