As a single mom of a 12 year old son, where we live its extremely hot during the summer. To all you moms out there how do you feel about applying sunscreen and protecting your child in the sun?
Even if he is 12 when we go to the beaches, or swimming pools, it will be ME who will be slathering sunscreen on him because I think that If I do it my self, I will feel more satisfied and that my son will be protected much more.
I dont believe that "oh mommy is putting sunscreen on me" becasue its out jobs. I use 1 tablespoon of sunscreen per arm and 2 per leg and 4 for back and front, so I know he is protected.
what do you do to keep your children safe in the sun and at what age?
2007-02-10 19:22:58 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Mine are 7 and do it themselves. I live in Australia where skin cancer is the biggest killer. they learnt at the age of 6 to do it so they can put it on at school. Though i admit at the beach i would help with the hard to reach spots but mine wear rash vests to protect their skin. So they only need to do face arms and legs. There is no way at the age of 12 I would be still doing it (I would there backs if they didn't have on a rash vest but they do mine too) I would not embarrass them like that. At 12 they are responsible enough. If they got burnt several times them I would rethink that but at 12 I don't expect they would. They have great dexterity by then. I would hate their friends to tease them about needing their"mummies help"
2007-02-10 21:45:43 · answer #1 · answered by Rachel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mom, you are doing the right thing both for your children and yourself. Melanoma (skin cancer) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. In the "70's" we REALLY SLATHERED ON THE SUNSCREEN back then . You cannot use too much sunscreen. Make sure it's at least a PSF 30.We put sunscreen on our kids from the first time we took them out just to a park to play(toddlers) YOU ARE A SMART MOTHER!!
2016-05-25 09:45:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
definitely to the sunscreen.
but...at age 12 you might want to let him do it himself. 12 year olds can babysit...i think they can put on their own lotion (maybe help him with his back!)
I have 2 daughters....one who is 4 and one who is 2. They always get sunscreen if we are going to be spending time outside. They are fair skinned like their father so I try to get them to wear a hat too.
I also wear SPF 15 sunscreen everyday. Even in the winter. It is in my lotion.
P.S. Totally agree with Mom of Twins!
2007-02-10 19:33:20 · answer #3 · answered by tiffany 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's cute that you actually measure it out.
Younger children don't always know what's good and bad. It's def time for him to put it on himself, and you help with the back, but if he's really stubbern, let him burn once.
Also, they make a shirt you can buy that has built in sunscreen.
2007-02-10 20:03:55 · answer #4 · answered by Greg P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for you for trying to protect your kids, but I think by 12 years old they should be old enough to do it themselves. The most I would have let my mom do at 12 was my back.
Kids grow up. It's part of life.
2007-02-10 19:29:40 · answer #5 · answered by desiderio 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello, Yes by all means use sun screen. Regardless of age the ultra violet rays burn young and old. Priscilla ps use the highest number always.
2007-02-14 14:27:31 · answer #6 · answered by prisca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
those things can be played by ear. if your child isn't capable of putting sunscreen on, by all means. if they are capable then instill the importance in them. i don't think it's a sin to do for your children. some families operate that way just like some families are more apt to hug more.
2007-02-10 19:36:08 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an adult and if I'm by my mother I still ask her to do my back or my face. I do understand that little over protectiveness. I don't think I'd trust my bf to put on sun screen better than me
2007-02-11 14:45:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my 7 year old wears a hat and a t-shirt and has sun cream on the rest of his body and my 14 year old doesnt like the sun esp since i had skin cancer removed from my face last year......
a sun tan is never worth the pain later in life.....you are doing a good job...
2007-02-10 20:49:56 · answer #9 · answered by superloopy70 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lady, please loosen the apron strings. If he burns once he'll remember to put it on next time. That's how we learn. If you don't stop he'll be dependent on you forever. Which is not a good thing in case you did not catch that. It ruins further relationships in his life. Trust me I'm married to one of those, and it is a constant fight. It will be a fight until she is dead and gone. I am not trying to be harsh, but sometimes it is hard to foresee what our raising will do to (not for) our children.
2007-02-10 19:37:15 · answer #10 · answered by mom of twins 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋