The largest star in our solar system (our sun) shines bright on the earth each day for about 12 hours straight, depending on where you live and the weather’s mood.
While we love to bask in the glow of the radiant sun, precautions must be taken to protect our precious skin. Too much sun poses a serious health risk to every member of the human race.
If you begin to instill good sun habits in your kids at a very young age, they will have the awareness and motivation to protect themselves with proper clothing and sunscreen as they age.
With the growing body of knowledge we now have regarding the damage sun can do, there’s no excuse not to find shade and slather up. That means little eyes needs sunglasses, little noses need sunscreen, little heads need hats, and little bodies need cover.
Go outdoors to let the sun shine in your kids’ hearts, but don’t let it burn their skin.
Sunscreen
In 2012, the FDA approved and began to implement new labeling rules. Sunscreens can now say that “broad spectrum” protection with SPF 15 or higher can protect against skin cancer and prevent sunburn.
These are the only types of sunscreen you should buy because they have UVA and UVB radiation protection. If applied as directed, your kids have a better chance of avoid serious skin problems later in life.
Eye Care
Your child’s eyes are incredibly delicate. This includes his or her eyelids and the skin around them. Ultraviolet rays are of major concern for kids, especially those under 10 years old because their eyes’ lenses are clear, which allows greater solar penetration, explains skincancer.org. UVR exposure can cause cataracts and macular degeneration.
[Tweet “Go outdoors to let the sun shine in your kids’ hearts, but don’t let it burn their skin.”]Start your baby in sunglasses once she is ready to be exposed to the sun (after six months) and be sure his or her sunglass lenses have 100 percent UV protection.
If they don’t, you don’t have to shell out money for another cute pair of shades – simply replace the lenses. We’re talking to you too, Mama! Protect the family’s eyes when exposed to the sun.
Clothing & Accessories
UV sun wear is gaining popularity in America, but Australians have been wearing it for decades to prevent the sun’s damaging UV rays from penetrating their typically fair skin. Classic summer wear like t-shirts and sundresses allow sun onto areas of the skin you don’t think to put sunblock.
But now, there are several different brands that make cool, comfortable, and fashionable swimwear and protective clothing with 50 UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and 98 percent blockage.
UV-protected clothes don’t stop at swim trunks, swim shirts, and surf suits. You can find hoodies, scarves, dresses, polos, and a variety of different styles of hats.
When choosing a hat for your child, select a wide-brimmed variety that is at least three inches deep. This will ensure that the delicate skin on the scalp, the tops of ears, and the back of the neck are covered. Not only do hats protect your skin but they can help keep you cool. Be sure the hat fits your baby’s head snugly.
By explaining to your children why you take these precautions when venturing in the sun, you will instill good sun habits that they will carry with them for a lifetime.
Identity Magazine is all about guiding women to discover their powers of Self-Acceptance, Appreciation, and Personal Achievement.
We ask that every contributor and expert answer the Identity questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the current article they have written. In that way, and as a team, we hope to encourage and motivate each other, thus inspiring you to Get All A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? Additionally, what are you still working on accepting? Now, we’re not talking about resignation, rather stepping into, embraced, and owned.
To not have a second thought about what others think of me or my actions. Jack Kerouac once said, “Live, travel, adventure, bless and don’t be sorry.” So that’s what I’ve accepted, and that’s what I’m doing.
2. Appreciation is everything. What have you learned to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? On the other hand OR in contrast, are there elements of who you are that you’re still working on appreciating?
I am an eternal optimist. I appreciate that I don’t often let things get me down for long and when they do, I find the light in the situation and rise above. I try to help people I encounter do the same.
3. Share with us one of your most rewarding achievements in life? Tell us not only what makes YOU most proud but also share the goals and dreams that you still have.
After years of hard work, I feel rewarded by finally having the chance to write for a living, something I’ve been working toward since I was a wee child. It has taken time to refine my craft, and I’ll never stop doing so. I have a children’s book on the horizon.
