12 tips to raise sun smart kids
After two melanoma experiences as a young adult with prolonged treatment for both, mum-of-two Claudia became very aware of the sun from a young age. “From that point on, watching people suntan haunted me,” she says.
What does sunburn really do?
Research shows that even one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence doubles your chances of developing melanoma.1 Now a mother of two young children aged three and five, Claudia raises them to be as sun aware as possible. “I just don’t want to put my kids through what I went through. And I definitely think sunburn is avoidable. Even without considering skin cancer, no one likes to be sunburnt. It looks terrible, it ruins all your holiday photos and it hurts,” she laughs. For Claudia, it’s about setting them up with good habits. “It’s really hard to change behaviour as an adult. I won’t be able to teach them when they’re 18 and going to the beach by themselves. I want to do that now, so they have those healthy habits forever.”
12 tips to help your children develop sun smart habits
1. Forget “she’ll be right”
We might tend to think the sun won’t affect us, however most of us will either be diagnosed one day or know someone who is
2. Embrace the “nerdiness”
Get excited about finding a great new sunscreen – just like you would a bronzer, lip balm or serum
3. High SPF sunshades
In breathable fabrics to help protect little ones in prams and baby capsules
4. Tinted car windows
Look for the highest SPF tint you can for extra defence in the car
5. Hats
Stash a variety in backpacks, cars and bags (it’s easier if kids aren’t loyal to one single hat)
6. Sunglasses
There are even suitable styles for infants and young children
7. Keep sunscreen everywhere
“I have sunscreen at the door and in my handbag,” says Claudia
8. Try different sunscreens
There are all sorts of types and formats – if your child likes a particular one, go with it!
9. Make it more fun
Cover the bottle with their favourite stickers or apply it with a makeup brush “When they were younger, I’d say it was like face paint,” remembers Claudia
10. Full-length swimwear
Essential for days at the pool or beach, look for minimum SPF 50+
11. Morning swims
“We usually go around 8 am then head home when the UV starts to climb,”
12. Cover limbs
Choose long-sleeved, light-weight, light-coloured clothing to minimise everyday exposure
What about when other people don’t care about sun safety?
Claudia has noticed how her focus on being sunsmart can affect her emotionally. This is especially true others don’t take steps to care for their skin.
When she was in hospital, Claudia was the youngest person in the ward. “I went through a lot with melanoma and was a patient for way too long. I guess it does frustrate me when people don’t think it’s important and have a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude. But it’s also not my place to teach other people how to parent or how to live their life.”
Sun safety and social situations
Claudia acknowledges people can have set opinions and the topic can polarise people. “You don’t want to be the person who brings down the mood or the conversation, because usually you’re at a BBQ and everyone’s having a good time you’re not there to be say ‘Hey everybody, we’re all having a great time in the sun but actually it’s going to affect us later on down the track, so you know, put your sunscreen on.’”
Instead, she says she broaches the topic more gently. “I say, ‘Hey do you need sunscreen? I notice you’re getting red, do you want to use mine?’”
Overall, Claudia believes strongly in taking daily steps to help her children develop good sun protectation habits in early life. “For me if you want to have a healthy, active life in Australia, the only way possible is being that nerdy, sun smart person.”
Sunscreens are only one part of sun protection. Prolonged high-risk sun exposure should be avoided. Frequent re-application or use in accordance with directions is required for effective sun protection.
Sources:
1 Sunburn [Internet]. The Skin Cancer Foundation 2024 [cited September 2024]. Available from https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/sunburn/
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