Talking about Skin Cancer to your kids...
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5 after 1 vote
I recently had a short discussion with my three-year-old about the importance of wearing sunscreen and why--because that is her reply to all of my requests..."cause why, mommy?"
I explained it to her point blank and said that it is important to protect our skin from the sun with sunscreen or we could get skin cancer and die. Besides who wants to look like a dried up prune when they are older--so sun protection keeps our skin looking young!
We have already had the discussion on death, but I was wondering if there was a way to explain it to her without sounding so harsh.
How do you explain these things to your children? Do you talk about skin cancer and sun protection? I would love to hear all comments and suggestions!
Thanks!
Kalisha
I explained it to her point blank and said that it is important to protect our skin from the sun with sunscreen or we could get skin cancer and die. Besides who wants to look like a dried up prune when they are older--so sun protection keeps our skin looking young!
We have already had the discussion on death, but I was wondering if there was a way to explain it to her without sounding so harsh.
How do you explain these things to your children? Do you talk about skin cancer and sun protection? I would love to hear all comments and suggestions!
Thanks!
Kalisha
Tags: cancer, children, family, motherhood, prevention, protection, skin, skinz, sun, sunscreen
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Doll on -
I grew up in Australia and they have a great campaign called Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.
It definately teaches you about covering up. The only thing I worry about now as an adult is that the covering up still doesn't prevent the aging effects of the sun. Sure we got sunburnt less but I began running out of pygment on my legs and arms by the time I was 30 leaving me with white dots that glow if I get a tan now.
If you are regularly outside in summer you really shouldn't be out during the peak heat of the day when the sun is most intense.
Here is a link to the slip, slop slap sight.
http://www.cancer.org.au/cancersmartlifestyle/SunSmart/Campaignsand...
From Wikepedia
Slip-Slop-Slap is the name of a health campaign in Australia exhorting people to "slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat" when they go out into the sun, in order to protect themselves against an increased risk of skin cancer.[1] It is probably Australia's most recognizable health message.
The campaign started in 1981; its mascot is a seagull called Sid.
The health campaign was extended in later years to encourage the use of sunglasses and shade. That is, slip on a shirt, slop on the sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, slide on some sunnies: "Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide". By this stage however the skin cancer aware message of the campaign had successfully been absorbed into the Australian psyche.
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Permalink Reply by Sun Savvy UV Skinz Mom on -
Wow! That is a great campaign! Thanks for giving me the link. You are right about the aging effects of the sun. There is nothing we can do about it except to be extremely careful that we avoid the peak hours of the most intense sunlight (between 10am-1pm) That is usually hard for most of us; so making sure we reapply sunscreen, wear hats and uv protected swim shirts can help.
Have you seen a dermatologist about your spots that glow? I can't imagine!
Thanks again for the great info!
Rebecca Doll said:I grew up in Australia and they have a great campaign called Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.
It definately teaches you about covering up. The only thing I worry about now as an adult is that the covering up still doesn't prevent the aging effects of the sun. Sure we got sunburnt less but I began running out of pygment on my legs and arms by the time I was 30 leaving me with white dots that glow if I get a tan now.
If you are regularly outside in summer you really shouldn't be out during the peak heat of the day when the sun is most intense.
Here is a link to the slip, slop slap sight.
http://www.cancer.org.au/cancersmartlifestyle/SunSmart/Campaignsand...
From Wikepedia
Slip-Slop-Slap is the name of a health campaign in Australia exhorting people to "slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat" when they go out into the sun, in order to protect themselves against an increased risk of skin cancer.[1] It is probably Australia's most recognizable health message.
The campaign started in 1981; its mascot is a seagull called Sid.
The health campaign was extended in later years to encourage the use of sunglasses and shade. That is, slip on a shirt, slop on the sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, slide on some sunnies: "Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide". By this stage however the skin cancer aware message of the campaign had successfully been absorbed into the Australian psyche.
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Permalink Reply by Leslie Ellis on -
My kids are teenagers now but I still make sure they put their sunscreen on. My daughter learned the hard way one time at the waterslides when she was younger and has never forgotten how painful her sunburn was. It's important to remember though, that your body won't be able to make any vitamin D when you have sunscreen of spf 15 or higher on. Vitamin D is very important for both adults and kids for bone health, immune health and many other things. It's hard to get enough from foods and milk. A liquid vitamin D supplement is a great way to make sure kids get their vitamin D each day. See www.wellesse.com.
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Permalink Reply by Dani C. on -
We don't go outside without sunscreen. Hubby has had skin cancer (basal cell) three times now. So my kids chances of getting skin cancer is high.
We just talk about it as a family all the time.
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Permalink Reply by Sheryl Loch on -
We do NOT use sunscreen.
Unless you are using all natural then you are placing a whole host of chemicals on the skin. Since skin is the largest organ of the body and most everything you place on it is absorbed - If you can't eat it then do not put it on your skin.
Cosmetics, lotions, sunscreens... have over 150 TOXIC chemicals in them. Think of a chemistry lab with a mad scientist just picking up random chemicals & mixing them up for you to place in your body. This is exactly what you are doing when you wear all of these 'lotions'. Who knows what these chemicals do when they break down in your body and possibly blend.
Do make sure you are getting at least 20 minutes a day of sun (dark skin people may need more). Your body does need the vitamin D. Having your daily supply of vitamin D can reduce the risk of several cancers.
Sheryl
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