Rash vests for 12 and 9 yo

[Badgerama]

Just a question as I've had a disagreement with my cousin over this. When we were in Majorca last summer I made my two dcs wear rash vests In the sea and pool. I felt it protected them and particularly their shoulders and stopped me slapping on sunscreen the whole time. But my cousin said I'm being over protective and the kids are too old for that. Sun cream is fine. What do you think?

I live in Australia and ALL the kids wear them, including teens. It's sensible.

Sorry but I think kids need some sun. Maybe just wear it in the middle of the day?

When we lived in the Med I always wore one on the beach, on boat trips and at the water park. The one time I didn't (it was March and a breezy on the beach) I had sunburn despite sun cream.

You can get enough sun before 10am and after 4pm.

Mind are older teens and only recently stopped wearing them completely. They would keep them on in the hot middle of the day or when doing activities like windsurfing or paddleboarding when getting a sunscreen too up was harder. I think some exposure in the late afternoon is perfect. Also mine were pretty lazy and would wear the top in preference to having to top up sunscreen. We generally holidayed in Turkey in July though so it was pretty firey.

At that age I let my kids choose - vests or sun cream. They always chose vests - far less hassle.

No sun cream is 100% waterproof, my sons both wear rash vests and we go to Florida.

They also wear a "once a day" sun cream on the exposed parts of their bodies but I do top it up, with factor 50.

In fact in Australia they won't allow companies to say once a day in case you miss a bit of the body so that one patch is being exposed all day.

This video is a great way to highlight sun damage that we cannot see

Why would anyone risk skin cancer?

My son is blond with fair skin, so yes he has always worn them on hot holidays. I used to buy the short sleeve ones. My son prefers to wear one, rather than be completely covered in sun screen.
He is 15 now though, I will have to ask him what he wants to do this summer.

Always wear rash vests.

My kids HATE sun cream so rash vests are a great invention IMO, as they'd far rather stick one on than be slathered in cream. That plus a sun hat means that neither of them have ever had a case of sunburn (which in childhood is a big risk for skin cancer later on). Just ignore your cousin and do what you think is right.

Both my DCs still have them for holidays abroad (17 and 14). they don't wear them all the time, but certainly in the midday sun, or if in the water for extended periods they will. My DD managed to get burnt last year for the first time - while away with others, and she was really shocked at how painful it was. She definitely sees the benefit now.
Decathlon do some nice bright designs for a good price.

You know your children's skin so if you know they need high sun protection then rash vests definitely make the most sense when they're in and out of the water.

Apart from anything else it's also more cost effective and better for the environment. I'm with you, my two will be wearing rash vests over swimming costumes all summer when outdoors.

My 12yo will be wearing one in Spain this summer. She had asd and particularly hates sun cream so it saves a lot of upset.

Mine are both 15 and 12 and have always liked rash vests. DD aged 12, often wears just costume but being able to have both, not worry about cream when swimming in the water or watersports is so much easier.

My DCs always wear UV tops. Quicker and more reliable than Suncream especially in the sea/pool. When it's a cooler part of the day and they're playing football etc (non-water activities) then it's ok for UV tops off & some suncream on.

RASH vests for my 11 and 7yos. I get them from m and s. They spend so much time outdoors, it is much easier than keeping track of sun cream reapplication.

Thanks all! That's made my mind up.

4yo and 10yo wear them when we're at the beach (UK). They only go down to their elbows and their legs are either in shorts or bare, so they do get a good dollop of sun. DD wears hers over her swimming costume.

We've had some lovely ones from Decathlon and they are very reasonably priced.

DH and I wear them now too as we're both fair and prone to getting burnt if we don't regularly apply suncream. Easy to miss a spot or get carried away sorting out the children on the beach.

Rashies are much easier than having to faff with repeated applications of sun cream - rashies all the way!

Both my 14yo ds and I have them!

We don't wear them all the time but certainly when out canoeing or pedalo or if swimming middle of the day we do.

Ds has a white one he wears with bright coloured swim shorts. He looks rather cool!

I also spent many years living in a hot country and he was born in one. Some sun is necessary but risk of burning isn't.