to think it's probably better to expose the DC to sun in a controlled way than to smear them in chemicals and leave them out there all day?

[fartingfran]

We're a fair-skinned family and in this weather I'm really careful with the DC - hats on, long-sleeved tops, and only out for short periods and not between 12 and 2. I use sunblock at times but hate using it daily cos it's so sticky and chemically. Plus, I think it's better to build up a bit of natural tolerance (wouldn't go so far as the term "tan" but less whiteness!) to the sun. What do you all do?

I have red hair and burn easily as do my two younger children however I generally only put suncream on if we are out for longer periods as I know the burning point fairly well.
My son who has dark hair burns incredibly easily, he ended up in hospital after a trip to the park in march a couple of years ago (wearing winter hat and coat) it was sunny but cold - his cheeks burned so badly they blistered and his eyes swelled shut he needed antibiotics and to have them treated in the children's unit. It was unbelievable at the time because it just wasnt that sunny at all - so generally yanbu but it really does depend on the person I wouldn't dream of sending my son out even for a short period without suncream I have to go to his nursery if it is very hot as they won't put suncream on I have ti visit to do it in the day if they go on a walk.

We don't use enough sunblock to actually do what they claim to do, nor do we reapply it as often as we should, so I'd prefer to follow your sensible precautions where your actually know that the sun is not scorching your LO's skin...Not unreasonable at all.

Sunscreen wahsed off people's bodies and into sea water is really bad for corals and other marine life - that's something else to consider.

I have never used sun creams on either myself or dcs. We spend a lot of time outside, walking miles, days out at castles and gardens but never ever go anywhere near the coast on hot days.

The only bugbear has been the letters from the school and nursery dictating that everychild is smothered in cream. In view of the fact that this cream is meant to be applied very regularly it seems a nonsense when parents apply it at 8am and it isn't going to be topped up.

I had to sign a disclaimer for DS2 at nursery but I had to remind them that he was not to be left outside for hrs as part of their ofsted charming initiative of inside/outside free play space.

DS has inherited my skin, so I'm going by what I have learnt works for me. If I get a fair amount of sun now, but in short bursts, I start to get some very slight colour. Then I have a lot more tolerance for the sun over the summer rather than just burning fairly quickly.

This, coupled with using sunscreen if we are out for long periods seems a sensible way to do it to me. Know your skin, allow your natural defences to do what they are designed to do and be sensible. Hysterically smearing children in cream every time a ray of sun appears seems silly to me.

Weblette
My DC are 9yo and 6yo and we live in Geneva so see a fair bit more sun that the average Scot. :)

We have a family in the village whose children are slathered in sun cream even if they are out in the sun for just 15 mins - they were the only pale children in school last September as most of the locals seem to do the same as we do - if we are at the beach all day, I smear them in SPF 20 (anything higher than that has been proven to be no more effective so I see no point in paying more for it). At the beginning of the summer, I expose them gradually to the sun, for just 10 - 20 mins at first.

I can always spot the Brits at the beach as they are the ones with sunshade tents and UV clothing.

We don't go to the beach over the midday period and sit in the shade of large trees.

Last year my parents took the DC to the beach and disregarded my rules (not deliberately, they just didn't think) but still put suncream on them. The DC were out in the sun all day without hats and got severe sunstroke. I was close to taking DD to A&E.

Obviously, if your children are extremely sensitive to sunshine then you have to protect them, but I do believe that exposing them to small amounts is better.

The danger is that if you are caught out and forget to use suncream (or are out for the day and the sun comes out unexpectedly, the children who have had no sun exposure will be more likely to burn than those who are naturally protected.

Btw, I read this recently about the link between MS and Vit D/Glandular fever.

I think it depends. I am pale, pale, pale! Takes me approx 10-15 mins to burn if that. My Mum is very dark olive, has never sunbathed or used a sunbed and had a cancerous mole removed
So maybe I am a bit more careful... I would go out at 9/10am without cream if I was just popping out. If I am out, and know I will be out for a while I would wear Factor 30 or above. I wear F15 on my face year round