to wish I could still boss my adult DC about regarding sun cream?

[UsernameInvalid66]

DC (20 and nearly 19) are home from uni. DC1 was white-blond until the age of about 14, is now mousey but with very fair/reddish eyebrows and eyelashes, and very pale and freckly. DC2 is not quite as fair and used to tan quite easily as a small child, but doesn't go outside as much now and is currently quite pale, and got sunburnt legs the other day despite using sun cream (sweated it all off and didn't re-apply enough, I suspect). If we all go out together they will use it but moan and imply that we're being too strict to even suggest it, if they're on their own they just don't seem to bother.

Yesterday the two of them went into town together for several hours without using any sun cream and I told them I thought it was very silly of them - "oh, but we were inside most of the time!" Yeah, right, but they walked in in the first place and it was crazy hot yesterday!

I'm not going to keep browbeating them about this all summer - I recognise that I have no right. But it annoys and worries me that they won't take it seriously. I probably won't even still be around when/if it comes back to bite them on the bum. AIBU to be a bit sad that they won't listen?

[AgentProvocateur]

I hear you! Sun cream is one item on a long list of things I wish I could still control (alcohol, room mess, eating, sleeping etc etc) 😂

[AdalindSchade]

Are they burnt?
Surely they will get the message if they keep burning themselves. I find it difficult to get my ds to see the importance as a mixed race child he doesn't burn! And his dad has never worn sun cream in his life so doesn't get it either

[blueskyinmarch]

I got very sunburned age 17. The full heatstroke and blisters. My mum told me to put on cream and I didn't listen. Learned the hard way! I reckon that's how it works.

[UsernameInvalid66]

AdalindSchade DC2 had already been burnt once before yesterday but I don't think they were further burnt yesterday by some miracle.

The trouble with "learning the hard way" is that it could potentially mean getting skin cancer one day - and I doubt if they'll even make the connection that far down the line. It's funny how they don't smoke or take crazy risks with extreme sports etc, because they know that's dangerous, but this particular risk doesn't seem that important to them...

I have to admit I don't enjoy wearing sun cream myself. I'm having to put it on before work at the moment as my job involves being outside in the middle of the day, and I'm not given any time to put it on then, so I feel sticky and sweaty before I've even started! But it's just not something I would want to skimp on, however annoying it is.

[PocketNiffler]

Would they put p20 on in the morning if you got it for them?

[UsernameInvalid66]

PocketNiffler it's a possibility. I'd like to investigate that for my own use actually.

[RhiWrites]

I'm mixed race and used to be totally casual about sun care until my mum said how much she worried about me. Somehow it stuck and not only do I carry factor 50 with me, I have a great tan.

Don't give up. Just ask as a favour rather than ordering them.