Give me your best tips for getting kids to wear suncream please

[ininhhggb]

DS (4) is currently saying he never wants to go outside again...

Have you tried the roll on? DD is almost 4 and obsessed with putting it on herself using the roll on ones. We also use UV suits so not much needed.

Will he do it himself (or at least some of it/help?). My almost-5yr old does it herself now except for her face/neck and from about 3 onwards she would help us do it. She also used to particularly like the novelty of the roll on ones as PP have mentioned.

It's not something I gave mine the option with. Tell them, don't ask.

I saw a great instagram reel on this - Dr Martha Psychologist.

Mine never tolerated sun cream. I just kept him covered up.

I don't think it's as straightforward as telling them they have to have it on and it's non negotiable. It's a horrible sticky feeling which is awful for anyone who suffers from sensory problems.

It's non negotiable in my house including for my eldest who has ASD/ADHD and sensory processing difficulties. They put it on our don't go out but they won't be getting TV, technology etc inside. Educating them on sun cream is helpful, encouraging them to do it themselves too. I just see it as part of ther daily routine like teeth brushing

You are very fortunate that your child is able to be 'educated' to wear sun cream. There are many children who simply cannot learn about it and even more who understand the concept but still can't manage the sensory input.

I disagree wholeheartedly with removing privilege from a child with a disability if they can't do something because of said disability.

Spray on stuff. Aldi do a factor 50 which dries pretty much instantly. I tell them to t pose so arms out and spray them everywhere exposed apart from face they do face with sticks.

This always works for my DD: "we're going outside, it's time to put on sun cream now, ok?"

statement and then the "ok"at the end makes all the difference.

I used to use a foundation brush to apply to her face, but she lets me just use my hands now. I also model putting it on myself and ask her to help me put mine on.

We have used solar buddy refillable roll ons for years and ds immediately agreed to apply on places he refused before (face and neck etc) because he could do it himself, supervised

Spray on is so much less sticky and easier to apply. Not the Ambre Solaire dry mist though, awful stuff. We tried out new ones all the time to see which the children were happiest with but always a factor 50 and spray on.

If the other option is getting burnt, hospitalised and potentially skin cancer to its something I will insist on with my kids. Disability or not sun safety is vital. I would never forgive myself if my child got burnt due to my negligence. If it means having to keep them in as they refuse sun cream and I know they are going to get burnt without it that's what will happen. It's not cruel it's safeguarding them. I have witnessed first hand bad sun burn on a child and they were in excruciating pain, on a drip in hospital now at very high risk of skin cancer as a teen-ager.

With my child who has ASD/ADHD I I use spray on sun cream from Aldi, visuals to explain the process and pictures of sun burn. It's built into our daily routine so it's not a change. Obviously I appreciate there are some kids that isn't possible with but with many it helps a lot.

I use Calypso once a day, it's brilliant, a gel too which i find easier than sprays. Maybe he'll tolerate it more if it's only once a day.
The Boots stick suncream is great for them to do it themselves.

Fundays12
Absolutely agree. DS is AS/ASD non verbal until 7. Huge sensory issues. However I would no more allow him to be in the sun without protection than I would drive him anywhere without seat restraints. It's totally and completely non negotiable. Regardless of the disability. Or the level of meltdown.

It's safeguarding .

Cover the body as much as possible with clothing eg full swimsuit on with sleeves and legs then it’s not much to have to do. Agree that the spray is better than the cream - but it was non- negotiable for ours. DS1 was ok, DS2 not, but it was a case of grab him and slap it on quickly. Fortunately he was ok with hats, but we do wear hats ourselves- important as a PP has noted.

We use the Nivea factor 50 spray which is blue when you spray it on, my DC seem to think it’s pretty cool. Non greasy and rubs in easily.

Just want to clarify I never suggested anyone let their child out in the sun unprotected. I kept DS covered as an alternative.

I don't know if this will work with a 4 year old, but with DD 23months I let her 'do it herself' with the little roll on bottle and then use a proper bottle to do her properly while she's faffing around dabbing the roll on onto her knees or wherever