There is a Wrong Way and a Right Way to Apply Sunscreen
Most of us enjoy being outside, but know that over exposure to the sun can be damaging to our skin. That is why it is crucial that when you plan any outside activities, make sure you protect your skin against the sun’s rays. The key to this is using an effective sunscreen product. Here are some tips in finding the right sunscreen product for you.
1. Sunscreen and SPF Ratings
All sunscreen products are required to list their SPF rating on their label. The sun-protection factor or SPF is how sunscreen is calculated by sunburn protection on sunscreen-protected skin as opposed to unprotected skin. To calculate this you simply take the time it takes to turn your skin red, say 10 minutes. Then if you use an SPF 30 sunscreen, you would be protected for about 300 minutes.
When looking to buy sunscreen check the labeling for specifics. For example, for most individuals buying sunscreen should look for one labeled water resistant or waterproof. In addition, anything with at least an SPF of 30 should be more than adequate. The highest rating you will find in the sunscreen industry now is SPF 50, though you may find a few with an SPF 50+ on their label.
sunscreen
2. Sunscreen and Exposure
It is important that you apply sunscreen to body about 20 to 30 minutes before exposing yourself to those harsh sun-rays. Your body needs that time to absorb the sunscreen into your skin layers for the optimal protection. Remember that you need to reapply your sunscreen at least every 2 hours or if you have done any heavy sweating or have recently gone swimming.
Not many labels will warn you of this, but sunscreen will stain your clothing. Try not to apply it while clothed. Be very careful when applying it and give the sunscreen lotion or spray time to absorb before putting any clothing on.
3. Sunscreen and Expiration Dates
Like most products, there is an expiration date for sunscreen. Throw it out if it is more than two years old. Sunscreen older than that has probably lost most of its effectiveness and therefore not safe to use. If you do not find an expiration date write one on it with a permanent marker.
4. Sunscreen and Other Protection
Many people believe that sunscreen alone will protect them. Not true. To guard yourself from possible skin cancer you need additional protection. When venturing outside wear a hat and limit your time in the sun. Seek out shade whenever possible, especially during the hottest hours of the day usually between 10:00 in the morning and 2:00 in the afternoon.
Learn What You Need to Discuss With Your Teenagers Before They Begin Dating.
As your child begins their journey into becoming a teenager, a natural progression is their desire to begin dating. Many parents have differing opinions about when their teenager should be dating. However, it is important that parents make sure that their teenager understands when and at what age they will be allowed to begin dating. Here is our guide to your teenagers dating:
1. When to Begin the Teenager Dating Talk
Thoughts of dating will become apparent between the ages of 12 and 16 years. This will be about the time that your teenager will begin to formulate ideas of what a relationship should be. They will be influenced by what they see on TV and in the movies, as well as how their peers behave. All of these influences will begin to pressure your child into thinking they need to have a relationship and therefore begin dating.
This is a great time to begin the conversation with your child about the appropriate time to start dating. A conversation about when to begin dating is a lot easier to have than after your teenager has decided to begin. Approach the subject of dating as a hypothetical conversation with your teenager. If you talk with them about their dating life, they may see it as a personal attack.
2. Be Open When Discussing Dating With Your Teenager
It is important to be able to openly talk with your teenager about who they are dating. If you as the parent see that your teenager’s choice in dating is not one that you approve of, you need to have that open communication to discuss that with them. By doing so, you avoid looking like the police and more like an open parent willing to discuss their teenage dating.
3. Teenage Dating and Mutual Respect
If your teenager is just beginning to date, more likely than not they have begun an innocent puppy love affair. However, even what seems to be the most innocent of teenage dating could be a violent relationship. Have an open discussion with your teenager about mutual respect in a teenage dating relationship. Establishing an open communication with your teenager will make it more likely that they will talk with you if there is any abuse.
4. Teenage Dating and the Sex Talk
The big question when teenagers begin dating is when will sex become and issue. Some teenage girls believe that they have to have sex just to keep a boy. This can be a sticky issue for the parents if they believe this could be happening. If your communication has been open with your teenager, discuss with them about the realities of sex. This can include safe sex practices to self-esteem issues stemming from teenage sex.
However, since many teenagers get their first impressions about dating from movies and TV many of them have certain ideas about what a relationship should be. Girls will think of the guys they want to date as romantic, protective, and very focused on her. Most girls will want a guy who know just what a girl wants and to read their mind. This usually means that girls are more worried that boys will not live up to their expectations and sex is just not as important to them.
A Guide to Summer Lessons for Children
The last school bell rang and your kids are off for the summer. For most kids those thoughts of schoolwork and lessons are a distant memory and something they won’t be thinking about until fall. While kids do need the summertime for their freedom, it’s important that they continue some learning during their time off from school. Studies have shown that kids lose one to three months of learning during the summer. However, there are a few tricks you as a parent can do to keep your child learning so that they don’t fall behind when school starts again in the fall.
1. During the Summer Have Your Kids Hit the Library
Encourage your kids to read by taking them to the library during the summer. If they don’t have a library card, get them one. Many local libraries sponsor summer reading clubs that keep your child motivated to read. Make sure to let your child pick their own books out, summer is for fun reading.
2. During the Summer Have Your Kids Read Everyday
What better choice to have than to read outside on the porch or in the backyard while soaking up the sun. Join in with them, read aloud their favorite book, no matter how many times you have read it. Pick a time everyday where you all stop and read as a family together. Nothing will stimulate a child faster than to have adults reading with them.
3. During the Summer Find Other Ways to Stimulate the Kids
Show your child the other things to do that keeps them involved and still stimulates them. If you are planning a family trip, have them check out the map and brochures. Let your child go online and research where they are going and what there is to see.
You can also assign your children different things to do that involve reading. Have someone check the weather report in the newspaper or what current event is happening and then have them report it back at dinnertime. Have a child check out magazines or websites for fun recipes that can be prepared that week.
4. During the Summer Improve Their Writing Skills
Learning to organize your thoughts into a logical manner is a writing skill that is often lost. To help your child, have them write about thing during the summer. If you child has a passion for something such as animals, have them write a short report about them to share with the family. If you are going on a trip, have your child keep a travel journal to be shared with family and friends when you return.
Parenting is one of the hardest jobs you will ever do.
Raising your child to be a winner takes time, effort, and some luck. You need to start your child’s education while they are young, and you’ll find that those teachable moments will come early and often.
Children Need to Earn Their Independence
Studies have shown that when parents give children more freedom and responsibility, those kids start to develop stronger values and principles. An example might be the next time your teenager asks to stay late at a friend’s house. Instead of telling them, ask them what time do they think would be appropriate for them to be home. When they give you a time, ask them why they picked that. If they don’t give you an answer you like, you can always say no. But you’ve given them an opportunity to learn appropriate time boundaries in your home.
Nobody Likes a Quitter
Your child needs to know the pain of giving up. It’s not a decision that should be taken lightly. If your son or daughter wants to quit the soccer team, tell them they need to tell the coach and his or her teammates. Chances are they don’t want to make that decision and have to face those who they will disappoint. Make them responsible for their decisions so that they will understand the importance of them.
Words are Important to a Child
The language development in children starts at an early age. As a parent your words to them are important. Remember to never talk down to your child, but use age appropriate language. When doing activities with them, discuss with them what it is that you’re doing. Let them interact with you in a conversation about what is happening in their world. You can use big words, even if your child is unfamiliar with them. Kids will pick them up by the context they are used in.
Fighting Gets You Nowhere
This becomes the lesson of compromise. When children fight amongst themselves, they are usually caught up in the moment. They will see the conflict with the other child, but rather than find a solution, they would rather just fight. They will try hard to drag you into it. Don’t take a side, even if they beg you. Tell them that if you decide it will not be a decision that either of them will like. They will have to find a resolution and therefore a compromise.
Build the Child’s Confidence.
Competition starts at a young age, especially with siblings. Children are always trying to compete for mom and dad’s attention. Let them, healthy competition leads them to more confidence. When playing games with them, let them win in the beginning. As they get older, make it harder for them to get those victories. This will stretch them and build their confidence so that they can have the “can do” attitude that leads them to success later in life.
Don’t Reward a Bad Tempered Child
When your child begins that tantrum in the middle of the store by sitting in the middle of the aisle and screaming, don’t ignore it. Instead be calm and attentive towards them. Let them know that you will not be upset by this, and they will not be getting what they want. When the child recognizes that their tantrums are futile, you win. This one probably will take more patience than most lessons for parents. It probably won’t work the first few times you try it. Stay with it, by the seventh or eighth time you will have won. Your child will learn that it’s not the loudest screams that get rewarded but a calm, cooperative attitude.
As a parent, you will have a huge impact on your our child’s success. Celebrate their victories and make sure that they understand your expectations. Remind them that life is like a marathon and not a sprint. Let your children test themselves, but gradually and only one challenge at a time. Success takes time and focus; it is achieved by those who eventually set their sights on one passion and master it.
Here Are Ten Tips to Help Your Child Enjoy Summer Camp:
1. Preparing for Summer Camps
You and your child will have a much better summer camp experience if you have prepared you and them. Make sure that you all the important information about the summer camp. That includes any requirements the camp has as well as a shopping list of things your child needs to bring. Check when physical exams are required and keep up to date on any deadlines the summer camp imposes.
2. Choices in Summer Camps
It’s important that your child have an input into what type of summer camp they want to attend. You don’t want to send them to an all boy’s camp if they want to start making friends with girls. Find out if your child wants to continue to build on a certain skill such as surfing, or do they want to try something different, maybe golf for example.
3. Early Registration for Summer Camps
Two reasons to look into early registration when choosing a summer camp, the first is that many summer camps offer 20 to 50 percent discounts to early registrations. The second is that you give yourself and your child plenty of time to get prepared.
4. Comfort Zone and Summer Camps
Many times your child will want to go to summer camp with their friends. However, your child’s friends may be preventing your child from broadening their social circle. Try to get them to join a summer camp where they will meet new friends doing new activities.
5. Summer Camps Foster Independence
Many parents find that summer camps are a great place to begin fostering their child’s independence. Try not to set your child up for failure by assuring them that if they are unhappy you will come to pick them up. Being homesick and getting through it is part of the summer camp experience.
6. Summer Camp Levels
In your search of summer camps, you will find specialty camps that focus on your child developing a specific skill. These camps have instructors who have an expertise in those areas, but may not be good at helping your child through their homesickness. Investigate the levels of the summer camps you are contemplating. If your child has certain needs, discuss them with the summer camp administrator.
7. Specialized Summer Camps
You will find that some summer camps are more specialized than others are. If you send your son to baseball summer camp, will they offer him other activities such as swimming, hiking or canoeing? On the other hand, is this a baseball summer camp that immerses your child in the advanced training in baseball?
8. Consider All Your Options for Summer Camp
Is your child contemplating a local or long distance summer camp? Make sure that you take into consideration how they are transported if it’s a local summer camp. How are they picked up and dropped off? Are there special services to get your child home safely?
9. Tour the Summer Camp
Whenever possible, tour the summer camp your child will be attending. As a parent, you may find details that are overlooked when you are registering your child. Does the summer camp provide enough restrooms or adequate sleeping facilities for example?
10. Recommendations for Summer Camps
When it comes to summer camps, referrals are great, but don’t rely on them entirely. You will find professional summer camp agencies on the Internet that can give you unbiased opinions. They can address your questions and concerns to help you make sure that your child and their summer camp are a good fit.
