11 minute read
SUN KISSED BEACH DAYS
Sun-Kissed Beach
It’s true. The popular social media hash tag rings true for so many of us; we really do live where others vacation! Beautiful beaches are either in our back yard, close to our backyard, or close to the back yard of someone we know well. Our beaches are what make us here in the Caribbean, one of the world’s most visited vacation destinations in the world.
Summer is the time of year when visits to the beach increase, hotels along the coast enjoy full capacity, parents look forward to a break from the . monotony and stress of the just-concluded school term. And the children? Well, 2 months away from school for the children is simply heaven. This is the time for late mornings, lazy afternoons and … Sun-Kissed Beach Days
By Michelle Gordon Photography: Dwayne Watkins Shot on location: Beaches Resorts, Ocho Rios Swimsuits: Polkadots Jamaica
. T here’s no better time than the holidays to get your children to fall in love with the outdoors. Turn off the electronics and let’s plug into the sun! You probably don’t need an expert to tell you all the benefits of outdoor play for children. (…and grown ups too, but that’s another story.)
Your perfect day for anything, whether at the beach or not, requires proper planning. Whether you’re hanging out in your backyard or at the beach, before you pack your picnic bag or beach bag, let’s take a look at some of the things that’ll make your days in the sun, fun and stress-free. So as Julie Andrews once sang, “Let’s start at the very beginning”!
SUMMER SCHOOL FOR SUNSCREEN
So much emphasis is placed on protecting our skin, and all with good reason. With each passing year, we learn more and more about how the sun affects our lives. We know all the good and while we don’t yet know all of the bad, we do know enough to know that protection from harmful rays is imperative. A myriad of skin care products line retail shelves telling us about this factor and that factor. But what does it all really mean? Here’s a quick lesson.
WHAT ARE SPF AND UVA?
SPF stands for Sunburn Protection Factor. It measures protection against only ultraviolet radiation B and UVB, the rays that can cause burns. But the SPF level doesn't measure protection against ultraviolet radiation A and UVA, which causes aging of the skin. However, both types of UV rays can lead to cancer, so look for sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN?
The SPF testing system uses a number to represent the amount of protection that is provided. An SPF15 sunscreen would provide 15 times the protection of no sunscreen. In other words, it will be 15 times longer before you start to burn. The higher the number, the greater the protection level. Studies have shown that it may not be necessary to go higher than SPF50, but users should simply re-apply sunscreen as needed.
WHAT DOES ALL-DAY PROTECTION MEAN?
Not much. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied frequently in order to provide optimal protection. This is especially true for children who are actively in and out of the water, or running around and perspiring a lot. Reapply to areas where the solution has worn off.
Beaches come in all shapes and sizes. There are sandy beaches with shallow water, deep with crystal clear waters, and some a bit rocky and filled with seaweed. Others are lined with palm trees, almond trees, sea grape branches, or carved out with beach recliners and thatched huts. There are black sand, white sand and pink sand beaches. Inevitably they become someone's haven for a few hours, and for some lucky folks, those sandy shores become the perfect refuge for an entire day.
SAFETY FIRST
It’s every parent’s pride and joy to see their little one free from all floating devices, and swimming like fish. But the journey to that point, and even beyond that, needs to be carefully navigated. ALWAYS keep a close eye on your child, even if they can swim. If your child is a nonswimmer using armbands or other floatation devices, you (or another responsible adult) should be nearby. Don’t become complacent just because they’re wearing
safety gear. Accidents happen, and that’s the last thing we’d want to have happen. It’s a good idea to discuss with your family all the rules for the day, and ensure that your children know that they’re not allowed to enter the water without your knowledge. Give rules to your bigger children even though they can swim. If they’re old enough to go off on their own, be sure to give time limits for them to ‘check in’ with you ever so often.
PACK ‘N’ PLAY
You don’t want to be at the beach, need something, and realize that it’s still in the cupboard at home. Pack your beach bag well in advance of your trip. My advice? The younger your child, the earlier you should start packing. As your kids get older, you’ll find that experience teaches you that you really don’t need the kitchen sink at the beach! But until such time, you pack what you think you’ll need.
Beach basics will always include your towels (pack extra just in case), beach mats to lie on, toys and sunscreen. But consider the eventualities that may occur and prepare yourself with a bottle (or other container) with fresh (as in salt-free) water for washing out the sand that inevitably gets caught in someone’s eyes. Wipes are always good to have on hand for anyone with children, and hand sanitizer isn’t a bad idea either. Be sure to pack plastic bags to place your wet garments (and garbage) in, of course, a change of clothes is a must.
BEAUTY & THE BEACH
For sunscreen to work effectively, it needs time to ‘soak’ into the skin. Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas on your child’s skin before you leave home, and be sure to re-apply each time they’re out of the water. Sunblock will wash off over time losing its effectiveness. Try getting to the beach early, before the sun comes out in full force usually between 12 noon and 2pm. This is the perfect time to enjoy a lunch break – out of the sun!
When buying swimsuits, look for the ones that offer maximum UV protection. If not, at least try to cover up with a t-shirt. If you arrive at the beach early enough, you’ll probably be lucky enough to set up your ‘beach base’ under a shady tree. Failing that, you can set up ‘shop’ under a large umbrella. Bear in mind that even though you may be in the shade, you’re still being exposed to the sun. Wear your sunshades, and if your children will keep them in place, encourage them to wear shades as well. Drink lots of water throughout the day at the beach.
RISKY BUSINESS
Well-known fact: children's skin burn faster than adult’s. Once our children are being exposed to the sun, there is an increase in the risk of developing melanoma. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that research has related to ultraviolet (UV) sun exposure. Instances may be low, and though most cases do not present themselves until adulthood, childhood melanoma does exist. It’s better to be safe, than sorry, right?
The importance of inspecting your child’s body is crucial. The disease begins at the epidermis level, preventing the production of melanin, and ultimately damaging surrounding tissue. Very often, the damaged tissue presents itself as moles. Look for any growths
or moles, whether flat or raised, and visit your child’s paediatrician immediately if you find anything unusual. Like many diseases, if melanoma is detected early, it can be cured. We know that people with darker skin have cells that naturally produce a lot of melanin, while fair-skinned people produce much less. Though this is true, it is commonly misunderstood, and should not be taken as a license for dark-skinned people to ignore the use of protection.
DE-BUNKING THE MYTHS We live in the Caribbean so we’re used to the sun.
Being accustomed to the sun doesn’t make it any less harmful; it simply increases your exposure. So take all the necessary precautions as you would if this were your first time!
I’m dark-skinned; the sun doesn’t affect me as much.
Darker skin takes longer to react, but exposed to the same UV rays, the dangers are the same.
My kids are wearing sunscreen, so they’re fully protected.
They’re protected, but not fully. Remember to re-apply as needed, and make use of shaded trees and umbrellas as much as possible. Wear sunscreen-infused clothing when possible.
afternoon sun.
Though the sun’s rays are less potent at 5pm than they are at 1pm, it doesn’t mean there is no exposure at that time. Use the same precautions, and enjoy the fact that it’s a lot cooler at that time.
Using sunscreen will block the vitamin D my child needs.
Our bodies produce vitamin D with lots of help from the sun. Using sunscreen does not prevent exposure to the sun; it simply minimizes the effects of its harmful rays. Children who are healthy and active tend to get su cient vitamin D through regular day-today activities.
ROYAL DREAMS
What’s a trip to the beach without sandcastle construction? Every moat built and every fortress erected is all a part of your child’s master plan to create a structure that they already have in their mind’s eye. Maybe they’ve been inspired by a show on television, or perhaps a story in a book, but your child is trying to bring to life something that he or she has seen before. Be sure to equip your child with the right tools. The lessons to be learned from the simple act of building a sandcastle will last long after the sun sets. A spade and a bucket at the beach have the potential to inspire both a creative mind and constructive hands.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Your children will be playing in the sea and on the sand. Chances are, the sun will be hot and you’ll be guaranteed at least two things; one, they’ll have fun, and two; they’re going to get hungry and thirsty. If you’re enjoying the facilities at one of the Caribbean’s amazing all-inclusive resorts, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to keeping your children’s hearts happy and their tummies full. But if you are just doing a day visit to the beach, consider how long you’ll stay at the beach, pack snacks that are easy to munch on, and make sure you have lots of water to drink. Many beaches in the Caribbean provide, or have access to great dining options. From fish and festival, to shark and bake to burgers and fresh fruit, good food to eat is never really far away.
POOL COOL
If you and your kids opt for the pool instead of the beach, that’s cool too – get it? All the safety rules apply here just the same. You should be aware however, that all the sanitizing benefits of the natural ocean are compensated for in the pool by chemicals, which can cause red eyes and also trigger allergic reactions. Other pool disinfectants are used such as ozone or silver-cooper, but though not as harsh as chlorine, they are still chemicals. So just to be safe, always wash off after coming out of the pool, and be sure to take breaks. You may face opposition on breaks from the pool, but use this opportunity to squeeze in some well-needed hydration or food top-up.
BACKYARD BEACHTIME
If you can’t get out to the beach or the pool, take advantage of the hot sunshiny days, and improvise. Make lunchtime fun for your children by setting up a garden picnic. Have them put on their swimsuits and tell them to pretend! Be age appropriate of course; your 7-year-old may think you’ve lost your marbles at the suggestion, but to your 3-year-old, you’re a genius! When they’ve had enough to eat, reel out the hose, and spray away.
So, take a look at your summer calendar and plan your beach days. Keep your camera charged and ready, whether you’ll be enjoying the facilities at a resort, or taking advantage of your local beach for a day trip; make it a date with your children! Try not to go to the beach as the only grown up with more than one child. Having other adults around can give you a stronger sense of security with the children, and it’s also great for you to have adult company. That way, you can discuss something other than Pocoyo and Peppa Pig! You’ll have a good day, and so will your children. You’ll also score high up on the fun activities chart, and come back-to-school September, [if you’re lucky] your beach trips may well be the subject of the obligatory story “Fun Things I Did This Summer”.
