This seems like such a simple idea, but many parents forget to protect their children’s skin when they are outside playing. I had a friend at the 4th of July parade that didn’t bring sunblock or a hat for her child, and he had fair skin. Sun can not only damage their skin, but the sun can dehydrate a child and make them sick. There are some simple ways to protect your child from the sun.

Product packaging has changes a lot in the last few years. You can now buy a bottle of sunblock that sprays directly onto the skin. You simply spray and rub. It makes less of a mess and is quick and easy to use. Whatever skin block you use, make sure to reapply if your child gets wet. If you know your child will be outside during the day, you can help put on sunblock as they get dressed. They even have lotions that contain sunblock now.

Don’t forget their eyes. Little kids can wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun. A hat will do the job also. Sun can reflect off of shiny surfaces and glare back at them. Keep their eyes protected.

When the sun hides behind the clouds, don’t think that your child will be okay in the sun without protection. If the cloud cover is thin, the harmful rays will still get through and can burn your child. Also, we tend to forget skin protection in the winter. If it’s a sunny day with snow on the ground, the sun’s rays will bounce off the snow and can burn your child’s face.

Skin protection is such an easy step to take now to help protect your child. Give them the extra protection that their skin needs.

There are many books with varying opinions on how you should discipline your children. However, I believe that the person that knows your child best is you. Articles and books can give advice, but it is important to understand your child and what will work for them.

Not all children are the same, and this applies to children in the same family. Using time out for one child may not work for another. It’s important to understand this and not try to force the same discipline on a child that it won’t work for.

A friend of mine has a child who defies all the rules of discipline and parenting. He had a problem biting and she asked me for advice. I told her every method I have ever heard of to stop a child from biting, and she had tried them all. She had to take the time to understand him and find out what works for him.

Disciplining children is important. They need to understand that there are rules, and when they break the rules, there are consequences. However, understandably, the discipline should not use force that could be harmful to the child. When properly disciplined, a child will learn tools that will help them throughout their lives.

The discipline should also relate to the act. If a child colors all over a wall, they should have to clean up the mess. If they are too small, give them some time to try alone and then help them. Make sure it isn’t a game to them, they need to understand that they are in trouble.

Understanding your child and finding out what discipline works for them will help them become well adjusted as they get older, and help your household to run smoother.