sunscreen - when nothing works...
tutalea
Hi,
I'm a member of the group, but I think this is my first real post.
I'll get right to the point. My son is 4 years old and he absolutely
hates sunscreen. Trouble is, he has very light skin, so playing in the
sun without being pretected is a big no-no for us.
We do not believe in using force and although we've resorted to it out
of sheer frustration and helplessness we hate having to use all kinds
of sneaky coercion - you know: "if you put on sunscreen, you'll get
candy.."
But even that doesn't work, and we are really at wits end.
He spends all time indoors, because everything in his mind is better
that sunscreen. But he also really misses doing stuff outside.
Yesterday he cried, because he couldn't go and feed the ducks by the
lake. It's really heartbreaking.
He is a really high-need child, and he has a real temper, which I'm
sure he gets from me :) But until now we've been able to cope with any
obstacle without resorting to questionable tactics - even toothbrushing.
Any ideas?
thanks for a great group
Morten, 34
married to Sisse, 34
kids: Bjørn, 4 & Falke, 1 (tomorrow :) )
we live in Denmark, Europe and would love to hear from other
unschooling parents in our area
I'm a member of the group, but I think this is my first real post.
I'll get right to the point. My son is 4 years old and he absolutely
hates sunscreen. Trouble is, he has very light skin, so playing in the
sun without being pretected is a big no-no for us.
We do not believe in using force and although we've resorted to it out
of sheer frustration and helplessness we hate having to use all kinds
of sneaky coercion - you know: "if you put on sunscreen, you'll get
candy.."
But even that doesn't work, and we are really at wits end.
He spends all time indoors, because everything in his mind is better
that sunscreen. But he also really misses doing stuff outside.
Yesterday he cried, because he couldn't go and feed the ducks by the
lake. It's really heartbreaking.
He is a really high-need child, and he has a real temper, which I'm
sure he gets from me :) But until now we've been able to cope with any
obstacle without resorting to questionable tactics - even toothbrushing.
Any ideas?
thanks for a great group
Morten, 34
married to Sisse, 34
kids: Bjørn, 4 & Falke, 1 (tomorrow :) )
we live in Denmark, Europe and would love to hear from other
unschooling parents in our area
Sandra Dodd
-=-He spends all time indoors, because everything in his mind is better
that sunscreen. But he also really misses doing stuff outside.
Yesterday he cried, because he couldn't go and feed the ducks by the
lake. It's really heartbreaking. -=-
A sunburn is better than crying and not doing stuff outside.
If he's never had any sunburn at all, he won't have any personal idea
why sunscreen might be a good idea.
Maybe he would compromise and just let you put it on his forehead
where he can't smell it or feel it, or maybe he would put it on his
own arms. Let him wash his hands afterwards so it's not on the palms
of his hands.
I'm guessing you've already looked for unscented gel or something
that doesn't feel yucky to him.
Parental inflexibility about sunscreen IS force. You're forcing him
to stay in.
-=-sneaky coercion - you know: "if you put on sunscreen, you'll get
candy.."-=-
How's that sneaky? The big one is "If you put on sunscreen you can
go outside and feed the ducks."
-=-Yesterday he cried, because he couldn't go and feed the ducks by
the lake.-=-
Why didn't you write "Yesterday he cried, because we wouldn't let him
go and feed the ducks by the lake"?
You've put sunscreen (your beliefs about sunscreen; your preferences
about sunscreen) between you and your son, and between your son and
the world. That's one big screen!!
-=-He spends all time indoors, because everything in his mind is better
that sunscreen.-=-
He spends all time indoors because his parents think nothing is more
important than that sunscreen.
He's four. Just because a four year old doesn't understand what
sunscreen is for doesn't mean he'll be a ten year old who refuses
sunscreen.
And not all people sunburn as easily as others regardless of the
degree of fair skin. Not all skin is just the same. Some burn
EASILY and others not so much. I live in New Mexico, and I camp with
people of all skin tones and some never use sunscreen and don't get
burnt and some do and still get burnt where they forgot to put it,
and some do out of fear and will never know whether they needed it or
not. They let medical and government warnings scare them. They let
sunscreen advertising run their lives.
There's my philosophical advice, involving the principles.
On a practical note, he might more easily let you put sunscreen on
him if he's sitting in your lap with his back to your belly and you
put it on without him seeing it coming. Dentists and dental workers
are great about approaching a mouth with tools without getting in the
way of the eyes. When my kids were little, the feeling of sitting in
mom's lap having her massage their faces was fine. The other
position, my hand behind their head and my fingers approaching with
scary stuff coming toward their mouth, nose and eyes was not nearly
comforting.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
that sunscreen. But he also really misses doing stuff outside.
Yesterday he cried, because he couldn't go and feed the ducks by the
lake. It's really heartbreaking. -=-
A sunburn is better than crying and not doing stuff outside.
If he's never had any sunburn at all, he won't have any personal idea
why sunscreen might be a good idea.
Maybe he would compromise and just let you put it on his forehead
where he can't smell it or feel it, or maybe he would put it on his
own arms. Let him wash his hands afterwards so it's not on the palms
of his hands.
I'm guessing you've already looked for unscented gel or something
that doesn't feel yucky to him.
Parental inflexibility about sunscreen IS force. You're forcing him
to stay in.
-=-sneaky coercion - you know: "if you put on sunscreen, you'll get
candy.."-=-
How's that sneaky? The big one is "If you put on sunscreen you can
go outside and feed the ducks."
-=-Yesterday he cried, because he couldn't go and feed the ducks by
the lake.-=-
Why didn't you write "Yesterday he cried, because we wouldn't let him
go and feed the ducks by the lake"?
You've put sunscreen (your beliefs about sunscreen; your preferences
about sunscreen) between you and your son, and between your son and
the world. That's one big screen!!
-=-He spends all time indoors, because everything in his mind is better
that sunscreen.-=-
He spends all time indoors because his parents think nothing is more
important than that sunscreen.
He's four. Just because a four year old doesn't understand what
sunscreen is for doesn't mean he'll be a ten year old who refuses
sunscreen.
And not all people sunburn as easily as others regardless of the
degree of fair skin. Not all skin is just the same. Some burn
EASILY and others not so much. I live in New Mexico, and I camp with
people of all skin tones and some never use sunscreen and don't get
burnt and some do and still get burnt where they forgot to put it,
and some do out of fear and will never know whether they needed it or
not. They let medical and government warnings scare them. They let
sunscreen advertising run their lives.
There's my philosophical advice, involving the principles.
On a practical note, he might more easily let you put sunscreen on
him if he's sitting in your lap with his back to your belly and you
put it on without him seeing it coming. Dentists and dental workers
are great about approaching a mouth with tools without getting in the
way of the eyes. When my kids were little, the feeling of sitting in
mom's lap having her massage their faces was fine. The other
position, my hand behind their head and my fingers approaching with
scary stuff coming toward their mouth, nose and eyes was not nearly
comforting.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Amy Graber
When my babes were little like that they didn't much care for putting
sunscreen on their face so we would wear hats. I'd recommend using
sunscreen made for faces, it goes on much easier, not so thick. Another
thing that would work for them was letting them do it themselves and
offering help. They were actually pretty good at getting the stuff on
too! They used to make sunscreen in different colors, they thought of
it as face paint!
If those idea's don't work, let him go out anyway! He can learn from
actually getting a sunburn or bring him in when he starts getting red
and show him (not in a "I told you so sort of way"). In the early
morning hours the sun isn't quite as strong, as well as the later
afternoon hours.
amy g
dsm, iowa
tutalea wrote:
sunscreen on their face so we would wear hats. I'd recommend using
sunscreen made for faces, it goes on much easier, not so thick. Another
thing that would work for them was letting them do it themselves and
offering help. They were actually pretty good at getting the stuff on
too! They used to make sunscreen in different colors, they thought of
it as face paint!
If those idea's don't work, let him go out anyway! He can learn from
actually getting a sunburn or bring him in when he starts getting red
and show him (not in a "I told you so sort of way"). In the early
morning hours the sun isn't quite as strong, as well as the later
afternoon hours.
amy g
dsm, iowa
tutalea wrote:
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> Hi,
>
> I'm a member of the group, but I think this is my first real post.
>
> I'll get right to the point. My son is 4 years old and he absolutely
> hates sunscreen. Trouble is, he has very light skin, so playing in the
> sun without being pretected is a big no-no for us.
>
> We do not believe in using force and although we've resorted to it out
> of sheer frustration and helplessness we hate having to use all kinds
> of sneaky coercion - you know: "if you put on sunscreen, you'll get
> candy.."
>
> But even that doesn't work, and we are really at wits end.
>
> He spends all time indoors, because everything in his mind is better
> that sunscreen. But he also really misses doing stuff outside.
> Yesterday he cried, because he couldn't go and feed the ducks by the
> lake. It's really heartbreaking.
>
> He is a really high-need child, and he has a real temper, which I'm
> sure he gets from me :) But until now we've been able to cope with any
> obstacle without resorting to questionable tactics - even toothbrushing.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> thanks for a great group
> Morten, 34
> married to Sisse, 34
> kids: Bjørn, 4 & Falke, 1 (tomorrow :) )
> we live in Denmark, Europe and would love to hear from other
> unschooling parents in our area
>
>
Kim Dawkins
How about a wide-brimmed hat or other sun-protective clothing? There
are companies on the internet that sell clothing specifically
designed for sun-protection.
How about going outside early in the day or late in the day when the
sun is not as intense? Seek out activities that provide fresh air
but also an abundance of shade--a well-shaded playground or some such
activity.
You also might want to do a search on the overuse of sunscreen or the
dangers of sunscreen. There are plenty of articles on the web that
tell a different story than the sunscreen manufacturers would have us
believe.
Kim
are companies on the internet that sell clothing specifically
designed for sun-protection.
How about going outside early in the day or late in the day when the
sun is not as intense? Seek out activities that provide fresh air
but also an abundance of shade--a well-shaded playground or some such
activity.
You also might want to do a search on the overuse of sunscreen or the
dangers of sunscreen. There are plenty of articles on the web that
tell a different story than the sunscreen manufacturers would have us
believe.
Kim
On Aug 7, 2007, at 5:24 AM, tutalea wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm a member of the group, but I think this is my first real post.
>
> I'll get right to the point. My son is 4 years old and he absolutely
> hates sunscreen. Trouble is, he has very light skin, so playing in the
> sun without being pretected is a big no-no for us.
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
jenstarc4
> I'll get right to the point. My son is 4 years old and he absolutelyBeing protected from the sun doesn't necessarily mean having to use
> hates sunscreen. Trouble is, he has very light skin, so playing in the
> sun without being pretected is a big no-no for us.
>
sunscreen. My sister, who lives in sunny New Mexico, feels that
sunscreen is actually very unhealthy. She has her kids wear long
sleeve light weight clothing and hats instead of sunscreen.
I have red hair and freckles, believe me, I know the fear of sunburn.
I've had some really bad ones in my life. One or two really bad
sunburns is not going to destroy a person's skin. I just got a lot
more freckles. My mom has red hair too, she grew up in sunny
California boogey boarding in the waves and didn't wear sunscreen. She
hasn't had any problems with her skin, same thing with my grandmother,
although when she was in her 70's she had a piece of skin on her nose
replaced because of potential skin cancer. It didn't disfigure her or
cause her discomfort. That was 70 + yrs in California without
sunscreen with fair skin and a few freckles.
I have 2 children with fair skin, one burns, the other doesn't do
anything, no burns or tans, she stays a peachy color no matter how long
she stays in the sun with or without sunscreen. The one who burns
sometimes doesn't want sunscreen on her face, so I let her wear a cool
hat instead and have her put it on her arms herself. She is almost 6
and has experienced mild sunburn, so she knows vaguely how it feels.
We don't live in a place with intense sun.
I think forcing a kid to wear sunscreen isn't worth it. There are too
many variables and too many other options than sunscreen. A nice broad
brimmed hat could potentially cover most of the skin on a small child
throughout much of the time that kid is outside.
Sandra Dodd
-=-I think forcing a kid to wear sunscreen isn't worth it. There are too
many variables and too many other options than sunscreen. A nice broad
brimmed hat could potentially cover most of the skin on a small child
throughout much of the time that kid is outside.
-=-
I was thinking of what was done before sunscreen came along:
hats, parasols and bonnets. Long sleeves.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
many variables and too many other options than sunscreen. A nice broad
brimmed hat could potentially cover most of the skin on a small child
throughout much of the time that kid is outside.
-=-
I was thinking of what was done before sunscreen came along:
hats, parasols and bonnets. Long sleeves.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Christy Mahoney
Sandra's right about skin differences. I've been surprised many
times that my girls don't get sunburned when I do so easily, and our
skin seems to be about the same in color. If I don't wear a hat, my
head WILL get sunburned if I'm out for more than 30 minutes or so.
My 2 girls have never had sunburned heads. It's kind of a mystery.
Have you tried spray-on sunscreen? We love it here, and it's so
quick. Also, does your son object to wearing a big hat or covering
up a bit more? In my experience, the most easily sunburned spots
are noses and shoulders on kids. If he's wearing a shirt that
covers up his shoulders, perhaps he would agree to just a bit of
sunscreen on his nose?
It's pretty sad that he is prevented from fun activities just
because of sunscreen.
-Christy M.
times that my girls don't get sunburned when I do so easily, and our
skin seems to be about the same in color. If I don't wear a hat, my
head WILL get sunburned if I'm out for more than 30 minutes or so.
My 2 girls have never had sunburned heads. It's kind of a mystery.
Have you tried spray-on sunscreen? We love it here, and it's so
quick. Also, does your son object to wearing a big hat or covering
up a bit more? In my experience, the most easily sunburned spots
are noses and shoulders on kids. If he's wearing a shirt that
covers up his shoulders, perhaps he would agree to just a bit of
sunscreen on his nose?
It's pretty sad that he is prevented from fun activities just
because of sunscreen.
-Christy M.
--- In [email protected], "tutalea" <morten@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I'm a member of the group, but I think this is my first real post.
>
> I'll get right to the point. My son is 4 years old and he
absolutely
> hates sunscreen. Trouble is, he has very light skin, so playing in
the
> sun without being pretected is a big no-no for us.
>
> We do not believe in using force and although we've resorted to it
out
> of sheer frustration and helplessness we hate having to use all
kinds
> of sneaky coercion - you know: "if you put on sunscreen, you'll get
> candy.."
>
> But even that doesn't work, and we are really at wits end.
>
> He spends all time indoors, because everything in his mind is
better
> that sunscreen. But he also really misses doing stuff outside.
> Yesterday he cried, because he couldn't go and feed the ducks by
the
> lake. It's really heartbreaking.
>
> He is a really high-need child, and he has a real temper, which I'm
> sure he gets from me :) But until now we've been able to cope with
any
> obstacle without resorting to questionable tactics - even
toothbrushing.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> thanks for a great group
> Morten, 34
> married to Sisse, 34
> kids: Bjørn, 4 & Falke, 1 (tomorrow :) )
> we live in Denmark, Europe and would love to hear from other
> unschooling parents in our area
>
Sandra Dodd
-=-If those idea's don't work, let him go out anyway! He can learn from
actually getting a sunburn or bring him in when he starts getting red
and show him (not in a "I told you so sort of way"). In the early
morning hours the sun isn't quite as strong, as well as the later
afternoon hours.-=-
A related idea might be to make patterns with sunscreen on his
forearms, maybe (or his back if he's going shirtless) and see whether
it burns where the sunscreen isn't. If it does, he'll see proof. If
it doesn't, mom and dad will see proof.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
actually getting a sunburn or bring him in when he starts getting red
and show him (not in a "I told you so sort of way"). In the early
morning hours the sun isn't quite as strong, as well as the later
afternoon hours.-=-
A related idea might be to make patterns with sunscreen on his
forearms, maybe (or his back if he's going shirtless) and see whether
it burns where the sunscreen isn't. If it does, he'll see proof. If
it doesn't, mom and dad will see proof.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
kacsshultz
We are all super-fair too, and definitely have learned that our kids
will burn from little accidentally exposed patches during infancy or
early toddlerhood (nothing really serious, thankfully).
I would definitely try to think of all the factors in the equation as
flexibly as possible. Is it the middle of the day, okay well then
try to shoot for a shorter outing if your son is amenable to that.
Not possible, then after a little while could you suggest finding a
shady tree to play under and explore with sticks for a while? Our
kids do tend to get too hot and tired of the glare after a while,
likely a natural protective instinct, and we generally try to get to
cover after so much time outside.
If you know he loves loves loves to feed the ducks, how about
breakfast with the ducks? Before the sun gets super hot, and then
you've got some time to meander back home perhaps in time for some
lunch and downtime for him and possibly you.
Can you find some new shady places to play? How about looking for
lightning bugs at night, if he can make it that long. The worst
hours of the day are from 10-2 in most places, maybe 10-4 if you're
in Arizona or the west in some of the hottest places. There is a
whole lot of time to be out there without slathering needed.
We have also experimented with a whole variety of sunscreens and
application methods. At our pool the sprays are hugely popular this
year. I also have seen a little girl who applies her own face stick
(I think it's a Whole Foods brand w/titanium dioxide) so liberally
that it is cute and comical sometimes. If he can understand it and
be in charge, it is soooo much better.
We go swimming every day, but our children are very comfortable going
later in the afternoon and swimming through dinner time. There are
lots of benefits. It's not sunburn time for us, we rarely put on
sunscreen because it's almost always after 3-4pm, and the pool is
much less crowded. We also have a number of kids whose families do
the same thing, so we've got a nice small group of pool friends that
have developed as a result.
The real message is flexible thinking, of course, as it is with all
other unschooling obstacles, but hopefully this as well as the others
will help you to see that there are a lot of positive scenarios that
can develop out of it.
will burn from little accidentally exposed patches during infancy or
early toddlerhood (nothing really serious, thankfully).
I would definitely try to think of all the factors in the equation as
flexibly as possible. Is it the middle of the day, okay well then
try to shoot for a shorter outing if your son is amenable to that.
Not possible, then after a little while could you suggest finding a
shady tree to play under and explore with sticks for a while? Our
kids do tend to get too hot and tired of the glare after a while,
likely a natural protective instinct, and we generally try to get to
cover after so much time outside.
If you know he loves loves loves to feed the ducks, how about
breakfast with the ducks? Before the sun gets super hot, and then
you've got some time to meander back home perhaps in time for some
lunch and downtime for him and possibly you.
Can you find some new shady places to play? How about looking for
lightning bugs at night, if he can make it that long. The worst
hours of the day are from 10-2 in most places, maybe 10-4 if you're
in Arizona or the west in some of the hottest places. There is a
whole lot of time to be out there without slathering needed.
We have also experimented with a whole variety of sunscreens and
application methods. At our pool the sprays are hugely popular this
year. I also have seen a little girl who applies her own face stick
(I think it's a Whole Foods brand w/titanium dioxide) so liberally
that it is cute and comical sometimes. If he can understand it and
be in charge, it is soooo much better.
We go swimming every day, but our children are very comfortable going
later in the afternoon and swimming through dinner time. There are
lots of benefits. It's not sunburn time for us, we rarely put on
sunscreen because it's almost always after 3-4pm, and the pool is
much less crowded. We also have a number of kids whose families do
the same thing, so we've got a nice small group of pool friends that
have developed as a result.
The real message is flexible thinking, of course, as it is with all
other unschooling obstacles, but hopefully this as well as the others
will help you to see that there are a lot of positive scenarios that
can develop out of it.
wisdomalways5
--- In [email protected], "tutalea" <morten@...> wrote:
a decision. I rarely and I mean rarely put sunscreen on my kids or
self because one sunscreen can cause problems and the older formulas
did nothing for cancer only the sunburn.
I look at it this way- we were made to be out in the sun our bodies
need sunlight for vitamin D, no its not good to continually burn but
if you ease into it MOST people will not burn. When I first take my
very light skinned kids out in the summer we stay at the pool for
about a half hour when they "look" pink then we come in after awhile
we can stay longer before turning pink and now they are a healthy
tan (much to my sisters discomfort who puts on sunscreen to go in
the car since sun comes inthe windows).
JulieH
>absolutely
> Hi,
>
> I'm a member of the group, but I think this is my first real post.
>
> I'll get right to the point. My son is 4 years old and he
> hates sunscreen. Trouble is, he has very light skin, so playing inthe
> sun without being pretected is a big no-no for us.out
>
> We do not believe in using force and although we've resorted to it
> of sheer frustration and helplessness we hate having to use allkinds
> of sneaky coercion - you know: "if you put on sunscreen, you'll getbetter
> candy.."
>
> But even that doesn't work, and we are really at wits end.
>
> He spends all time indoors, because everything in his mind is
> that sunscreen. But he also really misses doing stuff outside.the
> Yesterday he cried, because he couldn't go and feed the ducks by
> lake. It's really heartbreaking.any
>
> He is a really high-need child, and he has a real temper, which I'm
> sure he gets from me :) But until now we've been able to cope with
> obstacle without resorting to questionable tactics - eventoothbrushing.
>Trying looking into the harmful effects of SUN SCREEN and then make
> Any ideas?
>
a decision. I rarely and I mean rarely put sunscreen on my kids or
self because one sunscreen can cause problems and the older formulas
did nothing for cancer only the sunburn.
I look at it this way- we were made to be out in the sun our bodies
need sunlight for vitamin D, no its not good to continually burn but
if you ease into it MOST people will not burn. When I first take my
very light skinned kids out in the summer we stay at the pool for
about a half hour when they "look" pink then we come in after awhile
we can stay longer before turning pink and now they are a healthy
tan (much to my sisters discomfort who puts on sunscreen to go in
the car since sun comes inthe windows).
JulieH
Christy Mahoney
When I first take my
to come inside, then I know I'm in big trouble because it will be much
much worse in a couple of hours (and I mean after a couple of hours
being inside). My sunburns seem to take a while to sort of settle in.
And I don't think that being tan is necessarily healthy or that we
were meant to be out in the sun getting tan. I don't mean that we're
meant to stay inside, but as a person with northern European ancestry,
am I meant to move to many different places or live where there's very
very hot weather and intense sunshine? Are very fair skinned people
meant to live in Australia where I've heard they have more cases of
skin cancer than anywhere else?
-Christy M.
> very light skinned kids out in the summer we stay at the pool forWow, this would not work for me at all. If I wait until I look pink
> about a half hour when they "look" pink then we come in after awhile
> we can stay longer before turning pink and now they are a healthy
> tan
to come inside, then I know I'm in big trouble because it will be much
much worse in a couple of hours (and I mean after a couple of hours
being inside). My sunburns seem to take a while to sort of settle in.
And I don't think that being tan is necessarily healthy or that we
were meant to be out in the sun getting tan. I don't mean that we're
meant to stay inside, but as a person with northern European ancestry,
am I meant to move to many different places or live where there's very
very hot weather and intense sunshine? Are very fair skinned people
meant to live in Australia where I've heard they have more cases of
skin cancer than anywhere else?
-Christy M.
Kathleen Whitfield
A couple of things:
First off, you might explore what your son doesn't like about
sunscreen. I have an allergy to many sunscreens, and it's also
really irritating when it gets in my eyes. His anti-sunscreen
reaction seems pretty strong, and he might have a reason for it
that you might not be able to see yet. (When my son was 2 or 3,
he told me he didn't want to eat peanut butter anymore; I didn't
force him to eat it, and it turns out he has a pretty severe allergy
to it now at 11.) It also might be a strong reaction to the daily
hassle/coercion of the application.
Secondly, I wanted to echo what others have said. My four
children are all very blonde and light-skinned. They've never had
sunburns (they've gotten spots of light pink on occasion) and
they don't wear sunscreen every day or every time they go
outside. (I also live in a much sunnier climate than Denmark.)
Sometimes I suggest that they should wear sunscreen. Those
times include days when we're going to the beach or days when
they're going to be in the pool all day. This is probably a few
times a month, maybe 20 days in the whole year.
There have been a number of times when we've been outside all
day at a park, and I've been wearing sunscreen and they have
not been; it's odd when I'm then the one who gets a burn. Unlike
me, they do get tans, which undoubtedly helps protect them
some.
Occasionally, people express surprise that my children have
tans; my theory is that daily application of sunscreen might not
be an ultimately healthy idea. It's not as though it's unusual for
health recommendations to swing back and forth. (There was a
story in Monday's L.A. Times about how enriching breads and
cereals with folic acid in order to prevent neural tube defects
seems to have led to an increase in colon cancer.)
Kathleen
in SoCal, USA
First off, you might explore what your son doesn't like about
sunscreen. I have an allergy to many sunscreens, and it's also
really irritating when it gets in my eyes. His anti-sunscreen
reaction seems pretty strong, and he might have a reason for it
that you might not be able to see yet. (When my son was 2 or 3,
he told me he didn't want to eat peanut butter anymore; I didn't
force him to eat it, and it turns out he has a pretty severe allergy
to it now at 11.) It also might be a strong reaction to the daily
hassle/coercion of the application.
Secondly, I wanted to echo what others have said. My four
children are all very blonde and light-skinned. They've never had
sunburns (they've gotten spots of light pink on occasion) and
they don't wear sunscreen every day or every time they go
outside. (I also live in a much sunnier climate than Denmark.)
Sometimes I suggest that they should wear sunscreen. Those
times include days when we're going to the beach or days when
they're going to be in the pool all day. This is probably a few
times a month, maybe 20 days in the whole year.
There have been a number of times when we've been outside all
day at a park, and I've been wearing sunscreen and they have
not been; it's odd when I'm then the one who gets a burn. Unlike
me, they do get tans, which undoubtedly helps protect them
some.
Occasionally, people express surprise that my children have
tans; my theory is that daily application of sunscreen might not
be an ultimately healthy idea. It's not as though it's unusual for
health recommendations to swing back and forth. (There was a
story in Monday's L.A. Times about how enriching breads and
cereals with folic acid in order to prevent neural tube defects
seems to have led to an increase in colon cancer.)
Kathleen
in SoCal, USA
Morten Holmstrup
i am sisse, mortens wife, and i want to say thank you so much for your
great responses and a lot of food for thought!!
it's funny how, when on this parenting journey of 'unlearning what you
have learnt', some things are easily discarded while others just blind
you completely. i mean, it's easy for me to let him decide whatever he
wants to eat, wear, do, when to sleep etc. but that sunscreen... i just
really bought into the whole "you WILL get cancer if you don't wear
sunscreen" thing. i can't believe i never thought to question the use of
it, rather than just focusing on getting it on him by almost whatever
means necessary :-(
so i'm really glad to hear from so many of you, who have chosen not to
use it! and i'm just so sad that i didn't get to this point myself,
before having put him through these past few days indoors :-(
sure, he might have some sort of reaction to it (although we have tried
several brands) and anyway - if he doesn't want it, he shouldn't have to
do it. you're right, of course, sandra - the whole "we can't go outside"
is force - i can't believe i didn't see that before. well, i did, of
course, but i was completely at a loss, torn between what i thought was
too important to let go and having fun with him :-( i feel so stupid and
cruel right now.
and you're right about being inflexible. i don't know the principles, to
which you refer, but it is blatantly obvious how inflexibility is the
exact opposite of what i want. i guess i just needed someone to say
that.
sandra, i have to say this, too: although everything you said was right,
your first response made me feel extremely bad. it made me feel like i
would never dare ask a question in here again for fear of being shamed.
now, i'm not familiar with the tone, and it might be that this is just
how you talk, and i'm just too sensitive. it might also be that you get
tired of hearing from people, who think they are unschooling but are
mucking it up like this. i know i'm not perfect. i know i do a lot of
things wrong. we are just trying to find our parenting path. it can be
so hard, but we know what we want - we just need to learn how to get
there.
where we live, homeschooling is completely unheard of. i mean, people
think we are insane for even staying at home with the children under the
school age (6 here in denmark)! unschooling is so completely outlandish
that most people don't even understand it even after we explain it. we
know a few families who are choosing a path like ours, but we have
nothing like the kind of network here that groups like this one can
provide.
that is why we came here with our question. we knew that we would get
the kind of answers here, that we needed to get through this and way
beyond. if i had asked someone here in Denmark, i would probably have
been told to just "put it on and stop being stupid, so he can go
outside". your first response was so strong that it made me feel like i
had to defend myself - which is silly, because i saw immediately, that
you were right about everything. i just wish you had said it in a more
inspiring way, instead of making me feel like i'm a horrible parent. it
would have been a shame if we had been scared off completely. please
don't feel like i'm just saying this because i'm mad at you for scolding
me - i just think i need inspiration and guidance a lot more than just
statements of the "you're doing it all wrong!!" nature. makes sense?
SO! i have already talked to bjørn about maybe wearing a little
sunscreen to see if he burns at all but he really hates the idea. but
wearing long sleeves and a hat will do for him, going to the park in the
morning, going to the beach in the late afternoon and all the other
great ideas.
and now i have a 1st birthday to celebrate :-)
sisse
ons, 08 08 2007 kl. 07:37 +0000, skrev Kathleen Whitfield:
great responses and a lot of food for thought!!
it's funny how, when on this parenting journey of 'unlearning what you
have learnt', some things are easily discarded while others just blind
you completely. i mean, it's easy for me to let him decide whatever he
wants to eat, wear, do, when to sleep etc. but that sunscreen... i just
really bought into the whole "you WILL get cancer if you don't wear
sunscreen" thing. i can't believe i never thought to question the use of
it, rather than just focusing on getting it on him by almost whatever
means necessary :-(
so i'm really glad to hear from so many of you, who have chosen not to
use it! and i'm just so sad that i didn't get to this point myself,
before having put him through these past few days indoors :-(
sure, he might have some sort of reaction to it (although we have tried
several brands) and anyway - if he doesn't want it, he shouldn't have to
do it. you're right, of course, sandra - the whole "we can't go outside"
is force - i can't believe i didn't see that before. well, i did, of
course, but i was completely at a loss, torn between what i thought was
too important to let go and having fun with him :-( i feel so stupid and
cruel right now.
and you're right about being inflexible. i don't know the principles, to
which you refer, but it is blatantly obvious how inflexibility is the
exact opposite of what i want. i guess i just needed someone to say
that.
sandra, i have to say this, too: although everything you said was right,
your first response made me feel extremely bad. it made me feel like i
would never dare ask a question in here again for fear of being shamed.
now, i'm not familiar with the tone, and it might be that this is just
how you talk, and i'm just too sensitive. it might also be that you get
tired of hearing from people, who think they are unschooling but are
mucking it up like this. i know i'm not perfect. i know i do a lot of
things wrong. we are just trying to find our parenting path. it can be
so hard, but we know what we want - we just need to learn how to get
there.
where we live, homeschooling is completely unheard of. i mean, people
think we are insane for even staying at home with the children under the
school age (6 here in denmark)! unschooling is so completely outlandish
that most people don't even understand it even after we explain it. we
know a few families who are choosing a path like ours, but we have
nothing like the kind of network here that groups like this one can
provide.
that is why we came here with our question. we knew that we would get
the kind of answers here, that we needed to get through this and way
beyond. if i had asked someone here in Denmark, i would probably have
been told to just "put it on and stop being stupid, so he can go
outside". your first response was so strong that it made me feel like i
had to defend myself - which is silly, because i saw immediately, that
you were right about everything. i just wish you had said it in a more
inspiring way, instead of making me feel like i'm a horrible parent. it
would have been a shame if we had been scared off completely. please
don't feel like i'm just saying this because i'm mad at you for scolding
me - i just think i need inspiration and guidance a lot more than just
statements of the "you're doing it all wrong!!" nature. makes sense?
SO! i have already talked to bjørn about maybe wearing a little
sunscreen to see if he burns at all but he really hates the idea. but
wearing long sleeves and a hat will do for him, going to the park in the
morning, going to the beach in the late afternoon and all the other
great ideas.
and now i have a 1st birthday to celebrate :-)
sisse
ons, 08 08 2007 kl. 07:37 +0000, skrev Kathleen Whitfield:
> A couple of things:
>
> First off, you might explore what your son doesn't like about
> sunscreen. I have an allergy to many sunscreens, and it's also
> really irritating when it gets in my eyes. His anti-sunscreen
> reaction seems pretty strong, and he might have a reason for it
> that you might not be able to see yet. (When my son was 2 or 3,
> he told me he didn't want to eat peanut butter anymore; I didn't
> force him to eat it, and it turns out he has a pretty severe allergy
> to it now at 11.) It also might be a strong reaction to the daily
> hassle/coercion of the application.
>
> Secondly, I wanted to echo what others have said. My four
> children are all very blonde and light-skinned. They've never had
> sunburns (they've gotten spots of light pink on occasion) and
> they don't wear sunscreen every day or every time they go
> outside. (I also live in a much sunnier climate than Denmark.)
> Sometimes I suggest that they should wear sunscreen. Those
> times include days when we're going to the beach or days when
> they're going to be in the pool all day. This is probably a few
> times a month, maybe 20 days in the whole year.
>
> There have been a number of times when we've been outside all
> day at a park, and I've been wearing sunscreen and they have
> not been; it's odd when I'm then the one who gets a burn. Unlike
> me, they do get tans, which undoubtedly helps protect them
> some.
>
> Occasionally, people express surprise that my children have
> tans; my theory is that daily application of sunscreen might not
> be an ultimately healthy idea. It's not as though it's unusual for
> health recommendations to swing back and forth. (There was a
> story in Monday's L.A. Times about how enriching breads and
> cereals with folic acid in order to prevent neural tube defects
> seems to have led to an increase in colon cancer.)
>
> Kathleen
> in SoCal, USA
>
>
>
>
>
Kiersten Pasciak
I try to use sunscreen as little as possible with my kids for many of
the reasons listed. However, I did buy a powder sunscreen for my
daughter when we went on a cruise last year. She was not yet 3 and had
terrible eczema, bad enough that she wore pants no matter how hot as
she would scratch herself raw. Any lotion-y sunscreen burned her. I
found a sunscreen that you apply with a makeup brush that she had no
trouble with and she and my son thought it was fun to put on their
faces. It is called "Colorescience Sunforgettable". You can get it in a
container with an applicator (but it is very expensive IMO) or you can
buy the refill sets which hold twice as much, but come without the
brush (much cheaper). I found them on eBay and the price was reasonable
for me there. This has been a great solution for our family when we are
doing something with more intense sunlight than usual and want a bit of
extra protection.
the reasons listed. However, I did buy a powder sunscreen for my
daughter when we went on a cruise last year. She was not yet 3 and had
terrible eczema, bad enough that she wore pants no matter how hot as
she would scratch herself raw. Any lotion-y sunscreen burned her. I
found a sunscreen that you apply with a makeup brush that she had no
trouble with and she and my son thought it was fun to put on their
faces. It is called "Colorescience Sunforgettable". You can get it in a
container with an applicator (but it is very expensive IMO) or you can
buy the refill sets which hold twice as much, but come without the
brush (much cheaper). I found them on eBay and the price was reasonable
for me there. This has been a great solution for our family when we are
doing something with more intense sunlight than usual and want a bit of
extra protection.
Sandra Dodd
-=-Occasionally, people express surprise that my children have
tans; my theory is that daily application of sunscreen might not
be an ultimately healthy idea. It's not as though it's unusual for
health recommendations to swing back and forth.-=-
Absolutely. Or maybe I'd like to rephrase that to:
It is common for health recommendations to swing back and forth.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
tans; my theory is that daily application of sunscreen might not
be an ultimately healthy idea. It's not as though it's unusual for
health recommendations to swing back and forth.-=-
Absolutely. Or maybe I'd like to rephrase that to:
It is common for health recommendations to swing back and forth.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=-your first response made me feel extremely bad-=-
I'm glad there were other voices that didn't make you feel bad then.
-=-is so completely outlandish
that most people don't even understand it even after we explain it. -=-
It's the same where I am, but I can say "It's like the open classroom
theories from the 70's," and that helps in some cases.
It's very common for parents to disregard the feelings of their
children while magnifying their own feelings. It's a normal human
thing, greatly supported by cultural traditions.
There was a mom on this list or maybe on UnschoolingDiscussion a few
years back who complained bitterly that we had made her cry.
Probably that I had made her cry, but others also agreed with me that
spanking her children was not the best thing to defend. She was
adamant that spanking her children was okay, but when the problems
inherent in her beliefs and practices was pointed out to her, she
cried. We didn't even spank her and she cried! But then she was
angry with the list for making her cry.
No one on this list made you stay inside or tried to force the ideas
on you. If my first priority were to make all the readers of the
list feel comfortable and feel like good moms, the list wouldn't be
as useful and effective as it has been for so many years. My first
priority is to help those moms see what they can change, today, to
make their children's lives more comfortable so they can start making
their children feel more like good children.
-=-your first response made me feel extremely bad-=-
My question has to be whether you felt worse than your son did when
he was told he couldn't go outside and it was his fault.
-=-and you're right about being inflexible. i don't know the
principles, to
which you refer, but it is blatantly obvious how inflexibility is the
exact opposite of what i want. i guess i just needed someone to say
that.-=-
http://sandradodd.com/rules
You had a rule about sunscreen, but maybe you hadn't looked at the
principle behind the rule.
-=-if i had asked someone here in Denmark, i would probably have
been told to just "put it on and stop being stupid, so he can go
outside"-=-
I could get that answer from any of my neighbors here in the U.S., too.
-=-we are just trying to find our parenting path. it can be
so hard, but we know what we want - we just need to learn how to get
there.-=-
I think that page on principles and rules will help a lot!
If you haven't yet seen Joyce's pages, please look at those too:
http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I'm glad there were other voices that didn't make you feel bad then.
-=-is so completely outlandish
that most people don't even understand it even after we explain it. -=-
It's the same where I am, but I can say "It's like the open classroom
theories from the 70's," and that helps in some cases.
It's very common for parents to disregard the feelings of their
children while magnifying their own feelings. It's a normal human
thing, greatly supported by cultural traditions.
There was a mom on this list or maybe on UnschoolingDiscussion a few
years back who complained bitterly that we had made her cry.
Probably that I had made her cry, but others also agreed with me that
spanking her children was not the best thing to defend. She was
adamant that spanking her children was okay, but when the problems
inherent in her beliefs and practices was pointed out to her, she
cried. We didn't even spank her and she cried! But then she was
angry with the list for making her cry.
No one on this list made you stay inside or tried to force the ideas
on you. If my first priority were to make all the readers of the
list feel comfortable and feel like good moms, the list wouldn't be
as useful and effective as it has been for so many years. My first
priority is to help those moms see what they can change, today, to
make their children's lives more comfortable so they can start making
their children feel more like good children.
-=-your first response made me feel extremely bad-=-
My question has to be whether you felt worse than your son did when
he was told he couldn't go outside and it was his fault.
-=-and you're right about being inflexible. i don't know the
principles, to
which you refer, but it is blatantly obvious how inflexibility is the
exact opposite of what i want. i guess i just needed someone to say
that.-=-
http://sandradodd.com/rules
You had a rule about sunscreen, but maybe you hadn't looked at the
principle behind the rule.
-=-if i had asked someone here in Denmark, i would probably have
been told to just "put it on and stop being stupid, so he can go
outside"-=-
I could get that answer from any of my neighbors here in the U.S., too.
-=-we are just trying to find our parenting path. it can be
so hard, but we know what we want - we just need to learn how to get
there.-=-
I think that page on principles and rules will help a lot!
If you haven't yet seen Joyce's pages, please look at those too:
http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Erica Iwamura
I'm wondering if you have tried any other sunscreens? They have the ones
that go on purple (or some other color) and rub in that he may find kind of
fun.. especially if you put it on in patterns like Sandra suggested. We
have found that we prefer the spray on sunscreens (they're a little cold at
first but no yucky hands from putting it on) and they also have sunscreen
sticks that look like big chapstick tubes. (Like the old Bonnie Bell ones
from when we were kids. Remember those?)
Erica
--
They say I'm Crazy but I Have a Good Time - Joe Walsh
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
that go on purple (or some other color) and rub in that he may find kind of
fun.. especially if you put it on in patterns like Sandra suggested. We
have found that we prefer the spray on sunscreens (they're a little cold at
first but no yucky hands from putting it on) and they also have sunscreen
sticks that look like big chapstick tubes. (Like the old Bonnie Bell ones
from when we were kids. Remember those?)
Erica
--
They say I'm Crazy but I Have a Good Time - Joe Walsh
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
wisdomalways5
--- In [email protected], "Christy Mahoney"
<unschooling1@...> wrote:
With all the use of sunscren I would expect that skin cancer would be
LOW and it seems to be higher than a generation ago before they had
sunscreen. Better screening just does not cut it either.
I think that there is a health myth concerning sunscreen and skin
cancer. Some people get skin cancer with or without sunscreen. Some
people smoke their whole lives with NO health problems. some people
eat "healthy" and die of a heart attack, some people do drugs and never
have problems, some people die in the tub or in bed. Should we ban bed
sleeping because some people die in their beds?
There is no PROOF only theories and you have to look at those
critically. How much sun screen use is in Australia and for how many
years? Who were they looking at and how did they document how much sun
they were getting and the kind of sun. How about the kind of sunscreen
and how would they discover if they would have gotten cancer if they
did or did not use sunscreen.
JulieH
<unschooling1@...> wrote:
>ancestry,
> And I don't think that being tan is necessarily healthy or that we
> were meant to be out in the sun getting tan. I don't mean that we're
> meant to stay inside, but as a person with northern European
> am I meant to move to many different places or live where there'svery
> very hot weather and intense sunshine? Are very fair skinned peopleWhat do you think people did before there was "sunscreen" and "cancer"?
> meant to live in Australia where I've heard they have more cases of
> skin cancer than anywhere else?
>
> -Christy M.
>
With all the use of sunscren I would expect that skin cancer would be
LOW and it seems to be higher than a generation ago before they had
sunscreen. Better screening just does not cut it either.
I think that there is a health myth concerning sunscreen and skin
cancer. Some people get skin cancer with or without sunscreen. Some
people smoke their whole lives with NO health problems. some people
eat "healthy" and die of a heart attack, some people do drugs and never
have problems, some people die in the tub or in bed. Should we ban bed
sleeping because some people die in their beds?
There is no PROOF only theories and you have to look at those
critically. How much sun screen use is in Australia and for how many
years? Who were they looking at and how did they document how much sun
they were getting and the kind of sun. How about the kind of sunscreen
and how would they discover if they would have gotten cancer if they
did or did not use sunscreen.
JulieH
diana jenner
On 8/7/07, Christy Mahoney <unschooling1@...> wrote:
actually turn tan, alas it's a dark beige in my most active summers ::g::)
than to rely upon remembering sunscreen for every single time I'm exposed to
the sun. When I've got some base color to my skin, I can spend short spans
of time (up to a couple of hours) in the sun without risk of horrible
sunburn. I'm from and in South Dakota & spent 9 years in SoCal. I burned far
worse as a kid in SD (under my parent's care) than I ever did in CA
(independently)!
I was vigilant about Hayden and the sun when he was young as he was SO fair
as a baby. We found sunscreen he liked (we really like those sticks!),
floppy hats, long sleeves and even a little pop-up tent when he was really
small. When he was three, he went out without "protection" for the first
time. In just an hour, he began to tan. Even though his winter color may
match mine, his summer color is closer to that of his dad and sister! Now,
he's soon 9, we talk about ways to avoid damage, especially to the nose and
shoulders -- usually with physical protection, not chemical. He has yet to
be sunburned.
--
~diana :)
xoxoxoxo
hannahbearski.blogspot.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>For me, it's FAR more healthy that I have a "beige" (oh, I wish I could
>
> And I don't think that being tan is necessarily healthy or that we
> were meant to be out in the sun getting tan. I don't mean that we're
> meant to stay inside, but as a person with northern European ancestry,
> am I meant to move to many different places or live where there's very
> very hot weather and intense sunshine?
>
>
>
actually turn tan, alas it's a dark beige in my most active summers ::g::)
than to rely upon remembering sunscreen for every single time I'm exposed to
the sun. When I've got some base color to my skin, I can spend short spans
of time (up to a couple of hours) in the sun without risk of horrible
sunburn. I'm from and in South Dakota & spent 9 years in SoCal. I burned far
worse as a kid in SD (under my parent's care) than I ever did in CA
(independently)!
I was vigilant about Hayden and the sun when he was young as he was SO fair
as a baby. We found sunscreen he liked (we really like those sticks!),
floppy hats, long sleeves and even a little pop-up tent when he was really
small. When he was three, he went out without "protection" for the first
time. In just an hour, he began to tan. Even though his winter color may
match mine, his summer color is closer to that of his dad and sister! Now,
he's soon 9, we talk about ways to avoid damage, especially to the nose and
shoulders -- usually with physical protection, not chemical. He has yet to
be sunburned.
--
~diana :)
xoxoxoxo
hannahbearski.blogspot.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Amy
Well I'm sorry I can't find where I read it, but recently I read you
should get 20 minutes of sun 3 times a day to get adequate vitamin D
to help prevent some cancers, diabetes, MS, depression and maybe some
other stuff.
I don't think being overly tan is the healthiest thing, but I don't
think avoiding the sun is healthy either. It's like candy and tv and
everything else; a person might think these are not healthy, but
neither are control and force. (I'm so thankful to this group for
helping me understand some things are worse than red dye or
commercials.)
I don't use sunscreen so when we overdo in the sun I put on coconut
oil. If I'm really burnt I do it often. Another article I can't
find right now was actually a study about healing wounds in AIDS
patients, where they found that coconut oil worked best. I use it a
lot, I really reccommend reading about it. My dd hates to have
anything put on her so if I'm really worried I put it on her when
she's sleeping.
~Amy
--- In [email protected], "diana jenner" <hahamommy@...>
wrote:
should get 20 minutes of sun 3 times a day to get adequate vitamin D
to help prevent some cancers, diabetes, MS, depression and maybe some
other stuff.
I don't think being overly tan is the healthiest thing, but I don't
think avoiding the sun is healthy either. It's like candy and tv and
everything else; a person might think these are not healthy, but
neither are control and force. (I'm so thankful to this group for
helping me understand some things are worse than red dye or
commercials.)
I don't use sunscreen so when we overdo in the sun I put on coconut
oil. If I'm really burnt I do it often. Another article I can't
find right now was actually a study about healing wounds in AIDS
patients, where they found that coconut oil worked best. I use it a
lot, I really reccommend reading about it. My dd hates to have
anything put on her so if I'm really worried I put it on her when
she's sleeping.
~Amy
--- In [email protected], "diana jenner" <hahamommy@...>
wrote:
>we're
> On 8/7/07, Christy Mahoney <unschooling1@...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > And I don't think that being tan is necessarily healthy or that we
> > were meant to be out in the sun getting tan. I don't mean that
> > meant to stay inside, but as a person with northern Europeanancestry,
> > am I meant to move to many different places or live where there'svery
> > very hot weather and intense sunshine?could
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> For me, it's FAR more healthy that I have a "beige" (oh, I wish I
> actually turn tan, alas it's a dark beige in my most activesummers ::g::)
> than to rely upon remembering sunscreen for every single time I'mexposed to
> the sun. When I've got some base color to my skin, I can spendshort spans
> of time (up to a couple of hours) in the sun without risk ofhorrible
> sunburn. I'm from and in South Dakota & spent 9 years in SoCal. Iburned far
> worse as a kid in SD (under my parent's care) than I ever did in CASO fair
> (independently)!
> I was vigilant about Hayden and the sun when he was young as he was
> as a baby. We found sunscreen he liked (we really like thosesticks!),
> floppy hats, long sleeves and even a little pop-up tent when he wasreally
> small. When he was three, he went out without "protection" for thefirst
> time. In just an hour, he began to tan. Even though his wintercolor may
> match mine, his summer color is closer to that of his dad andsister! Now,
> he's soon 9, we talk about ways to avoid damage, especially to thenose and
> shoulders -- usually with physical protection, not chemical. He hasyet to
> be sunburned.
> --
> ~diana :)
> xoxoxoxo
> hannahbearski.blogspot.com
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
beanmommy2
--- In [email protected], "wisdomalways5"
<wisdom1133@...> wrote:
Well, let me tell you ...
I NEVER knew about this until I was diagnosed with it several months
ago. There is an incurable disease called Lupus which is activated
and triggered by ANY kind of sun exposure -- in the winter, on a
cloudy day, whatever.
I have to wear special-order, expensive sunblock at all times, no
matter what the weather is like or whether or not I'm in the shade.
Regular sunscreen that you can get at the drugstore is not
sufficient. Not taking this precaution regularly can actually cause
damage to my internal organs (some of which I've already experienced.)
Thirty years Lupus was a death sentence. If this were the sixties, it
would be very unlikely that I would live to even see any of my kids
become teenagers.
Sooo ... this morning, when I was smearing this yucky, white,
expensive goop all over me just so I could take the trash out to the
curb, I was thinking, "This is a pain, but I am SOO glad it exists,
because otherwise I would either a)almost NEVER be able to go
outside; and/or b)be very very ill.
So I am very grateful that these products exist!
I realize this is not the original point of this thread, and probably
nobody else here (or their kids) have Lupus, but I thought someone
might be interested in hearing this.
Jenny
<wisdom1133@...> wrote:
> What do you think people did before there was "sunscreen"and "cancer"?
Well, let me tell you ...
I NEVER knew about this until I was diagnosed with it several months
ago. There is an incurable disease called Lupus which is activated
and triggered by ANY kind of sun exposure -- in the winter, on a
cloudy day, whatever.
I have to wear special-order, expensive sunblock at all times, no
matter what the weather is like or whether or not I'm in the shade.
Regular sunscreen that you can get at the drugstore is not
sufficient. Not taking this precaution regularly can actually cause
damage to my internal organs (some of which I've already experienced.)
Thirty years Lupus was a death sentence. If this were the sixties, it
would be very unlikely that I would live to even see any of my kids
become teenagers.
Sooo ... this morning, when I was smearing this yucky, white,
expensive goop all over me just so I could take the trash out to the
curb, I was thinking, "This is a pain, but I am SOO glad it exists,
because otherwise I would either a)almost NEVER be able to go
outside; and/or b)be very very ill.
So I am very grateful that these products exist!
I realize this is not the original point of this thread, and probably
nobody else here (or their kids) have Lupus, but I thought someone
might be interested in hearing this.
Jenny
wisdomalways5
--- In [email protected], "beanmommy2" <beanmommy2@...>
wrote:
process it correctly or something? I do not know what lupus is so I
guess I will look it up and find out. Thanks
My comment did lack the point that lots of people have died as a
result of not having the medical knowledge we have now and while I
understand that there are some "medical" things that are theory and not
proof and things we need to critically look at
JulieH
wrote:
>That is amazing. So lupus is triggered by sun exposure- like you do not
> ago. There is an incurable disease called Lupus which is activated
> and triggered by ANY kind of sun exposure -- in the winter, on a
> cloudy day, whatever.
>
>
process it correctly or something? I do not know what lupus is so I
guess I will look it up and find out. Thanks
My comment did lack the point that lots of people have died as a
result of not having the medical knowledge we have now and while I
understand that there are some "medical" things that are theory and not
proof and things we need to critically look at
JulieH
beanmommy2
--- In [email protected], "wisdomalways5"
<wisdom1133@...> wrote:
It's an autoimmune disease that mostly strikes females. Nobody knows
what causes it and there's no cure. Interestingly, it's possibly
triggered by stress, and I started having symptoms about a month
after my daughter spent three weeks in the ICU (for another
autoimmune disease.)
What happens is that for some reason the body gets confused, and
instead of (or really, in addition to) killing things like germs and
foreign objects, like a healthy body would, it thinks that things
like your kidneys, lungs, joints, skin, etc, are foreign objects that
need to be destroyed.
[My daughter, who is now perfectly cured, had autoimmune hemolytic
anemia, which meant her body was literally destroying all her red
blood cells. Every four hours or so she would get another
transfusion, only to have it gone again within a few hours.]
The slightest UVA or UVA rays makes those antibodies flare up -- and
yes, that includes rainy days or even fluorescent lights!
Anyone who is interested in discussing any of this more is free to e-
mail me. I imagine this is probably something I should take off the
list at this point.
Jenny
<wisdom1133@...> wrote:
> > ago. There is an incurable disease called Lupus which isactivated
> > and triggered by ANY kind of sun exposure -- in the winter, on anot
> > cloudy day, whatever.
> That is amazing. So lupus is triggered by sun exposure- like you do
> process it correctly or something? I do not know what lupus is so II had no idea what Lupus was til I was told I had it.
> guess I will look it up and find out. Thanks
It's an autoimmune disease that mostly strikes females. Nobody knows
what causes it and there's no cure. Interestingly, it's possibly
triggered by stress, and I started having symptoms about a month
after my daughter spent three weeks in the ICU (for another
autoimmune disease.)
What happens is that for some reason the body gets confused, and
instead of (or really, in addition to) killing things like germs and
foreign objects, like a healthy body would, it thinks that things
like your kidneys, lungs, joints, skin, etc, are foreign objects that
need to be destroyed.
[My daughter, who is now perfectly cured, had autoimmune hemolytic
anemia, which meant her body was literally destroying all her red
blood cells. Every four hours or so she would get another
transfusion, only to have it gone again within a few hours.]
The slightest UVA or UVA rays makes those antibodies flare up -- and
yes, that includes rainy days or even fluorescent lights!
Anyone who is interested in discussing any of this more is free to e-
mail me. I imagine this is probably something I should take off the
list at this point.
Jenny
Gold Standard
>>Another article I can'tSince we have both coconut oil AND illness added to this thread, I feel
>>find right now was actually a study about healing wounds in AIDS
>>patients, where they found that coconut oil worked best.<<
compelled to add that organic virgin coconut oil is a major anti-viral.
According to dh who is a physician who typically only engages in medicine
that makes sense and works, which often turns out to be more holistic
medicine, organic virgin coconut oil has irradiated HIV in some people, as
well as other "incurable" viruses. The initial discovery happened in Hawaii
when two AIDS patients became virus-free, and researchers worked to see what
they had in common (daily use of organic coconut oil). Since then, lots more
research has happened that has shown the strong anti-viral power of organic
coconut oil. The reason we don't hear more about it is because most of what
is brought to us by the media and medical community are drugs that make
pharmaceutical companies money, and a natural substance such as coconut oil
is not patentable and therefore can not make them enough money. 'Nother
story entirely.
All four of my kids have Epstein Barre Syndrome, which is when the mono
virus reactivates on and off, usually sparked when over-tired or stressed,
making them really sick. It is very similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Epstein Barre is labeled "incurable" with no good treatment options.
My son would get really sick, like 104-degree-fever-for-7-days-straight
sick, once a month for three years. When he was finally diagnosed correctly,
dh had just discovered the research on organic coconut oil and ds took it
orally daily. That first "dose" was four years ago, and he has been
symptom-free since.
Just thought I'd share, since it's all connected :o) If anyone wants more of
our info (lots online as well), feel free to email me offlist.
Thanks,
Jacki
Amy
Jackie,
Thank you. Your post was much more coherant than mine. I had read
some of those studies but was too tired to find any references to
include. It is important that it's organic virgin cocnut oil. I
gave my aunt a little jar of it after knee surgery and her scar
healed beautifully. We put it in smoothies and I use it like
lotion. I feel it's worth the expense.
Thanks again,
Amy
--- In [email protected], "Gold Standard" <jacki@...>
wrote:
Thank you. Your post was much more coherant than mine. I had read
some of those studies but was too tired to find any references to
include. It is important that it's organic virgin cocnut oil. I
gave my aunt a little jar of it after knee surgery and her scar
healed beautifully. We put it in smoothies and I use it like
lotion. I feel it's worth the expense.
Thanks again,
Amy
--- In [email protected], "Gold Standard" <jacki@...>
wrote:
>feel
>
> >>Another article I can't
> >>find right now was actually a study about healing wounds in AIDS
> >>patients, where they found that coconut oil worked best.<<
>
> Since we have both coconut oil AND illness added to this thread, I
> compelled to add that organic virgin coconut oil is a major anti-viral.
> According to dh who is a physician who typically only engages inmedicine
> that makes sense and works, which often turns out to be moreholistic
> medicine, organic virgin coconut oil has irradiated HIV in somepeople, as
> well as other "incurable" viruses. The initial discovery happenedin Hawaii
> when two AIDS patients became virus-free, and researchers worked tosee what
> they had in common (daily use of organic coconut oil). Since then,lots more
> research has happened that has shown the strong anti-viral power oforganic
> coconut oil. The reason we don't hear more about it is because mostof what
> is brought to us by the media and medical community are drugs thatmake
> pharmaceutical companies money, and a natural substance such ascoconut oil
> is not patentable and therefore can not make them enoughmoney. 'Nother
> story entirely.mono
>
> All four of my kids have Epstein Barre Syndrome, which is when the
> virus reactivates on and off, usually sparked when over-tired orstressed,
> making them really sick. It is very similar to Chronic FatigueSyndrome.
> Epstein Barre is labeled "incurable" with no good treatment options.straight
>
> My son would get really sick, like 104-degree-fever-for-7-days-
> sick, once a month for three years. When he was finally diagnosedcorrectly,
> dh had just discovered the research on organic coconut oil and dstook it
> orally daily. That first "dose" was four years ago, and he has beenwants more of
> symptom-free since.
>
> Just thought I'd share, since it's all connected :o) If anyone
> our info (lots online as well), feel free to email me offlist.
>
> Thanks,
> Jacki
>
Gold Standard
-organic virgin coconut oil has irradiated HIV in some people-
I let spellcheck change my "eradicated" to "irradiated" cuz I started the
word with an "i".
Eradicated. The oil eradicated the virus.
Thanks,
Jacki
I let spellcheck change my "eradicated" to "irradiated" cuz I started the
word with an "i".
Eradicated. The oil eradicated the virus.
Thanks,
Jacki
cecegary
Just wanted to throw this out there... if you follow a diet based on
your blood type, you may want to check to see if coconut oil is
beneficial or harmful for you (it's not good for type B) before you
go slathering yourself in it. For some people, ingesting it (whether
orally or through your skin) can do you more harm than good.
Chelsea
your blood type, you may want to check to see if coconut oil is
beneficial or harmful for you (it's not good for type B) before you
go slathering yourself in it. For some people, ingesting it (whether
orally or through your skin) can do you more harm than good.
Chelsea
--- In [email protected], "Amy" <amylizkid1@...> wrote:
>
> Jackie,
>
> Thank you. Your post was much more coherant than mine. I had read
> some of those studies but was too tired to find any references to
> include. It is important that it's organic virgin cocnut oil. I
> gave my aunt a little jar of it after knee surgery and her scar
> healed beautifully. We put it in smoothies and I use it like
> lotion. I feel it's worth the expense.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Amy