Sunscreen nightmare!

DS freaks when I apply sunscreen. Only thing I hate about this time of year. He has to get it on before school too b.c they take them outside. I'm lucky he tans well and doesn't burn b.c I feel half the time I don't get to apply it all over.

I get him ready and he screams as I apply then asks to wipe off hysterical. Sets the tome for when we are about to go outside to play. He gets so happy to go out and then bam... Sunscreen and he's hysterical, whines, cries, etc. Then he's in a bad mood. I hate to do it before his bus b.c then I don't want him to freak and not go to school where he goes for the ESY program.

Any help? Ideas? Even if a toddler next to him I'd getting it on and fine he screams. I always tell people just b.c someone his age is doing it it has no effect on DS. Doesn't eat next to another kid eating, freaks with sunscreen, will watch another kid go to the potty and he still doesn't care.

Sunscreen nightmare!

Does he put lotion on at night or after a bath? If he does just tell him its lotion and maybe that will work. What I had to do with DD with a ton of things is make up a game or a song to do it. Like if I was doing suntan lotion id make up a silly song about all the body parts or if I was trying to get her to eat something I'd make a game out of it so it would take her mind off the actual thing I was was trying to do. I'll admit, I'd look like a fool and people looked at me funny singing songs at the beach but at least she wasn't screaming. You just need to try a bunch of different things to see what will work with DS so he can tolerate it. Maybe try the spray if he doesn't mind that.

As far as the other stuff, it'll come. DD didn't even notice kids in her class until this year and now she can't get enough of them. And the potty is always a hassle. She wasn't potty trained until kindergarten and that took a while with the help of some excellent teachers. She just didn't care to learn or want to do it.

Every day is a struggle and once something gets better something else pops up. Just take one day at a time and it will get better. : )

Sunscreen nightmare!

how long do they go outside for at school? I never put sunscreen on my child before school. They were only out for 20 minutes, and my kid doesn't really burn. I say pick your battles. If its 20 minutes, I wouldn't bother.

Sunscreen nightmare!

For us, during the regular school year they are only out for about 20 minutes or so and your right, I don't put on sunblock but for ESY they are outside a ton. They do morning walks, work in a garden, play outside and do "science" experiments out side almost every day. They also do alot of walking field trips where they are outside too so in the summer I definitely lather her up! : ).

Re: Sunscreen nightmare!

What about trying the sprays or sticks, and having him do it himself. I let my kids have the stick and they do their own faces and ears. It lets them "own" part of the routine. It might be messy at first, but it might ease the situation.

ETA I think they also make sunscreen wipes. Maybe he hates the feel of the lotion?

Message edited 7/23/2012 8:17:23 PM.

Re: Sunscreen nightmare!

Thank you all for the responses. The wipes may be the best b.c he doesn't mind them. Only thing is not sure if he'd want it all over. I'll try spray tan too. Whatever works and fast.
Not sure how long they go out. If we are just in the back and he wants to do water table I don't bothe b.c it's all in the shade and like. A PP said he also tans nicely like his father.

Sunscreen nightmare!

Avon makes a blue sunscreen/bug spray/cream combo. When it's rubbed it, the color goes away. Maybe when the color goes away he will think its off him?