Do kids need sunglasses?

I recently went on a trip to a state that had a climate much warmer than mine. Also, I live in a valley at only about 200 feet above sea level where our destination was over 4000 feet above sea level. It being the peak of summer, family warned me that my kids would need sunglasses, hats and other protective gear. I regret to say that I didn't take them seriously, either for my kids or myself. In my climate, a few hours of sun exposure warrants nothing more than SPF 30, if that. In this distant state, three hours in the shade earned me heat exhaustion and a severe sunburn to both my skin and eyes. My kids whom I lathered with good sunscreen suffered only mind sunburns and when that heat exhaustion took me, I was watching them play the pool so they escaped that as well.

What was my error? Why didn't I listen and do things like sunglasses, sunscreen and hats really protect us from the sun's harmful rays? After this devastating event, as I can no longer tolerate warm temperatures for any amount of time without suffering a severe headache, I did some research. We all know sunlight hitting directly on your skin or eyes can cause a burn, which can be anything from a slight redness to the skin to big water filled blisters that can cause scaring. Burns to your eyes can cause them to be sensitive, and sore. In severe cases causing temporary or even permanent blindness. Long-term effects to both your skin and eyes can be unsightly permanent discoloration and growths, even cancer, but sitting by the pool for 3 hours?

It only takes 15 minutes of sun expose for the skin and eyes to burn. Simply walking from the car to the shade a few times can be enough in extreme weather. This climate was so much harsher than my own with its extreme heat, humidity, and high elevation, which made us closer to the sun, that those 3 hours were enough. After that day the rest of our weeklong trip was spent slathered in sunscreen, behind sunglasses and, believe it or not, under long sleeved shirts and long pants. In that extreme weather, we actually stayed cooler and with our skin and eyes protected had a much more enjoyable time.

Taking care of our health is something that starts in childhood. The damage our bodies acquire at a young age, compounding as the years go by. Children do need as much sun protection as we can give them, as their little developing bodies are more sensitive to harsh elements. Start young and teach your kids that while it is fun to play in the sun, we need to protect ourselves while we do it, just like wearing a helmet while bike riding or a seatbelt in the car.

A few clicks at a kids sunglass wholesaler's website and few dollars would have saved me quite the headache … and those that followed. Next time I will be prepared and know just where to go to get what I need at a price my budget can afford.