This post is sponsored by Neutrogena as part of an influencer activation for The Motherhood. All points of view and opinions are my own.
Have you heard the term “mommy see, mommy do?” Children are master imitators. They like to imitate everything they see around them. For example, when my children were younger, my son liked to ‘pretend’ cook with me in the kitchen, while my daughter enjoyed waking around in my high heels.
Imitation is important and vital to a child’s development. So one of the things I have done to ‘tap into this power of influence’ is instill in my children the importance of wearing sunscreen on a daily basis. Whether visiting an outdoor aquarium, going horseback riding or swimming at the lake, my children know they need to lather up and protect themselves from the sun’s rays.
Since we have a long history of skin cancer in my family – including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma – I am quite familiar with this topic. However, despite all we know about sun protection, skin cancer continues to be a health epidemic in the U.S. In California alone, melanoma rates have increased 36% in the past 10 years. I know this statistic all too well. My aunt passed away from melanoma three years ago.
How To Talk To Your Children About Skin Health
So how do you teach your children about skin health? By simply opening the conversation. This year Neutrogena® is leading the way to start the sun protection conversation through a comical campaign called #MimicMommy starring Kristen Bell. The goal of #MimicMommy is to rallying moms to use sunscreen in front of their children to demonstrate the importance of daily sunscreen use. Generally speaking, children are more likely to adopt healthy habits, like applying sunscreen, if they see their mothers use it too.
It’s important to note that research has shown that having even one or two bad sunburns as a child, can almost double your risk of getting skin cancer as an adult. So adopting this healthy behavior change early on, can help reduce your child’s chances of developing skin cancer later in life.
For inspiration on the topic watch Neutorgena’s new #MimicMommy video called “The Talk” – a hilarious look at how Kristen Bell starts the conversation around this topic and sets a sun safe example for her children.
Now when you share the video (http://bit.ly/1X0YRrF) using hashtag #MimicMommy, Neutrogena® will donate $1 to the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation – a non-profit, educational organization committed to preventing skin cancer through comprehensive sun safety and melanoma awareness programs. Make sure to also tag them on social media using @Neutrogena.
I recently had a talk with my children too about the importance of skin health. My son’s reaction to the conversation was pretty funny!
Preferably, I like to use to Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face + Body Stick Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70 and Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 70+ for my family.
Their weightless and non-shiny formula stick is great for those hard to reach places like your neck and back.
Furthermore, their ‘specifically formulated spray to work on wet skin’ is good for your arms and legs. Both products can be found at Neutrogena.com and work quite well.
SoCal Field Trips #MimicMommy Facebook Giveaway!
Now here’s your chance to win a #MimicMommy Neutrogena product package brought to you by SoCal Field Trips! To enter, simply post a funny picture or video of you putting sunscreen on your child on SoCal Field Trips’ Facebook page. Please make sure to also use #MimicMommy when posting. One winner will be selected via random.com on June 18.
I can’t wait to see the pictures of you and your little bambino practicing sun-safety together! In the meantime, visit Neutrogena on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to learn more about skin health!
Happy Summer!
Jilleen