Is it hot where you live?!?! Boy, it is going to be crazy hot in Kentucky for the next 7 days. I cringe when I see 100+ temperatures in the forecast. Needless to say, it is almost too hot to even swim, so we are going to be spending a lot of time indoors. I guess I am going to be searching for some fun and cool indoor activities! The time we spend outdoors is going to be limited and include lots of water and sunscreen.

I will be the first to admit I am almost obsessive about sunscreen (does this surprise anyone)! I have fair skin and I burn really easy. I have had my share of sunburns, which makes me extra vigilant with Bug (my daughter). I am thankful her skin does not burn quite like mine, but maybe that is because she looks like a zinc-oxide snowman when we go outside (which I am okay with)!

As an obsessed sunscreen momma, I was shocked when I heard about a news story making headlines this week. A mom in Washington had to rush her two daughters to the ER, after they came home from school burnt. The two girls were outside the majority of the day and suffered severe burns. The mom admits (and regrets) she did not applying sunscreen to her daughters before school. However, the girl’s school district also has a policy that says sunscreen can’t be applied (during the day) without a physician’s note. The district cites liability with allergies and additives. The policy is also a result in the crackdown on over-the-counter medications. Sunscreen is lumped into the “over-the-counter” medication category.

All I can say is…WHAT?!?!?! I didn’t know such restrictions existed in school. I would think that schools would want to promote healthy sun habits by promoting sunscreen use. The mom in this story has received some criticism for not being more proactive, but I understand her not wanting to break the rules.

One good thing that has happen as a result of this unfortunate story is more schools are looking at their sunscreen policies. Like I mentioned before, most schools have these policies because of allergy fears. Many doctors agree sunscreen allergies are very rare. Another reason is the fear of a teacher having to touch a child and apply sunscreen. Apparently, California is the only state that doesn’t require a doctor’s note to bring sunscreen to school. I was shocked by this! I know at my daughter’s school, they encourage sunscreen use. I usually apply it before she heads to school and then they will reapply it before they go out in the afternoon.

So what is your child’s school policy on sunscreen? Do you even know what it is (because I sure don’t)? Do you think it is fair for sunscreen to be classified as "over-the-counter"? Also, do you put sunscreen on your child before school or do they carry it with them?

If you are looking for some great resources about sun protection and sunscreen you can visit www.sunsafetyforkids.org .

Hope you guys stay cool and safe during this heat wave!