Many metro Atlantans dislike the term HOTlanta. I actually think it's rather fitting. In the summer months, we go about our daily lives on a lot of pavement and concrete with temperatures usually in the 90s and humidity measuring at least 50%. We do not have sea breezes or frequent cooling rain. When it does rain? It doesn't seem to cool; we just receive more humidity when most of us were already melting. It's hot and it's Atlanta... so why not? HOTlanta is as good a term as any.
For most of June, July, and August, we tend to stay indoors. If the humidity gives us a bit of a break, we often venture out for some playground or neighborhood fun once the sun dips behind the houses and/or trees. But year-round, when we are outside (often at the water park or pool), I ensure that my family is protected from the bright southern sunshine. I keep my family protected with sunscreen, like one of the many varieties of Banana Boat, as often as I can.I had to train myself to remember sunscreen. And frankly, I did not focus on it as much on it before kids. But with Amelia's young skin and now Andrew's, I try to ensure their "safety coating" as much as possible. We often do not know the sun damage we face until decades later, so protection now is very important to me.
We have a very on-the-go lifestyle, and I often do not have much advance notice when we may be outdoors. It could be a knock at the door from neighbor friends, a spur-of-the-moment stop at the playground, soccer practice, a school or camp activity, or maybe a special day out to one of Atlanta's family attractions. For a while, I repeatedly forgot the sunscreen. I forgot it way too often. But now I have a no-excuses solution: sunscreen everywhere!
I keep a sample size sunscreen in the car.
A Banana Boat sunscreen stick in the diaper bag (or purse).
A lotion or mist sunscreen in the garage and the house.
Oh - and one in our swimming bag as well.
Wherever we go, we can almost guarantee that some sunscreen has tagged along with us. I really have no excuse to forget it!
I do my part to ensure sun protection is within reach most anywhere I go. Banana Boat does theirs by offering many different products and varieties. There really is a product for everyone, including the Banana Boat Sport Performance Ultra Mist spray which is perfect for the sporty types. It has several SPF varieities from 15 to 100 and a lightweight feel on the skin.
How do you remember to protect yourself and your family when outdoors?
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