We covered this topic a bit in the last issue of Her Times, but...for those of you who missed it -- or skipped the sunscreen article altogether, I thought I'd pass along these Mom-friendly sunscreen tips for the kids.

First, I have a confession, when it comes to slathering sunscreen on my kids, I admit that I've been a slacker -- I just hate putting that sticky crap all over my fingers and they hated me rubbing it all in and they especially hated it on their face. I put it on them, but I wasn't as vigilant about it as I should've been. And, I never put it on myself (except for my face).

Then, last year, a girlfriend turned me onto continuous spray sunscreen. It's not cheap -- you won't find it for less than $6.88 and, really, it doesn't last all that long, but it is worth every single penny. I'm not talking about the pump sprays -- I've always found those to be a pain...they clog and they spray droplets (which you then have to rub in). The continuous spray suncreens are aerosal and they're wonderful! No jamming, no clogging, no dripping down your arm as you pump or sore finger from pressing the pump -- just a quick, easy way to coat a kid in seconds.

Several manufacturers make this continuous spray sunscreen now and you can buy one in a 50 spf for kids. It goes on kind of wet...so the kids will need to give it a few seconds to dry and I wouldn't reccomend spraying it in their face (I've got a tip for that, though...keep reading). I love this stuff. Even I have started wearing sunscreen because this is so easy to use. If you're wondering how well it works, well...over Memorial Day weekend -- on one of those really, hot sunny days we enjoyed -- I coated the family with it and then we spent 5 hours in the afternoon sun at Presque Isle, sitting on the beach, splashing in the cold water. None of us got so much as a tan line (and I did not re-apply because I forgot to bring it with us).

OK...now, for the face: This is a tip from my friend, Lisa S., who told me she uses a solid sunscreen stick (they look like big glue sticks) on her daughter's face. She just rubs the stick all over her cheeks, nose, chin, forehead. I bought a stick the next day & darned if it doesn't work perfectly! No fuss, no muss, no drips, no wet spray or cold lotion.

So, there you have it...pick up some continuous spray sunscreen & solid sunscreen stick and your kids will thank you when they have beautiful skin at 40.