Keep them covered up
Make sure your kids use the summer to maintain their health
EVEN children have an opinion on how they want to look. If you’ve been lucky, your toddler or young child will let you do his/her hair and dress them the way, in your opinion, looks best. But if you have a child with their own ideas, which isn’t a bad thing, then heaven help you if you try to change their mind! Children should be children and I don’t advocate being obsessed with one’s looks at too young an age but media, marketing and peer group influences are hard to avoid and inevitably some children want this particular hairstyle or that particular pair of jeans. Don’t even get me started on the subject of mobile phones!
While it is healthy to set a good example to our children by showing them it is desirable to look after oneself through good nutrition, basic cleanliness, hygiene and grooming, we should try and make them aware that aiming to look like they’re 17 (too sexy or with too much make-up on) is not necessary (good luck with this one). Of course, every child is different and should be encouraged or allowed to find their own style as some are more into these older looks than others.
Here’s our list for summer so your kids can feel healthy and look good:
Avoid fizzy drinks Just because it’s hot, that shouldn’t be licence for kids to guzzle cold fizzies. They are full of nasty toxins and chemicals and truckloads of sugar. Choosing diet varieties is not healthier as they contain aspartame or other undesirable chemicals to replace sugar.
Sleep Now that children and parents don’t have to wake up at an ungodly hour to get ready for school (why do they start so early in Cyprus?!), kids can catch up on sleep. Going to bed at one or two in the morning will kind of defeat the object so they should try and have an early-ish bedtime at least four times a week.
Sun Protection: It is very important to teach youngsters to apply sun cream to nose, cheeks and forehead if playing out in the sun. If at the beach or pool, to apply also to chest, shoulders, upper arms and legs. Wearing a thin light coloured t-shirt and hat is preferable especially if they have fair skin. Try to use organic or natural products as they are far superior as far as your kids’ health is concerned. Korres, Jurlique and Green People are three excellent brands for sun creams that I know of in Cyprus.
Hair Kids don’t suffer with dry hair problems as much as adults, so protection in the strong sun isn’t usually necessary. If your youngster does have very dry, curly or unruly hair apply a really rich conditioner or olive oil and leave for half an hour before washing out. Again, try and use natural or organic products as much as possible. As far as getting a decent haircut for kids is concerned, visit Tony & Guy, they always come up trumps when it comes to really listening to what the customer (or their mother) wants. They are very good with difficult hair too, as I found out when I took my daughter a couple of months back. They have some wonderful hair products for us grown ups too.
Skin Care I don’t believe that children should apply too many products to their skin, unless necessary. Their skin doesn’t need it as young skin is well able to look after itself. Of course, the exception to this is the use of sun protection or skin preparations needed for dermatological problems. Why bombard their bodies with all manner of chemicals at a young age? If, however, you have a teenager with skin problems, encourage them to use a mild face wash, again organic would be ideal, every night and maybe a mild toner and moisturiser if necessary. Jurlique’s face wash is amazing and lasts forever. Green People moisturisers are light and not too pricey.
Teeth Whatever one’s age, teeth are so important to good health and looks. This is one area of their appearance that children should care about. Looking after teeth now will pay dividends later in life. Fluoride is a two-sided subject; on the one hand, medical and government sources tell us it’s good for the teeth, on the other hand, alternative health professionals say it is a poison! I’m sitting firmly on my fence, as I don’t know enough about it to give an opinion. Having said that, there are some excellent natural toothpastes on the market, which can be found in good health food stores.
Parties There seem to be more parties to go to at this time of year, for young ones, and if you need to purchase a groovy gift for a young lady, or have a daughter who likes a bit of razzle or shimmer for her face, check out Virgin Cosmetics website (www.myvirgincosmetics.co.uk/web/sueheapy). They have the cutest make-up/toiletries bags, lip glosses, varnishes and to die for compacts containing combinations of glitzy girly colours for eyes and cheeks. When I spotted the Wild At Heart Shimmer Powder I actually squealed because it was so cute. Unfortunately, I am too old to carry around a bright pink compact with pink shimmer powder and hearts set into it. I just have to purchase one though and maybe I’ll give it to my daughter if she eats all her greens. Look out for their shimmering blush sticks, which will give the cheeks a pretty, natural glow, which is flattering for a young face and perfect for a summer look. To order Virgin products it is quicker and easier to order by phone from Sue Heapy on 26 322494 or 99-010218.
l Korres available at Ermes and Habitat. Jurlique available from Nicosia: 99 548338 and Limassol 99 468480. Green People available at Conscious Living: 99 682327. Tony&Guy Hairdressing: 22 456020 (for details of island wide branches). Virgin Cosmetics available from 99 010218
