Gone and proven my point

Kaeldrasmommy

Not as bad as she could have, but it really shouldn't be too hard to keep a couple of older kids safe for a few days. S has the worst sunburn I've ever seen. We're talking blisters the size of quarters. I understand that at nearly 12 he should pretty well get the concept of sunscreen, we give a reminder every couple of hours and help with anywhwere they can't reach, but how do you let your child get burned so badly? I know I've ranted a bit lately, but I just can't fathom it.

xmaryrickx

If he is blistered that bad (is he blistered or peeling?) I hope you are taking him to urgent care ASAP. True blistering is a sign of sun poisoning and could even be a second degree burn. I can't imagine how much pain he is in and they may give him burn cream (forget the name) which is miraculous stuff. 

nurrieum

Geezuz. Though I agree that at 12 years old can grasp the concept of sunscreen when you get involved in an outdoor activity the concept of time and needing to reapply etc can very easily slip their mind. Poor kid, I'd be pretty pissedoff. Blisters mean a severe burn- I would be livid. I feel terrible for your S- that's just utter misery that could be so easily avoided.

Kaeldrasmommy

He's got actual blisters. But because he's not showing any other signs of sun poisoning, we still aren't really sure if we should take him to the doctor. He tells us it doesn't even hurt very badly. Most of what I know to look for as far as sun poisoning goes, usually involves a large area or illness. This is actually a very small but very badly burned place.

Mostly it pisses me off, because as I said, how do you let your child get so badly burned?

karleegirl

12 yr old boys still need reminding ( that's part of being a parent). Im sorry your ss (and you) are dealing with this.

Ilumine

Take him.  You are documenting her negligence.

10-4LilBuddy

Please take him to the dr to document his terrible sunburn.  This will help if BM decides she likes playing mom and wants to take him in accordance with your CO.

Littlejen22

IMHO, a 12yo shoul have been able to do this himself without reminding, I know my neices are 13 and 11 and at camp they are 100%responsible for their own sunscreen.  Obviously I would hope if they were burning enough for blisters (and I assume you mean painful types of blisters and not just peelin like someone else saiD or prickly heat-type blisters where there is a little sun-burn and sweat is stuck in it, I get that gross-ness easy).  I know not everyone will agree but a 12yo is old enough to spend some time alone without adult supervision than unless they have a diagnosis to make them developmentally behind they should be able to do this. 

I know this entire situation sucks, and I would bring the kid to the doctor if needed and document to add to other stuff but I would not make a huge deal about this alone.  And I really am not over-looking the fact that BM abandoned the kids. 

BabyHernandez03

A friend of mine let this happen to her children Sad. Hope yours feel better soon! 

BabyHernandez03

Ilumine:

Take him.  You are documenting her negligence.

Agree. We document everything at our house. Never hurts & hopefully the can help make then pain less! 

lily_721

karleegirl:

12 yr old boys still need reminding ( that's part of being a parent). Im sorry your ss (and you) are dealing with this.

My SSs are 16 and 18 and I remind them to put on sunscreen. 

MarSamWhitney

I have to agree about taking him in, the cream works wonders!

xmaryrickx

Kaeldrasmommy:

He's got actual blisters. But because he's not showing any other signs of sun poisoning, we still aren't really sure if we should take him to the doctor. He tells us it doesn't even hurt very badly. Most of what I know to look for as far as sun poisoning goes, usually involves a large area or illness. This is actually a very small but very badly burned place.

Mostly it pisses me off, because as I said, how do you let your child get so badly burned?

as an esthetician, I personally think any sunburn that causes blisters should be treated by a professional. It is a second degree burn, regardless of the size. If you haven't already taken him its probably too late. But please but pure vitamin e oil on it. 

lax15bsu

It's harder to remember that older kids need sunscreen too.  I know when SS comes with me to the pool, I don't automatically think to put it on SS like I do my 21mo. But maybe that's just me.

That said - I have two examples of very different behavior from my 12yo SS.  The first time we went to the pool, he ASKED for sunscreen right away because he knew he was playing baseball and didn't want to have to throw a ball with sunburned shoulders.  He also asked for re-application of the sunscreen every other hour or so.  I mean, he hounded us about it. 

Two weeks later, he went to a beach with a friend.  Spent the entire day out in 100 degree heat and cloudless skies and not once did he ask for sunscreen or call one of his parents when he realized they didn't bring any.  And of course got sun poisoning, blisters, the works. He was out of commission for a whole three days, couldn't wear a shirt, missed baseball and everything. 

 So, yeah, at 12yo the kid should be responsible enough to remember sunscreen.  The key word is SHOULD be.  It is still the responsibility of an adult to make sure.  

 In your situation, I tend to agree with PPs about taking him to urgent care if he's truly in pain.  But I also know that I've had blistering from a sunburn before and it certainly did not require a doctor's care - just a lot of aloe, some Tylenol, and keeping hydrated.

scoobyd266

I agree, take him to the dr this way you have it documented if nothing else. My oldest SS is going to be 13 in Sept. He is a nightmare when it comes to sunblock! He knows he should use it, but fights us every single time! He needs constant reminding. Just because they should know better, doesn't mean they do. She should have been on top of him about this. Poor thing

Kaeldrasmommy

Sorry it took me so long to get back! Thanks for all the advice. By the time we were even aware of it being blistered the way it was it obviously would have been too late for a doctor to do much of anything. S says that it doesn't hurt very bad although we're having him do without a shirt for the most part to keep it from getting irritated. We do have photos of it, but it would probably just upset him and feed BM's hypochodriac tendencies if we took him to the doctor just for documentation.