Welcome to the club, Biebers

The latest in parenting news, tips, and trends:

This latest parenting debate: forcing your kids to say sorry. Y/N?

This deep dive into whether supplements for kids are actually safe. It might have some parents thinking twice.

How Dr. Becky deals with screen time with her own kids. It’s hard for her, too.

The outrageous comments multiracial families have to deal with — and what parents can say to support their kids. Addressing it head-on helps.

How to tell if you’re the family “kinkeeper” — and why this mom is done doing it. Solidarity. 

PS: Does your kid have an imaginary friend — or are they remembering their past life?

Kate Hudson on Parenting Kids 7 Years Apart

Actress, entrepreneur, and now singer, Kate Hudson, shares her take on motherhood in a new interview with us. We talk about co-parenting, the things she wished she knew as a first-time mom, her youngest’s must-do bedtime activity, and so much more.

Here’s a peek: 

You have three kids, all different ages. How has your parenting style evolved for each child?

“I’ve had one kid the last three decades. They’re all seven and a half years apart, so I’ve been in very different places in my life as I’ve raised each child. And you know what? They’re all very different kids.

“You tend to think that you’re going to use the same methodology because you’re the one raising the kids, but what I’ve found is that I have never been able to approach my kids in the same way. They each have different learning profiles, their personalities are all awesome and unique. They have different sensitivities to different things. 

Click here to read the full interview. She shares her thoughts on divorce, picky eating, and why she doesn’t believe in negotiating with her kids.

Last week, we asked you to vote on a question to answer. The winner was:

How often do I really need to reapply sunscreen on my kids?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Hailey Nelson, MD, FAAP, IBCLC

Complex Care Pediatrician, Valley Children's Healthcare

FEATURED EXPERT:

Monica Wonnacott, MD, FAAP

Founder, PediatricAnswers.com

“Sunscreen is one of the most important parts of outdoor play, so before you re-apply, it’s important to apply,” says Nelson. That includes putting sunscreen on kids at least 30 minutes before they head outside, she says. 

Once that initial application is done, make sure to:

• Reapply every two hours. Pro tip: Choose a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. The upside to picking a higher SPF is that if you have spots with less coverage, you still get a good amount of protection, Nelson says.

• Do it more often if they’re playing. “You will need to reapply more frequently — i.e., every 90 minutes — if swimming or sweating as the product will wear off quicker,” says Wonnacott. 

• Reapply when the sun isn’t shining, too: “Protecting their skin from UV rays is needed even on those cloudy days,” says Nelson.

• Set a reminder. “Otherwise, it’s too easy to apply it once and forget about it,” says Wonnacott. 

PS: Some bonus advice — “My pediatrician and mom recommendation is to go for swim shirts (or rash guards) that provide SPF. The more skin covered the less sunscreen you need to apply,” says Nelson.

Nearly 1 million

That’s how many people in the US live with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurological disease with symptoms like fatigue, blurred vision, hand tremors, and difficulty walking, among others. There isn’t a cure, but there are treatment options that may help slow disability progression. Head here to read stories from real women living with MS  — including one who's had two kids since getting diagnosed.

We have thoughts. This week, we ranked our thoughts on Mother’s Day activities, from 0–10. No science, just snark.

Hard pass

0/10: Any activity that involves packing for the kids. If we have to sort snacks, pack clothes, or answer any question that starts with “Where can I find….” we won’t be attending. (Psst… Pass this list of activities to your loved ones if they need ideas.)

1/10: Going to a restaurant. It doesn’t matter if it’s brunch or dinner, there will be long lines, mediocre food, and lots of people. There's a better way. 

Ehh 

5/10: A Mother’s Day photoshoot. Pictures are nice but the effort to get them isn’t always pretty (or easy) — cue the crying baby.  

More of this 

7/10: Enjoying a meal at home — with someone else cooking or ordering takeout. Note: This only counts as a good Mother’s Day activity if mom did nothing to help — which means no cleaning either.

10/10: Alone time. Hitting the spa (with a gift card), napping, or just luxuriating in the silence of an empty house. Now, that’s the stuff.

Learn about the new you

Did you know “mommy brain” is real, and may have an evolutionary purpose? Or that your baby’s cells float around in your bloodstream years after giving birth? Talk about containing multitudes.

For more insights, check out the Skimm Well newsletter. Every week, we round up the latest health and wellness news, expert-backed tips, trends, and resources so you can understand and make confident decisions about your health.