https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:46:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877543 Thu, 21 Mar 2019 10:20:46 +0000 babypugs 2877543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh wow, my kids and I get freckles by like...walking to the car from the building. It never occurred to me to bring it up. We practice overall sun safety so I wouldn't mention it at all in that context. Just a basic "hey, we use sunscreen to protect our skin!" has sufficed for our kids without going into specifics. A gajillion people have freckles so I'm not sure it's something my kids have ever even noticed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877535 Thu, 21 Mar 2019 09:38:55 +0000 LKsmom 2877535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just came here to add some irony to seeing this post title this morning...</p> <p>Yesterday, we were at a restaurant with my daughter and she asked me what the "polka dots" on two little boys' faces were. I thought it was adorable. And I also full on expected this to be a discussion on how to talk to your kids about what freckles are. I could've used that advice yesterday :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877499 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 23:14:55 +0000 QBbride 2877499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve hesitated clicking on this thread for a few days now because i don’t really know what to say or how to answer. I have red hair and genetically I have quite a few freckles, I don’t believe they are really sun damage. I’m quite careful in the sun. I 100% would not say anything to your daughter about them. I would just stress the importance of sun protection in terms of sunburns etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877482 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 15:46:07 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2877482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom, who's had freckles all her life, calls them sun kisses. My daughter is half Indian so freckles are not in her future, but when she asked my mom about hers, my mom told her they're little kisses the sun left on her, but that a lot of sun kisses, just like a lot of real kisses, can feel uncomfortable and can hurt, so she wears sunblock all the time to make sure they're gentle kisses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877455 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 11:09:39 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2877455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have freckles and the only people who have ever said anything about them are a couple guys I have dated to remark they look cute. Unless she had a bunch and people started questioning her about having a skin issue I don think it warrants a discussion outside of properly naming the dots on her face as freckles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877452 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 10:52:13 +0000 Madison43 2877452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: Not hurt feelings here! But as someone with Irish skin, there is literally no amount of sunscreen that could prevent the appearance of my summer freckles. Similarly, my kids have my husband's olive skin and no matter how much sunscreen they wear (and we wear a lot), they get tan. Just how melanin in each of our skin types reacts to sunlight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877448 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 10:38:51 +0000 threeplusme 2877448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So i guess the ones to worry about are the age spots. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877447 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 10:38:00 +0000 threeplusme 2877447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Couldn't help googling and found this.</p> <p><a href="https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-all-about-freckles/" rel="nofollow">https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-all-about-freckles/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877446 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 10:35:20 +0000 threeplusme 2877446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have freckles in spots that never see sun so genetics plays a big role. My husbands and I are from irish descent and while we do our best with sun protection for ourselves and our kids I think freckles are inevitable. I'm fairly covered with freckles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877442 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 10:20:30 +0000 Adira 2877442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: By freckles, do you actually mean moles?<br /> Because they are different and moles can be a sign of sun damage, whereas freckles are always benign. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877440 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 10:11:14 +0000 Corduroy 2877440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@teawithpaloma: When I wrote the post I wasn't thinking about about other people and all the types of freckles people can have. When I look at other people I don't think their freckles are a result of negligence. I don't think much about other people's freckles at all.</p> <p>I was thinking of myself, DH, and DD. We have history of skin cancer in the family and I feel responsible for taking care of our skin so I think about our skin.</p> <p>The three of us get freckles in localized areas that get too much sun. Nose, cheeks, shoulders, back of calf and back of neck for DH. DH and I use our freckles as a barometer that we're not being careful enough with our sun protection and sort of a map of where to be especially diligent about sunscreen. </p> <p>That was the concept I was debating introducing to DD. I'm not going to. If it works for her I'm sure she'll figure it out. </p> <p>I shouldn't have assumed other's experience with freckles are the same. I'm sorry if I hurt anyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877409 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 08:40:27 +0000 graceandjoy 2877409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well I've pretty much drilled it into my kids heads that you always need sunscreen to protect your skin! I have freckles, and they are def passed down from my mom, where as my dad/sister don't have any. </p> <p>Anyway, I don't think I've ever correlated freckles with sun care; I just emphasize how important sunscreen is but also that I love my freckles lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877404 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 08:35:46 +0000 teawithpaloma 2877404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: In the nicest way, were you going around thinking that people who have freckles as adults or children were negligent in taking care of their own skin? And that their freckles were the result of this negligence? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877365 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 21:54:02 +0000 Iced Tea 2877365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both of my babies developed some of their freckles and moles shortly after birth, before they even had any sun exposure (and some of them are in places that get zero exposure), so I'm confident that you can get freckles without sun exposure! </p> <p>I agree that I wouldn't make freckles part of the discussion about sunscreen use, or make any indication that they are negative. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877328 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 18:28:24 +0000 JCCovi 2877328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This just came up the other day because DD learned at school that freckles come from the sun and are bad for you. She described someone as ‘’the kid with so many freckles.’’ So I was trying to explain hereditary freckles vs sun freckles and telling her how beautiful I think freckles can be. I have a number, although compared to some it’s not much. Both my kids have 1 or 2 and I’m sure will end up with more. They’ve never been sunburnt and I’m diligent about protecting them from *too much* sun, but I also embrace sun exposure in the winter and let them go without protection after 5 pm. Freckles are just going to happen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877325 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 18:00:31 +0000 Corduroy 2877325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks, I did some reading about freckles before I posted and the info I read did say it indicates sun damage but I'm glad to hear that's not the consensus. I'm not worried about them otherwise. </p> <p>I added the comment about remarks from other people because I have had people point them out to me (Grandma and a caregiver). I was surprised because they just reappeared/appeared in the last week and a half. As far as I know nobody has said anything to DD herself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877324 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 17:44:03 +0000 lamariniere 2877324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can’t really avoid freckles. Mine are hereditary, I’ve had them my whole life (face, arms, and legs) and I’m vigilant about sunscreen. Both of my LOs have face freckles already. My DD has type I skin (so palest of the pale) and hers become very apparent when she’s been in the sun, even with sunscreen. I wouldn’t make a big deal about them, but do try to incorporate sunscreen into a morning routine if you can. I don’t generally put sunscreen on my LOs for school (and it’s sunny every day here), but when I know they are going to be out for a specific event I will. I use my adult sunscreen on their faces since it isn’t goopy and they don’t complain as much, and regular sunscreen elsewhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877323 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 17:42:13 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2877323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say use sunscreen so you don’t get a burn, not “use sunscreen so you don’t get freckles”. My kids understand that no sunscreen/hat could mean a burn and that it hurts so they are good about it. </p> <p>My son has never had a sunburn and has a few freckles near his butt aka has never even seen the sun. My sister is covered in freckles. I don’t think sun = freckles but it can make them stand out more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877321 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 17:22:08 +0000 Lindsay05 2877321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve never heard anything negative about freckles. I think bringing up freckles in a negative way such as it’s from sun damage/exposure, etc would cause more of a complex. My 6 year old is starting to get freckles and I just tell her that they are so cute. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877320 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 17:12:03 +0000 annem1990 2877320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister and I both have a lot of face freckles and I don’t think anyone has ever mentioned it other than “You have cute freckles!” My parents never mentioned it and I think it would’ve add me feel self-conscious if they had. I wouldn’t say anything unless they ask. It’s mostly genetic and there’s not much you can do. Everyone should avoid sunburn, regardless of if they’re prone to freckles. If you make it seem like you’re worried about that, she may pick up on that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877319 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 17:05:28 +0000 codeitall 2877319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Uhhhh, I had to google that. Freckles aren't a sign of sun damage, just sun exposure. Some people (like me) have genetic freckles, so I honestly wouldn't mention it. If she asks, I'd probably just say some people get darker all over when they're in the sun and others get dark in smaller spots. That's the basics of how it works anyway. My dad always joked that I spot tanned :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877317 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 17:03:34 +0000 Sams Mom 2877317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: do you think she's able to remember to use a face stick? Or maybe a face lotion with SPF in the morning? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877316 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 17:02:59 +0000 catgirl 2877316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Freckles are often hereditary - so there's that. </p> <p>And even if they are from sun exposure, some people are just more likely to have them than others. So while I think protecting from the sun is incredibly important, I don't think you can do anything specifically to pretect from freckles. </p> <p>I agree with discussing how to safely protect our skin from the sun. But wouldn't dwell on the freckles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877315 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 16:58:43 +0000 Corduroy 2877315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I should add she's not using adequate sun protection at school/extended care. I try to get sunblock on her every morning and she is supposed to wear her hat when she's outside but she comes home sunburnt on her face fairly regularly so we haven't figured that out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877314 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 16:58:08 +0000 Sams Mom 2877314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have freckles genetically I guess (red/Auburn hair throughout my mom's side of the family) </p> <p>I've never had anything negative said about them, or even thought to worry about them. I don't think it needs to be addressed really. </p> <p>If you're worried about sun damage talk to her about taking care of your body, and ensure sunscreen is used. Otherwise, they are what they are, and bringing them up is unnecessary attention/worry. 🤷🏼‍♀️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-talk-to-your-lo-about-freckles#post-2877312 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 16:47:20 +0000 Corduroy 2877312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How do you talk to your kids about freckles? </p> <p>I want DD to avoid freckles like sunburns and other sun damage but I don't want to give her a complex about them. She's 6 and very pale. I'm sure she's destined for freckles no matter how careful she is. If they weren't a sign of sun damage I wouldn't care. </p> <p>Is saying nothing the best way to go? What about when other people mention them? </p>