I heard an interesting story on NPR this morning about Vitamin D deficiency and it’s possible effects. (Vitamin D Fervor: Are We Overselling the Sunshine Vitamin?) I didn’t get to hear the whole story, so I looked it up online and then found my way to another story about Vitamin D (Who Needs More Sunshine? Maybe You.) written last summer.
The jury is still out, it seems, on just how much is enough, how much is too much, and what the best way to get it really is. But it seems a lot of us may not be getting enough Vitamin D. And I just have to wonder how much of this comes from our (relatively) new fear of the sun?
I’m sure this is a gross oversimplification. Maybe I am just trying to make myself feel better as a mother. We are getting closer and closer to summer, which means my children will be outside nearly naked all day while their peers are dressed in long sleeved “rash guards” and big hats and slathered head to toe in sun screen . . .
Bad Mommy. I should do more to protect my children from the sun. Maybe. Neither has ever had a sunburn (not really, not the kind I had all the time as a child) and we do wear sunscreen when we go to the beach . . .I mean, obviously I do not want my children to get skin cancer (or wrinkles) but do we really have to take it so far?
Fletcher & Lola 
Your father is going back to the dermatologist this week to get his third skin cancer lesion removed.
OK so obviously there are concerns with the sun. And you know that we aren’t entirely reckless. But I think there can be a difference between being responsible and being afraid.