The 10 Hilariously Stressful Stages of Putting Sunscreen on Your Child

Planning a family outing to the beach or pool is easier said than done. It requires a lot of packing, energy, and a whole lot of patience to get from your home to laying back in your lounge chair. Even if your kids are just playing in the backyard or have any type of outdoor activity planned, protecting their skin from the sun's harsh rays is essential, but that doesn't mean it's easy. In fact, putting sunscreen on your kid is usually a gross, stressful, and sometimes hilarious task. Keep reading for the 10 stages of applying sunscreen to your kid that every mom will relate to on a deep level.

01
When You Try to Get Your Kid to Hold Still For Just a Minute
Giphy

When You Try to Get Your Kid to Hold Still For Just a Minute

Suddenly your child becomes a ninja warrior that's a pro at escaping your grip. They treat sunscreen like hot lava and don't want it to touch their skin. But guess what, kid? No sunscreen means no pool, deal with it.

02
When Sand Mixes in With the Sunscreen
Pop TV

When Sand Mixes in With the Sunscreen

Oh, the beach. The minute you whip out the sunscreen, it somehow gets mixed up with sand. This makes for a gross layer on your kid and a gross layer on your hands.

03
When You Run Out of Sunscreen Spray
Giphy

When You Run Out of Sunscreen Spray

Looks like you'll have to do this the old-fashioned way. You're probably going to want to call in some backup for this, meaning one of you holds your kid still while the other covers every inch of their skin in sunscreen.

04
When You’re Doing Everything You Can Not to Get Sunscreen in Their Eyes
Fox

When You’re Doing Everything You Can Not to Get Sunscreen in Their Eyes

If you move, it WILL get in your eyes, and it WILL be your fault.

05
When They Run Away Before You Can Get That One Last Spot
CBS

When They Run Away Before You Can Get That One Last Spot

They'll probably head straight for the couch while covered in gooey sunscreen, but no matter what they do, their ears will NOT get burnt on your watch.

06
When You Clearly Put a Little Too Much On . . .
Fox

When You Clearly Put a Little Too Much On . . .

If they lean against any surface, they'll slide right off. But it'll soak in, right?

08
When They Jump in the Water as Soon as You’re Done
Bravo

When They Jump in the Water as Soon as You’re Done

Nooooooo! All that hard work for nothing! It needs to soak in, kid!

09
When You’re Finally Done With the Kids and Can Relax
Giphy

When You’re Finally Done With the Kids and Can Relax

Was all that work and slippery hassle worth it for a few precious moments to dive into your beach read? Yes. Yes it was.

10
But Then You Realize It’s Already Been Two Hours and It's Time to Reapply
Fox

But Then You Realize It’s Already Been Two Hours and It's Time to Reapply

Here we go again . . .