How do you keep their hats on?

[robinsegg]

Hi!
We'll be going to WDW this December with our 10yo, 8yo and 17mo. Our baby doesn't seem to enjoy keeping her hat on. She doesn't have much hair, and I'm concerned about sunburn. Any suggestions?
Thanks in Advance!

 

[imthatgirl]

I never made my kids wear hats, instead I sunscreened them and made sure they ahd a good shade on their stroller.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Well in December you may need a warm hat. Just look for one that has a chin strap and buy the most comfortable one you can find. I spent as much on DGS's hat as his coat, but he wears it just fine!!!

 

[msmama]

I agree with a hat that has a strap.

Also, my DS (just turned 2) learned last summer that if he took his hat off, it meant we come inside. The lesson carried over to this spring already.

He's too fair (he has his mother's skin) and I've had a skin cancer scare so I take it very seriously. No hat, no outside.

I'd start working on it now.

 

[4under4]

Go to a park. Tell DD that as long as she keeps her hat on you will stay, but if she takes if off you go home. AS SOON AS IT COMES OFF HER HEAD, you head straight home. Absolutely no "put it on or we're leaving"! This is a one strike and you're out lesson. Try it again a day or two later, and remind her of the rules. I promise after just a couple times having her fun cut short, she will stop playing games with the hat. My kids know that hats are not an option, even if they are only playing in the backyard. It's second nature and I don't regret the effort it took to get it that way.

BTW, I would also recommend a strap if only to make sure it stays put while DS is having fun.

 

[ccgirl]

My DD had sensory issues...just could not have anything on her head, tags anywhere else etc....so the one strike and you're out just wouldn't work. She wasn't being defiant - it just bothered her that much. At any rate, I just did the sunscreen on the head and gave her a bath at night. That seemed to work well. Good luck!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I never made my kids wear hats, instead I sunscreened them and made sure they ahd a good shade on their stroller.

I did the same thing. If they wore the hat then great if not then I didn't care. I personally hate wearing a hat when it is hot out so I am not going to force my kids to.

 

[GoinToDisney]

We are a no hat- no outside family. Just make sure that it's lightweight and has a strap.

ETA: My 6 yo can opt for sunscreen and sunglasses sometimes, but then the sunglasses must stay on. I want her skin and her eyes protected. She has enough hair that we only have to put sunscreen on her part if it's in 2 ponytails.

 

[nexttrip4us]

We are a no hat, no outside family too. We've had great like with the chin strap hats from Coolibar (www.coolibar.com) and when my kids were young, I had some tie-on hats too--last one I got was from Hanna Andersson.

Good luck!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I just wanted to point out that a chin strap will not always solve the problem. If you have a child that simply cannot stand the hat they will pull and tug at it choking themselves until the hat is off. Now I don't let my kids dictate to me but for me personally I don't think not wearing a hat is a big deal since I myself cannot stand a hat in hot weather. Just something to consider.