Whew! Hot weather has arrived in the Midwest. We are enjoying a beautiful sunny day, bright sunshine and blue skies but it’s also hot and very humid. Hmmm. It might not be such a beautiful day if you or your kids don’t sweat.
I remember the days when my kids would come in from outside, all hot and sweaty and 
having the time of their lives. There’s baseball, kick ball and all kinds of summer fun. There’s also swimming, running through the sprinklers and water slides. Kids love the summer freedom and playful time. Oh to be a kid again to be off school for the summer! Remember that feeling?
I know you worry about your children who are affected by ectodermal dysplasia. You worry that they will overheat and become sick in the hot weather. You worry that maybe you won’t be there if they do overheat. You might tend to be “over protective” out of worry for their safety and keep them inside all summer.
Thus, they miss the opportunity to have “summer fun” with their friends and siblings. I certainly get the worrying part. It is a natural gift we mothers have, as I worried like crazy about my five kids as they were growing up. Sometimes a good thing; sometimes not so much.
OK, it’s time for tough mom and/ or dad love! Your children need to learn how to cope with the heat and it’s your job to teach them. They will grow up and go to high school a
nd college. They can enjoy all of the sports and outdoor fun that their peers can, so let them.
There is an affected young man who is wrestling on the collegiate level. We know cr
oss country and marathon medal winners and champion baseball players. And of course there are those that aren’t the top players or medal winners but they are still champions!
Be on the side lines cheering them on with a case of water handy. They are affected by ectodermal dysplasias but don’t let it define who they are or what they can do.
The trick is to know how to manage the heat but not to keep them inside all of the time. Wet their T shirts, give them squirt bottles and teach them to recognize when it is time to come indoors for a break.Set up a sprinkler in the yard and let them run and have fun. Make sure they always have a full water bottle. Keep your freezer packed with popsicles (my very favorite treat ). I am still a big fan of popsicles. Ask the NFED staff; I keep some in our office freezer.
Summer is the time to be young, have fun and make memories with friends. Let them be kids and enjoy summer, but let them enjoy summer with your entire family knowing all of the facts.
Please take a few minutes to click on this link. Read the best ways to keep your “cool” kid cool in the summer. What do they say? “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” And that is exactly the case for overheating in the summer.
Please read this information and share it with aunts, uncles, grandparents, the parents of your children’s friends, babysitters and daycares. Please call the NFED office with any questions.
Let’s be ready for summer and have a great one. It’s here and it’s going to be HOT!
Ok moms and dads, show your tough love and let your kids be kids. They will be fine, actually better than fine. They will be happy and successful in managing the heat.
Happy Summer!
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