parenting

Steady Days: A Review

Jamie Martin, who writes the delightful blog, Steady Mom, has recently released her first book, Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood. I found Jamie’s blog only a few weeks ago and was so taken by her story and her posts that I ordered the book from Amazon immediately. I can honestly say it did not disappoint and I’ve been mulling over the ideas contained in its pages for days now.

The book consists of 40 very small chapters divided into 4 categories (Getting Organized, Retaining Enthusiasm, Learning Together and Making Memories). The chapters are small for a reason. Jamie knows that moms are sometimes only able to read in fits and starts. It’s easy to squeeze in a chapter here and there as time permits.

One of the things that struck me in the first section was Jamie’s question, “If you’re not organized, why not?” It’s not a reprimand as much as it’s a question to ask yourself. Jamie suggests that being organized makes your job as a mother more peaceful and more productive. The question is really, why would you deny yourself the gift of peace and productivity?

I appreciate that Jamie’s suggestions can apply both to mothers who work outside of the home and to those who work full-time in it. While she is interested in homeschooling and follows the Christian faith, she in no way suggests that her choices are the right ones for all mothers. It’s as if she’s saying, “Hey, I know this is hard. Here are some things that have worked for me and my family. Feel free to use my plan, or adjust it so that it works for you.”

She provides plenty of resources and shows us step by step exactly how she organizes her days. If you have children, this book is a can’t miss. At under $10, Steady Days is well worth a look.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Jamie Martin, parenting, Steady Days

Safe and Eco-Friendly Toys

by Beth 4 Comments

Children’s toy hazards are all over the news. It seems that there’s a new danger every time we turn around. One way to avoid some of these problems (BPA, mercury, melamine, etc.) is to buy toys from companies committed to greener (and safer) practices. The Washington Post recently ran an article in their Kid’s Post section about some green toy options. I’d like to highlight the information the Post covered, and add a few green toy picks of my own.

The Washington Post article, by Margaret Webb Pressler, mentioned several areas to focus on when choosing toys for kids:

– Look at the box the toy is in. Is it made of recycled or recyclable material? Is it bigger than it needs to be? “There was a time when the big box meant value, and now the big box means waste,” said toy expert Chris Byrne.

– Look at where the toy was made. A lot of energy is used to get a toy all the way from China. When possible, look for toys made in this country.

– When a toy gets broken and needs to be thrown away, see whether all or part of it can go in the recycling bin instead of the trash can. Green Pieces puzzles by TDC Games have wildflower seeds pressed into them, so when you’re done with the puzzle, you can just plant the pieces!

– Instead of using all those AA and AAA batteries to power your remote control cars and then throwing them in the trash when they are used up, consider using rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable batteries are widely available and can be recycled rather than pile up in a landfill.

– If you outgrow a toy and find that you’re not playing with it much anymore, give it to another child who will enjoy it. That’s the best recycling of all.

One brand discussed in this article is Green Toys. Their products are made in the United States from recycled milk jugs. They are BPA, phthalate, and lead free and meet all the toy safety standards. Below are a few of their offerings:

EcoSaucer Flying Disc: The EcoSaucer is a green spin on the classic Frisbee. Like all Green Toys products, it’s made from 100% recycled milk cartons and contains no phthalates or BPA. Even better, the packaging is completely recyclable.

Sand Play Set: This set is recommended for ages 3 and above. It includes a bucket, sand mold, shovel and rake.

Indoor Gardening Kit: This is a great little set. My girls have it and really like it. It comes with dirt discs that expand to fill up the pots. It also includes 3 different varieties of organic seeds. My kids had a great time watching their “garden” grow.

Recycle Truck and Dump Truck: Trucks, only greener. I’m sure if these trucks actually ran, they’d have really low emissions.

I’m glad to see toys that are not only safe for our children, but made of recycled materials, too. I can’t see any downside to toys like this.
One other toy not referred to in the Washington Post article, but one I think deserves some attention is In the Country Learning Game. I first learned about this game from Jeremiah at ZRecommends. They tried it out with their 4 year old daughter with great results. Follow this ZRecs link to read their review.

I’d love to know if any of you have favorite green toys. If so, please let us know about them in the comments.

Filed Under: Chemicals, Environment Tagged With: eco friendly toys, green toys, parenting, safe toys

Featured Do-Gooder: Healthy Child, Healthy World

by Beth Leave a Comment

From time to time Smart Family Tips will feature an organization that is a “Do-Gooder”: a group that works to help both people and the environment. The Do-Gooders may be companies, nonprofits, or any organized group that focuses its efforts on making the world a better place.

Healthy Child, Healthy World is a nonprofit devoted to helping protect children from chemical exposure.

Our Mission: We are igniting a movement that inspires parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals.

Most recently, their book, Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home was released in paperback; it’s only $10.88 on Amazon. The book covers nearly every aspect of how to make your home and immediate environment safe for your children. The product description from amazon.com provides a good overview:

Inside, you’ll find practical, inexpensive, and easy lifestyle advice for every stage of parenting including:

* Advice on preparing a nontoxic nursery for a new baby
* What every expectant mom needs to do to have a safer pregnancy
* Clarifying which plastics and baby products to avoid and the healthier solutions
* Tips to take to the grocery store, including the most and least pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables and the best healthy kid-approved snacks
* Which beauty care / cosmetic products pose the biggest risk to health
* The best recipes for healthy snacks, low-cost and safe homemade cleaners, and non-toxic art supplies
* How to easily minimize allergens, dust, and lead
* A greener garden, yard, and outdoor spaces
* Tips to keep your pets healthy, and the unwanted pests out naturally
* Renovation ideas, naturally fresher indoor air, and safer sleeping options,
* An 27 page extensive shopper’s guide to most trusted and best products every home needs

Inside is also packed with over 40 featured contributions from renowned doctors, environmental scientists, and public-health experts like Dr. Harvey Karp, Dr Philip Landrigan, and William McDonough, as well as many celebrity parents like Gwyneth Paltrow, Tobey Maguire, Sheryl Crow, Erin Brockovich and Tom Hanks. A special featured contribution from First Lady Michelle Obama on her best ways of coping with her daughter’s asthma.

The Healthy Child, Healthy World website includes loads of information on chemical exposure and what HCHW is doing to help. There is an informative blog with regular updates on topics related to children’s health and environmental toxins. Also on the site, you can download six printable pocket guides on topics including baby care; personal care products; sustainability & lifestyle; home, school & office; household & cleaning products; and food & nutrition.

In addition, Healthy Child, Healthy World has partnered with WebMD to create Health eHome, an interactive site that allows you to identify possible health hazards in your home. There is additional information on how to make your home safer and healthier for you and your family.

If you have children, or are concerned about the environmental hazards we’re all exposed to, please visit their site. Their book has proven to be an invaluable resource to me and would likely be of help to you as well.