Leisure Reading

Safe Mom

This is why

we don't want or have plastic toys, sippy cups, plates, cups, etc.

http://www.oregontoxics.org/plastics1.html

Children are more vulnerable to toxic harm than adults because they are smaller, consume more air, food, and water for each pound of body weight than adults, and they put more things into their mouths.

Accordingly, children are more susceptible to damage from environmental threats because their bodies, brains, organs, and central nervous system are undergoing extensive growth and development throughout infancy and early childhood.

NEW RESEARCH on Children’s Exposure from Toxics in the Environmental

Exposure to toxics can cause irreparable damage to a child’s health and cognitive abilities. New research from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warned that chemicals in the environment are implicated in asthma, acute bronchitis and upper-respiratory infections, cancer, mental retardation and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Scientific conclusions about what might be a “safe” threshold of exposure have been continuously revised downward. What ten years ago was considered a “safe” level of mercury for human consumption is now known to be a harmful level. Lead and asbestos, once commonly used and promoted as safe, have proven to be harmful at any level of exposure.

REDUCING TOXICS IN YOUR HOME SHOULD BE A GOAL.

Always on Guard

Some people wonder why I question so many things. They wonder why I make the decisions I do for our family and my kiddos. Well, it is hard to trust when every other day I am told of another area where our family can be harmed. No one else is looking out for our well-being (government, FDA, etc).

I have tried very hard to eliminate all plastics from our kitchen - no IKEA plasticware for the kiddos, glass storage, etc. The playroom has been analyzed and many toys given to new homes in an attempt to remain plastic free and use more natural toys (blocks, cloth dolls, playsilks, etc). The whole house is cleaned with vinegar and baking soda. We really try to make it a safe place.

Then, I read this: Pacifier Guide

I recently bought a pacifier for Baby B. I had been using my little finger when he needed some additional soothing and did not want to nurse. It seemed like perhaps a pacifier would be a better choice. So much for that thought. Even on my worst day, my finger will not cause him as much damage as what is packaged at my local Target...

Snuggling at the Park

I Succumbed

I really try to live without punishments/rewards with the kids. Most of the time, we are successful. This was until the screaming started. Well, truly it has been going on for awhile, but it has reached an impossible crescendo. I feel as if I am continually in a foxhole with the noise level in our home. With some prompting from EC, I decided yesterday to charge 25 cents for every time we yelled at one another or screamed for sport. It worked. We all were more careful about our tone, using our words and being more respectful. E even started self-reporting on his screaming. All was good until I realized E thought he would get more quarters not lose them. He told me at bedtime that he would get 40 million quarters. Hmmm...perhaps we have to rethink this.

E: $2.00
A: $1.75
H: $ .25

I did find it quite interesting to see what each person considered yelling/screaming.

Attachment Parenting International

I have been a leader for our local Attachemnt Parenting Support group for several years. I enjoy talking to others about parenting and gaining support from them as well.

Today API has several important and exciting announcements to share:

• API unveils its Parent Education Program
• API launches new worldwide attachment parenting forums
• API co-founders announce their new book about attachment parenting
• API announces series of monthly web events with noted AP authors and parents, kicks off series in May

The website can be accessed at www.attachmentparenting.org . The forums are found here http://www.attachmentparenting.org/forums/

You should take a moment to check it out.

Children and Praise

I am a fan of Alfie Kohn and his work. He has written several books which I have read. I agree with his article Five Reasons to Stop Saying "Good-Job!" Recently the same topic was discussed on a blog I read as a result of an article in New York magazine. I have noticed that my son has recently begun saying, "good Job" to his siter or anyone else for that matter. It is a bit unnerving as he just says it by rote. We don't say it to him in this manner, so I am wondering where he picked it up.

Something to remember

IF I HAD MY CHILD TO RAISE ALL OVER AGAIN

If I had my child to raise all over again,

I’d finger-paint more and point the finger less.

I’d do less correcting and more connecting.

I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less and know to care more.

I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.

I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I’d run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I’d do more hugging and less tugging.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I’d teach less about the love of power,

And more about the power of love.

By Diane Loomans, from the book, Full Esteem Ahead, 100 Ways to Build Self Esteem in Children & Adults.