The Not Quite Crunchy Parent

What to Do This Summer – Ask Toys R Us

2008-05-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

One of the interesting things about buying toys in America and around the world, to some extent, is the closed loop nature of the experience. Twelve to 18 months in advance marketers start digging around in shopping malls, in focus groups and in Hollywood back rooms to figure out what the next big trend is going to be each season.

A few months later, they announce these trends, which are picked up by other marketers through a variety of methods. These then ricochet around the marketing community until all agree and begin madly producing toys to meet the yet unknown needs of tiny consumers. But, don’t worry; massive advertising campaigns will make sure they do.

So, I was pleased to find that Toys R Us has announced what I’ll want to buy for my son this summer. That takes a load off of my mind!

It seems there will be several different trends taking hold. As identified in the Toys R Us Summer Play Trend List

BACKYARD BANDS

With the Jonas Brothers and the Naked Brothers Band exploding on the scene, kids are coming together to mix their musical talents in hopes of becoming the next pop sensation. This summer, from Maine to California, backyards are the new proving grounds for bands.

NATURE FIRST

Many of this summer's must-have toys are aligned with this lifestyle and teach kids about nature and the planet.

GET YOUR MOVE ON

Today, more than ever, children are encouraged to participate in physical activity to help them lead healthier lives, and there is no better time for kids to be active than summer. Although games of it-tag, hide-and-go-seek and hop-scotch are still popular, there are new ways for kids to have a great time while getting their move on.

TECHNO-CATION

Active young minds continually look for easy and fun ways to be quickly "in the know," utilizing a mash-up of technology and education toys that can be taken anywhere this summer.

Along with these descriptions, Toys R US offers a variety of samples of new toys in each category. Some I found interesting, like Crayolas new “earth friendly colors and kid sized gardening accessories. Some I found great for moms busier apparently than I, like the Grow Your Own Tomato Plant all-in-one pack from Buzzy – I’ll probably just go buy some seeds and use an egg carton but, I DO like that this type of toy is offered. Some made me cringe – LeapFrog electronic books that “read” to preschoolers.

While Nature First and Get your Move On seem like trends that well….happen every summer, I’m intrigued by the Backyard Band trend – I’ve always loved having the kids select instruments and march around the neighborhood.

And, as I’m researching ways to keep my son up to speed over the summer, the idea behind the Techno-cation idea, educational activities that can be taken anywhere, strikes me as a good idea, as I look forward to spending the summer in the car traveling from activity to activity.

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Safety in Numbers – Which Types of Plastics To Avoid

2008-05-10T08:03:00.000-07:00

I’m not sure why I didn’t see this before. Figuring out all of the numbers stamped into the bottom of plastic bottles and packages rattles my brain and turns into one of those “whose on first?” type of discussions when my friends and I get together and watch our kids ~~fight~~ play.

It turns out that really, there are just 3 numbers to remember:

763

Just like remembering a phone number…right? It turns out that this is the area code for Minneapolis, which if you live in Minnesota may make it easier to remember. Otherwise it's just one of those oddball bits of information to store somewhere in the "misc." file in your brain.

Anyway...back to scary plastics.

The Daily Green fortunately, has a nice description of which PVC plastics to avoid and why:

Number 7 Plastics
Miscellaneous
Found in: Baby bottles, three- and five-gallon water bottles, certain food containers

A wide range of plastic resins that don't fit into the other six categories are lumped into number 7. Some are quite safe, but the ones to worry about are the hard polycarbonate varieties, as found in various drinking containers (like Nalgene bottles) and rigid plastic baby bottles.

Why? Studies have shown polycarbonate can leach bisphenol A, a potential hormone disruptor, into liquids. According to Trasande, no level of bisphenol A exposure is known to be truly safe, and in August a government panel expressed 'some concern' that the ingredient causes neural and behavioral problems in children.

Number 6 Plastics
PS (polystyrene)
Found in: Disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, carry-out containers

Number 6 plastics (polystyrene) are made into soft Styrofoam-style cups as well as rigid foams and hard plastic products, so remember to look for those little numbers in the arrows (don't feel bad if you need a magnifying glass). Avoid using them as much as possible.

Why? Number 6 plastics can release potentially toxic breakdown products (including styrene). Get this: particularly when heated! That insulated coffee cup -- the one that 'knows' when to keep your drink warm -- doesn't seem so smart anymore does it?

Number 3 Plastics

V (Vinyl) or PVC
Found in: Cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging

Why? Number 3 plastics may release toxic breakdown products (including pthalates) into food and drinks.

The risk is highest when containers start wearing out, are put through the dishwasher or when they are heated (including microwaved). PVC manufacturing can release highly toxic dioxins into the environment, and the materials can off-gas toxic plasticizers into your home.

Thanks Guys!

How to Pick a Composter – My Adventure with Dirt, Worms and Kitchen Scraps

2008-05-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

Though I profess to be green, and an inveterate gardener, it was not until recently (OK, yesterday) that I finally purchased a composter. It’s not that I didn’t WANT to compost, I’ve heard awesome things about the rich deep, healthy soil it produces, the eco friendly, waste recycling benefits and the cost savings resulting from not accidentally dropping a fork into the disposal with the leftover vegetable scraps and breaking it (the disposal not the fork)

It’s just that I couldn’t get my arms around which composter to buy or whether I could handle a compostor or whether we had somewhere to put a compostor or whether we would be moving or…

So, of course, my search for a composter turned into one of those fairly simple purchases, which after a tiny bit of research…. ends up taking a year. You know what I mean.

Lest you think it was just my inability to make a decision that drew out this process so long, I had one constraint. We don’t actually have a yard. We have a green space we share with childless neighbors who normally don’t care what we do with it. But, they may draw the line at installing a composter, so I was looking for a smaller patio unit.

And…since I WAS looking for a unit that would be displayed on my patio and proudly shown to all of my friends…I wanted it to be pretty! (So, shoot me, I have aesthetic needs.) Once I began my search, of course, one of the things I found out is…composters are, as a rule…UG-LY.

Sigh

There are, as I found out, several different types of ugly composters.

1. A drum or tumbler composter. These seem to be the ones most of my crunchy friends have – big. The basic concept is: put your kitchen scraps into the composter; spin it daily; then in a while (weeks? months? years?) you can harvest rich black soil.

How long one has to wait or exactly how much soil one can harvest or…what one does with scraps generated after the compostor is full, I haven’t figured out yet.

2. Worm compostors or vermiculture. This concept really appealed to me. Something about little wormy guys doing the composting seemed cool. I also liked the three tray approach here. Put the scraps and worms in the bottom tray. Keep adding trays of scraps to the top – the worms eat their way up. I wanted to be a “wormhead”!

But, I was the only one in my family who did. Then again, I’m the pet lover in the group.

3. Finally, I stumbled upon a system that, while not beautiful, was small, easy to use and yielded quick results. For me this seemed to be the perfect starter composter - a Bokashi system. This method uses a simple airtight container and what appears to be some sort of fermented material to speed up the process. A benefit to this system, as opposed to some of the others is that you can add meat scraps, as well as vegetables, fruits etc. (apparently meat and diary products create such a smell that they are not recommended for the other types of systems).

So far this has been an interesting experiment. I was able to rather quickly set up the system. The major challenge has been remembering I have it.

Far too often I find myself sticking my hand down the disposal to retrieve scraps absentmindedly dropped in the sink. They’re now too precious to waste!

BTW- I've noticed composters ARE getting a little more stylish. I'm taking a wait and see attitude - I'm sure I'll have even more attractive, yet useful, options in a year or so.

Bike Decisions- Lamenting The Loss of Magic Moments

2008-05-04T06:17:00.000-07:00

As a child I had two bikes. O.K. I maybe had three bikes, if you count the tricycle, by the time I turned 18.

I was given my first two-wheeler, for my birthday when I was six. My second…a larger 24”, (I’ve no idea why I remember the size.) I was given when I was perhaps 9 or 10. And that was it until college when I bought my own, which was subsequently stolen when I, rather stupidly left it chained overnight in the bike rack at my inner city university... what was I thinking?

The one with which I replaced the stolen bike was my last. A few years later I discovered rollerblading and I’ve felt little need to buy another bike. Actually I haven’t found a reason to buy another pair of roller blades either come to think of it. I’m only on my second pair in 20 years.

In contrast, my child, at 6, has had:

2 ride on toys

1 tricycle

2 bikes

1 scooter

1 pair of roller blades

And, based on the various riding apparatus I see in other people’s homes, he is perhaps under privileged. No, we didn’t get him a Big Wheel, or a $250.00 motorized vehicle or those new bikes without pedals that are all the rage. He still has his 3-wheel scooter and he only ever had one tricycle. But, his list is still longer than mine at that age…way longer.

In today’s world we parents of course, have been suckered into purchasing a lot more stuff. Ride on toys in infinite variety assail us at Toys R Us. Electric vehicles have become a must have for the suburban set. Rollerblades, scooters, skateboards and the accompanying equipment are made in ever smaller sizes.

It’s a bit sad. Those itty bitty two wheelers consign that magic “first bike” moment to the netherworld of a three-year-olds memory – not likely to be remembered much longer. Too bad because that was a moment that those of us born in an earlier age savor.

Now, as my son rides on his new “big boy” bike, it’s just another vehicle. He’s had a bike to call his own for years now. This is just the new one to be replaced by the next “new one” and then the next.

It’s just tougher to make “magic moments” these days.

Wondering about Waldorf

2008-05-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

I spent last Sunday at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books which I have wanted to attend …oh, since I moved to LA almost 20 years ago. Unused to the traffic and logistics and the crowds required to do just about anything in this town I’d demurred until last weekend. Though, I’ve often expressed regret.

Demurring wasn’t an option when my friend Crystal ~~roped me into~~ asked me to help her at her Barefoot Books stand. Though I didn’t get to see much of the festival due to an injury that kept me in the booth, often with my foot propped up, I did get to talk to a lot of people…mostly moms, often of very young children.

Barefoot Books tend to attract parents interested in well…what everyone else is not interested in. One woman asked me if a certain book was popular. Misunderstanding her question, I said, “Yes, that one is one of our best sellers.”

“No”, she said. “I mean, Can you buy it at Barnes and Noble?”

My kind of gal and no, you can’t. This, in her mind (and mine) is a good thing. I think she was looking for something unique. I’m almost always looking for something that’s not overly commercial, nurturing, educational and well written.

This type of book attracts a class of moms who are, not surprisingly, often also interested in Waldorf Education. One mom of an infant announced that she was a “crunchy mom” and was considering a Waldorf preschool. To which I happily replied that we had attended one for two years.

I also shared that we had decided not to pursue Waldorf education because I felt we were “not crunchy enough”

“Oh, I’m REALLY crunchy” she replied blithely.

Well… we watch videos on occasion I told her and watched the look of astonishment cross her face. My crunchy mom, it turned out is a big fan of baby videos.

Hmmm. This encounter and a post over at Anthromama got me thinking about the perception of Waldorf education. Populated by organic food eating, holistic and attachment parenting Moms…Waldorf doesn’t really espouse any of these things. In fact, some of the main tenets of Waldorf schooling are positively anathema to the principles of attachment parenting.

Waldorf education started by and now based on the writings of Rudolph Steiner has morphed from a style of education to a bastion of crunchydom. And…is, perhaps on its way back.

More and more parents are adopting what was once considered a an alternative lifestyle.

Eating organic

Limiting or eliminating media until middle school or beyond

Following Holistic medicine in whole or in part

Going Green

Practicing attachment parenting

Unschooling or homeschooling

The list perhaps goes on. What’s striking is that all of these things don’t necessarily go together. Adopting one or two of these lifestyles doesn’t’ mean that you adopt them all. And so, we parents looking for the perfect school for our children, come to the crushing realization, say around kindergarten age, that…it’s not out there.

Sigh. There is not school where our kids will be with other children of other parents, “just like us”. We’ll have to fight the commercial monster, or put up with unhealthy eating habits or cringe at different discipline styles in most schools. Or, we’ll be on the other end and find ourselves defending our TV watching or attachment parenting lifestyle.

This is perhaps just the way the world works.

Film Review : A Plumm Summer

2008-04-26T11:45:00.001-07:00

Since my son is a little older now, we allow him to watch videos on weekends. We’re still a no TV family but, he and my husband particularly enjoy watching movies. I enjoy the fact that I can control what he watches.

Though we have rented newer movies from time to time, I find that in general…I don’t like them! This keeps us from movie theaters but expands our horizons in the area of video viewing.

How? Well, rather than search for the latest movie- we look back to older movies, particularly those made before the totally arbitrary date of 1975.

Why? Because, in general, I find that newer movies encourage disrespectful behavior. That is, the children and/or animated figures use words and behavior that is well…not what I’m trying to teach my child.

So, it was with some hesitation I agreed to review A Plumm Summer directed by Caroline Zelderfor Mothertalk. Actors William Baldwin and Henry Winkler star and the story is based on a true event that happened in the life of the screenwriter, T.J. Lynch.

The story revolves around a family of children who set up to help rescue a kidnapped puppet – “Froggy Doo” the star of a local children’s show. The premise of course, brings back memories of the local shows produced in my home town which, included Mr. Roger’s neighborhood – so I had a positive feeling before turning on the DVD.

I very much enjoyed the movie as it harks back to the feel-good family movies with which I grew up. I laughed and smiled and was impressed with the simple story line and believable characters.

On the other hand, I won’t take my six-year-old to see this movie yet. Rated PG, it is, I believe more suited for older children. The story revolves around a 13-year old boy his 5-year-old brother and the girl next door. So, there’s some “young love” some typical 13-year-old behavior and a little more “examples of bad behavior” than I would really like my son to see yet.

This is perhaps an “oldest child” issue. Had he an older sibling I’m sure he would already have learned a wide variety of ways to be mildly disrespectful.

But for older children this is a great movie. It has enough suspense and action to entertain and has some nice scenes of a family over coming their unique problems. So, definitely take your tween to go see this movie and perhaps a younger sibling but, save it for later if your oldest is under 9.

The movie opens in theatres in California, Minnesota and Alabama this weekend. It’s well worth a trip so check your local listings!

Decorating with Fish

2008-04-23T06:12:00.000-07:00

Though I grew up with a variety of pets, mostly furry ones, I had the ~~misfortune~~ lack of foresight to marry someone with allergies to most types of "companion animals". And so I've blundered along for a number of years sans pets.

Until now.

Though I may eventually explore the wide world of reptiles and amphibians, I've started by buying a fish. A Betta fish. Yes, yes, I know - a fish is a far cry from a cuddly cat or dog but, a Betta fish has other qualities.

It makes a great household decor item!

Rather than buy a fish bowl, my fish's home is a rarely used "floating candle bowl"( a relic of the time before I had kids when I could actually consider using floating candles without worrying about the house burning down). You can just as easily use a large vase, a glass ice bowl or even an old spaghetti sauce jar since Betta fish actually prefer small spaces.

Our bowl is tastefully decorated with colored glass stones and a tiny castle for our fish, Atlantis. Artfully arranged in a grouping of fresh flowers and a crystal decanter, I think even Martha Stewert would be proud.

For more great Works for me Wednesday ideas visit Rocks in My Dryer

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Top 5 Reasons to Turn On The Tube - Just Not During TV Turnoff Week

2008-04-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

Since my regular readers know that we don’t have broadcast television and allow our son to only watch occasional videos, you might expect me to give a list of reasons to not watch TV. Been there; done that…

You can read a summary of some of the (negative) side effects of watching too much TV here.

Or – you can read some of the (positive) side effects of not watching TV at all here.

Or you can visit a hundred other websites this week to find out things to do instead of watching TV. I really can’t think of too many more projects…there are always lots of things to do instead of TV and lots of places to find them. That’s why last week, in preparation for The TV Turnoff fest, I wrote a step by step plan for vanquishing TV:

TV Turn-OFF Week – Cutting Back is Good Enough

Since this weekend, my son, for various reasons spent far too much time in front of the tube watching videos (we allow watching on weekends) I started thinking about WHY we “plug our kids in”. I mean, it starts in infancy or early childhood. They don’t just jump up one day and start whining about watching TV. It is WE parents who first place them in front of the TV. We watch them clap and smile over Sesame Street.

And, of course, these things have a tendency to get out of hand. Before you know it, we’re flipping on that set for reasons we would have never considered ….had we thought about it. Which we don’t. Or at least I don’t very often.

Today I thought I would. Because we have strict limits on TV, not a “no TV” policy, I have to be on my guard. I actually DO think about why plopping him in front of the TV. I DO mentally add up the amount of time he’s watched. I DO try to figure out if my reason is good enough.

I’ve found that they vary but, here are my top 5.

When I’m packing for a trip

To get some paid work done
When I’ve been with him, by myself, for 48 hours straight and need a break
When he is sick and I’ve occupied him for 5 hours straight.
When I need to have a “discussion” with my spouse

And, I’ve decided this is a useful list. Rather than wonder endlessly what my reason is to plop him in front of the TV, if it doesn’t fall on this list, I won’t.

I’ll surely find plenty of other activities for him to do, or us to do or the whole family to do. And I’ll remember that childhood is so short I surely won’t want to miss much.

The Dangers of Being Crafty – Toes, Tetanus and Timing

2008-04-18T12:35:00.000-07:00

I’ve been offline for quite awhile this week…recuperating. Why, well, in an attempt to avoid junky party favors for my son’s birthday party last month, I made capes for the guests…using a needle and thread. One of the needles was a looong embroidery needle.

It ended up in my foot. Five weeks later! Broken off and removed from the top as opposed to the bottom where it went in. (No more details…too gory!)

Sigh. Note to self: Keep sewing supplies out of the bedroom.

It was interesting for me to note that, all of my crunchy friends urged a quick visit to the emergency room and a tetanus shot…ASAP. These are my friends who do not vaccinate their children and avoid medications as much as possible.

But, this time, no waffling around, “Get that shot!” they said.

So, of course, now I need to check out what exactly is in a tetanus shot.(I did get it, incidentally so my analysis is a little after the fact.)

To my dismay, I read here that a tetanus shot doesn’t guarantee that I won’t get tetanus. And, of course, a deep puncture wound

(which is what I managed to acquire) is the type of wound most likely to develop tetanus. Sigh.

It is an article of faith, widely accepted by doctors and patients alike, that tetanus is almost invariably fatal, especially if the person is not vaccinated. Before I knew better, and because the "standard of care" dictates that every cut gets a tetanus shot, I handed these shots out like candy, believing it was better to "over protect" than to risk the development of a "fatal" case of tetanus.

Hmmm…I’m not sure of the credentials of the author but this sure sounds like modern medicine.So, I checked out what the FDA had to say.

Tetanus is an acute, often fatal disease that occurs worldwide. It affects the central nervous system, producing both … stiffness or muscular rigidity …and convulsive muscle spasm.

Yikes!

But then I found a little more interesting information that makes me wonder why I bothered.

1) Scientific evidence shows that too frequent tetanus boosters actually may interfere with the immune reaction.

2) There has been a gradual retreat of even the most conservative authorities from giving tetanus boosters every one year to every two years to every five years to every 10 years (as now recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics), and according to some, every 20 years. All these numbers are based on guesses rather than on hard scientific evidence.

3) There has been a growing recognition that no controlled scientific study (in which half the patients were given the vaccine and the other half were given injections of sterile water) has ever been carried out to prove the safety and effectiveness of the tetanus vaccine. Evidence for the vaccine comes from epidemiologic studies which are by nature controversial and which do not satisfy the criteria for scientific proof.

4) The tetanus vaccine over the decades has been progressively weakened in order to reduce the considerable reaction (fever and swelling) it used to cause. Accompanying this reduction in reactivity has been a concomitant reduction in antigenicity (the ability to confer protection). Therefore, there is a good chance that today’s tetanus vaccine is about as effective as tap water.

Why do I bother looking this stuff up!

Assorted Product Reviews

2008-04-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

I have a few product reviews up on my review blog that you may want to check out.

Book Review: Only Child

The Senseo Coffee Maker

Baby Jamz microphone

It's an interesting selection of products- One of which I really liked....

Tips on Spacing Vaccinations

2008-04-09T06:03:00.000-07:00

I actually wrote about this first over at EcoChild's Play but, some of the comments piqued my interest and I thought I would write about it again.

Many of us never give a thought as to whether to vaccinate or not but, more and more we know people who don''t vaccinate and so begin to wonder.

I would be one of those people who wonder.

That resulted in my dithering around trying to figure out what to do and a lot of research. What I found was that many of the vaccines that babies and young children receive are given at that time for diseases to which they will not be exposed for oh say 10 years.

It's convenience for the state really. Parents are most likely to take a baby religiously to the pediatrician and, more frequently than one would guess turn into slackers as the years pass. ( I admit, I have been guilty of missing an annual check up.)

And so, they inundate you with vaccines early on.

But, you can resist. Yup, I did. We did vaccinate but, not on schedule...we're still a little behind 6 years later. ( In my state and in most, you can fill out a form to avoid submitting proof of vaccinations before entering kindergarten.) All we had to do was ask our pediatrician to wait on each shot...sometimes things are simpler than they seem.

OK- so this may be old news to many of you. What is new, for me anyway is that you can also split out vaccines that are typically given as one shot...like the MMR but, it's not that easy.

Dr. Bob Sears, the author of The Vaccine Book in the Sears Parenting Library Series, says:

Many parents now want to split up the MMR vaccine into separate components and give them separated each by a year. However, a doctor can’t order just single doses of each shot through the regular channels. but, fortunately he has some recommendations too!

Go to a vaccine clinic at a large university hospital.
Go to a travel clinic where people usually go to get unusual travel vaccines prior to international travel. Some of these carry the separate M, M, and R.
Ask your doctor to write you a prescription for each shot and try to get it filled through a pharmacy. You would bring the shot back to your doctor’s office (making sure you keep it a refrigerator temperature 36 to 46 degrees F or 2 to 8 degrees Celsius) for the nurse to administer.
Ask for a prescription, but get it filled through an online medical supply company or online pharmacy. They can ship it directly to your doctor’s office (shipping isn’t cheap though). One such company that I know of is American Medicine, Inc. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. You can find them on Google.
Check out our Vaccine-Friendly Doctor’s list to see if there’s anyone within driving distance for you. They typically would need you to become a patient and get checkups there in order to provide you with vaccines.
If you can’t find the separate shots anywhere, ask your doctor to start a list of like-minded patients and just skip the full MMR for now. Chances are over the next year or two the list will grow to include 10 patients. Delaying your baby’s protection for a year wouldn’t be too risky since the diseases are very rare.

For more great Works For Me Wednesday ideas visit Rocks in My Dryer.

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Photo courtesy: State of Florida Dept. of Health.

The Summer Camp Issue - As In “Issue”!

2008-04-08T04:48:00.000-07:00

Still grappling with the realities of no longer having a toddler content to wander around with me all day, I’ve been trying to figure out: “What to do with my child for the summer”.

Now, given my druthers, (Druthers appeared in my “Word-of-The-Day” last week…just had to use it!) I’d keep him home with me all day or plan a variety of activities which we could do together. But, I have an only child and children, not surprisingly, like to play with other children…as I have found.

And so, I’m looking into camps to keep my kindergartener occupied during summer vacation - just for a week or two. Now, I KNOW I wrote a long post about organized sports and activities for young children a year or so ago. But, hey, you know, he’s six…I think this time he’s ready! Really.

But am I? Unlike last year, when I was abysmally late signing up for anything – (h\How was I to know you needed to you needed to plan 6 months in advance and be waiting by the mailbox for the flyer to get a spot?) I’m on it!

I carefully perused our local parenting magazines, which all have their camp issues this month. Sixty six tabloid size pages in the local Kids Guide http://www.kidsguide.info/ ! Does this seem excessive to you? Highlighter in hand I marked the pages and started checking out the costs.

Two hundred and sixty five dollars a week? For day camp? For 5 hours per day? (And yes, my husband had a somewhat louder and more colorful reaction when he heard about the cost.) Scratch that one.

One hundred fifty per week? That sounds better. No wait, that only sounds better in comparison. Let me see. So, I consult with my friend, Tan, who knows these sorts of things.

“Well,” she says. “I always compare it to babysitting costs. Does it average out to $10.00 per hour? Then it’s right in line.”

Oh.

It could be an expensive summer. Sometimes I’m glad I have an only child.