Green Treehouse

Regardless of your doctor’s stance on whether you should paint the nursery during pregnancy or assign the task to someone else, expecting parents (and parents of children in general) should know that eco-friendly paint options exist, which present lower risks of exposure to hazardous chemicals and toxic fumes. Remember, “eco-friendly” or not, it’s always a good idea to make sure the room you’re painting has adequate ventilation (i.e. keep the windows open) to help with any fumes.

To see what paint brands earn eco-friendly marks, check out this news report.

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It’s Father’s Day, and if you’re looking for last minute “earth-friendly” ways to make the day special for a new Dad, consider these ideas:

1. Hit the Movie Theater. If he hasn’t had a chance to get his movie fill since a baby has come into his life, treat him to a movie–with baby (the baby may very well sleep through the entire movie)! There’s no waste in this gift…well, except maybe the popcorn carton.

2. Plant a tree. This special occasion is the perfect day to plant a tree (or other plant) together. Dad can watch the tree grow over the years, always remembering his first Father’s Day.

3. Get Outside. Whether Dad goes for a stroller walk with baby, a family picnic, or hike with baby in tow, there’s nothing quite like spending family time outdoors.

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I just picked up a copy of Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home (2008). I’m so impressed by the book that I feel compelled to tell you about it before I’ve even finished reading it. The book is a smart mom’s (and dad’s) guide to eco-friendly/natural living, filled with helpful information and tips contributed by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Brooke Shields and Kate Hudson. The book is well-written, and offers easy-to-read advice on creating a nontoxic home for you and your baby.

For example, there’s a handy “Under-sink Makeover” chart, which helps you figure out what you should have under your sink–and what you should throw out. According to the book, for one-quarter the price, half the volume and twice the peace of mind, you can have a “Green” cabinet. Since little ones love exploring cabinets once they get moving, there’s no doubt a green cabinet takes away a lot of worry.

Whether you’re expecting your first baby or already have several children, this book is the perfect primer for creating a safer home and understanding why “Green” matters.

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A lot of moms (and dads, too) have been asking this question lately. Consumerism has long had a bad rap–at least when mixed into a discussion about saving the Earth’s resources. But going green through buying green can be a good thing, especially when it comes to buying things you’d ordinarily buy. Like diapers and wipes.

Going green doesn’t have to mean throwing out everything you already own and starting new. Although you can certainly do that. For me, part of going green means making conscious choices, from now going forward, when it comes to buying for my family and growing babies. It means looking beyond a price tag and asking sometimes difficult questions, like is this really better for my baby?; Is paying a few cents more now worth the potential health and environmental benefits?; Will buying ‘x’ over ‘y’ send a message to the manufacturer about my concerns?

Moms are powerful. Maybe even more powerful than they realize. The decisions we make have the potential to have huge impacts on the planet and on future generations. So, the next time you opt to buy an organic product for your family or an eco-friendly product for your baby–or even spend a few extra seconds thinking about the consequences of a purchase, keep in mind that you are making a difference through spending money. Consumerism doesn’t have to be a bad thing, especially when you’re buying things you’d purchase anyway, like baby essentials, and buying with green in mind.

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