greenmoms
going green as
mothers
by Alison Parker
I can remember when my son was only an seems so peaceful and content with all that
armful. I spent hours on the rocking chair to put we’ve provided. But is it really good for her?
him to sleep, to feed him, to just hold him. It be- Our challenge should be to raise our children
came his favorite place, and I must admit, it was with a fair balance of the innovations today wi-
mine too. Many times I caught myself staring out thout forgetting to be mothers of great conviction
the window while I rocked him there dreaming for the world tomorrow. To help you get started
about his future. What will his voice sound like towards becoming a green-friendly mother, I
when he starts talking? When is he fi nally going have three suggestions, easy to remember and
to sleep through the night? And as he grows ol- easy to do: Share, Care, Dare.
der, will he ever fall in love? Will the world be
kind to him? Share. The next time you stop to instruct
We can dream about our children’s futures all your toddler to share, take a moment to remem-
day practically. I have recently found myself more ber the importance of implementing green sha-
and more convicted about my role in preserving ring habits. Sharing is a great way we mothers
our world for his tomorrow. It is so easy to forget can help the environment. As your baby grows
about taking care of our earth when motherhood up and so out of her clothes, crib, toys, or high-
has gone through such a major revolution. The chair try to pass them on for another new mother
changes vary from cloth to disposable, from to use. If you are the new mother, graciously ac-
wash boards to washing machines, from hand cept hand-me-downs and utilize yard sales. You
made to store bought, from wooden blocks to” will be surprised to fi nd what some people are
Tickle-Me-Elmo”. Things were simpler, quieter, willing to give away at a next to nothing price. A
yet harder then. helpful hint is to hit up yard sales in higher scale
All of our conveniences today make mothering housing. You will fi nd bigger name products and
so much easier. More time is freed up for us to more for your money. Online you can also fi nd
have careers, have a life. Unfortunately, our over ways to share your baby items from bib to strol-
consumption could be hurting our little one’s to- ler. Go to
www.freecycle.org and you can give
morrows. Sure, today looks good, and the baby and take from this non profi t organization.
22 OUR GREEN BOOK
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