From what I see around me there are (mostly) mothers (some fathers) who are whizzing around the country 'filling' their childrens days with classes after school, before school, tiny babies going off to nursery, staying at home with nannies, doing anything other than just hanging out with mum. But isn't this what is vital for what children need to promote a healthy emotional mind? Rudolf Steiner suggested that upto the age of 7 children are in the phase of imitation. So do we ever slow down enough to question who are our children imitating if they are being whizzed all over the country/towns? They are hyper, we are hyper, and I sometimes feel we do what suits us rather than tuning into our kids and seeing what it is they need? Hanging out with mum or hanging out in a nursery, or class of some sort?
Do you ever stop to consider what is your child/ren absorbing from their daily life? Children are like little sense sponges sucking up what ever is going on around them. What they see, hear, feel and look at they are absorbing on a far greater level than we have ever realised before.
Is therefore our palming off our children to others and the ability to fill their days no matter what age, creating emotional instability within our children? Why are more children on anti-depressants than ever before?
I'm not wanting to point the finger I'm wanting to initiate change, I'm wanting us to question what we are doing - before we run off to the next music class, mother and toddler class I want you to stop and ask yourself do I really need to do this? And maybe you do for your own sanity, but maybe there is another option. Maybe we can slow down and gently get off the manic train journey that we all seem to be on, maybe we can say today we are going to bake bread. Today we are going run through the autumn leaves, today we are going to splish, splash through puddles, today we are not going to get into the car.
I notice that when I follow this pattern, Arlo and I end the day happier, calmer and more intune with each other. It feels good to my core and I hope it does to him too.
Sunday, 26 September 2010
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
How to Avoid Plastic
Even though it is very difficult to avoid plastic altogether in todays society, there are many safe options. Glass, stainless steel, waxed paper, bamboo, wood, ceramics, earthenware and china are good alternatives. Below are some ideas on how to avoid plastic particularly in regards to babies and children:
Avoid plastic and aluminium epoxy (bpa) lined drink bottles. Only use glass or Stainless Steel baby bottles and Sippy Cups such as the Klean Kanteen Sippy
Give your baby toys made from natural fabrics and materials instead of plastic ones
Store your food and beverages in non plastic containers
Don't microwave food in a plastic container and never microwave anything covered in plastic wrap
Wrap meat and cheese in waxed paper to stop it drying out rather than plastic wrap.
Get rid of your plastic dishes and cups, and replace them with glass, stainless steel or ceramic/china varieties
If you have any plastic kitchenware, discard any items that are scratched or worn.
Avoid buying and using bottled water; filter your own using a reverse osmosis filter instead, and use reusable Stainless Steel Water Bottles like the Klean Kanteen
When shopping try to avoid food in packaged plastic or cans (the lining of cans contains BPA). Also be aware that the lids of jarred foods can contain BPA on the lining of inside of the lid.
Make your own homemade baby food, and freeze in stainless steel or silicon icecube trays, or in dollops on silicone baking sheets, then store in airtight glass containers once solid.
Don't buy PVC toys, or if you do, check with the manufacturer first to see if they contain phthalates of organotin compounds.
Do not buy baby bibs made with PVC (Vinyl) wipe clean coatings.
Useful Links:
The Dirty Truth about Plastic
PVC the poisioness plastic
The Bisphenol-A Debate: A Suspect Chemical in Plastic Bottles and Cans
Plastic: Everyday Use, Everyday Risk
(Source: www.littleacornstomightyoaks.co.uk - where you can get plastic free bottles, cups, plates etc etc)
Avoid plastic and aluminium epoxy (bpa) lined drink bottles. Only use glass or Stainless Steel baby bottles and Sippy Cups such as the Klean Kanteen Sippy
Give your baby toys made from natural fabrics and materials instead of plastic ones
Store your food and beverages in non plastic containers
Don't microwave food in a plastic container and never microwave anything covered in plastic wrap
Wrap meat and cheese in waxed paper to stop it drying out rather than plastic wrap.
Get rid of your plastic dishes and cups, and replace them with glass, stainless steel or ceramic/china varieties
If you have any plastic kitchenware, discard any items that are scratched or worn.
Avoid buying and using bottled water; filter your own using a reverse osmosis filter instead, and use reusable Stainless Steel Water Bottles like the Klean Kanteen
When shopping try to avoid food in packaged plastic or cans (the lining of cans contains BPA). Also be aware that the lids of jarred foods can contain BPA on the lining of inside of the lid.
Make your own homemade baby food, and freeze in stainless steel or silicon icecube trays, or in dollops on silicone baking sheets, then store in airtight glass containers once solid.
Don't buy PVC toys, or if you do, check with the manufacturer first to see if they contain phthalates of organotin compounds.
Do not buy baby bibs made with PVC (Vinyl) wipe clean coatings.
Useful Links:
The Dirty Truth about Plastic
PVC the poisioness plastic
The Bisphenol-A Debate: A Suspect Chemical in Plastic Bottles and Cans
Plastic: Everyday Use, Everyday Risk
(Source: www.littleacornstomightyoaks.co.uk - where you can get plastic free bottles, cups, plates etc etc)
Why is Plastic Bad for us
By now most of us know we should avoid plastic - here is an article I found for anyone who doesn't know this and for anyone who does know and wants to keep themselves up to date:
This week the National Toxicology Program released a new report stating that there is "some concern" to human neurological health that "cannot be dismissed," especially for babies and young children, an upgrade over their report released last fall.
The latest report cited studies in which rats exposed to BPA developed prostate tumors, breast tissue changes, premature puberty, kidney problems, and other health issues.
"It's a scary compound," said Pete Myers, a representative from the Environmental Health Sciences, an agency which studies the relationship between chemical exposures and cancer. Added Myers to reporters, "It's an important step to have a federal agency acknowledge that it has concerns about bisphenol-A and breast cancer and prostate cancer."
This and earlier studies already pointed out the fact that the vast majority of Americans have at least traces of BPA in their bodies. More than 93% of Americans tested had some BPA in their urine.
BPA was originally introduced as an estrogen-mimic, though its use now is primarily reserved for polycarbonate plastic production.
The recent study is not the first to point out the dangers of BPA. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences released a report last summer which indicated that BPA could be causing reproductive harm in lab testing. Their study involved a group of young mice exposed to low levels (lower than is found in most humans) of BPA. When tested later during early adulthood, those exposed to BPA had a much higher incidence of developing reproductive tumors.
Especially concerning is the fact that BPA is found in most plastic baby bottles, and in some sippy cups, as well as lining cans of formula, so babies and young children may be getting higher levels of exposure than adults, during a time of important neurological development.
Not surprisingly, the American Chemistry Council, which represents many plastics manufacturers, had a different take on the wording of there being "some concern" about BPA. The Council released a press statement which read, in part, "[The report] affirms that there are no serious or high level concerns for adverse effects of bisphenol-A on human reproduction and development."
Mmm-hmmm. In the meantime, the government of Canada is considering banning BPA in all products, and some states, including New Jersey, have already issued a ban on the sale of BPA-containing products.
While you’re standing around waiting for the American government to get a clue and ban BPA (don’t hold your breath), here are a few tips – which will look familiar to those of you who read my earlier report – from seven months ago:
* Avoid canned foods such as soups and tomato-based pastas, which had the highest levels of BPA, and canned infant formula, which had over 200 times the recommended safety levels of BPA.
* Check the recycling number on the bottom of plastics. No.7 is most likely to be made of the hard polycarbonate plastics that contain BPA. Numbers 2, 4, and 5 are more likely made of polyethylene, which – so far – has not been shown to be harmful to health. However, just because a government study hasn’t proven harm, it’s still a good idea to exercise caution when using any plastic.
* B-vitamins seem to neutralize the effects of BPA, so take your vitamins!
* Baby bottles and sippy cups had high levels of BPA as well, so avoiding these might be a good idea. Pliable, "cloudy" plastics such as the Medela brand baby bottles don’t contain BPA.
* Some plastic wraps contain BPA, so check the labels for "BPA-free" wraps.
(source:2008 Anastacia Mott Austin www.buzzle.com/articles/bpa-in-plastic-really-is-bad-for-you.html)
This week the National Toxicology Program released a new report stating that there is "some concern" to human neurological health that "cannot be dismissed," especially for babies and young children, an upgrade over their report released last fall.
The latest report cited studies in which rats exposed to BPA developed prostate tumors, breast tissue changes, premature puberty, kidney problems, and other health issues.
"It's a scary compound," said Pete Myers, a representative from the Environmental Health Sciences, an agency which studies the relationship between chemical exposures and cancer. Added Myers to reporters, "It's an important step to have a federal agency acknowledge that it has concerns about bisphenol-A and breast cancer and prostate cancer."
This and earlier studies already pointed out the fact that the vast majority of Americans have at least traces of BPA in their bodies. More than 93% of Americans tested had some BPA in their urine.
BPA was originally introduced as an estrogen-mimic, though its use now is primarily reserved for polycarbonate plastic production.
The recent study is not the first to point out the dangers of BPA. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences released a report last summer which indicated that BPA could be causing reproductive harm in lab testing. Their study involved a group of young mice exposed to low levels (lower than is found in most humans) of BPA. When tested later during early adulthood, those exposed to BPA had a much higher incidence of developing reproductive tumors.
Especially concerning is the fact that BPA is found in most plastic baby bottles, and in some sippy cups, as well as lining cans of formula, so babies and young children may be getting higher levels of exposure than adults, during a time of important neurological development.
Not surprisingly, the American Chemistry Council, which represents many plastics manufacturers, had a different take on the wording of there being "some concern" about BPA. The Council released a press statement which read, in part, "[The report] affirms that there are no serious or high level concerns for adverse effects of bisphenol-A on human reproduction and development."
Mmm-hmmm. In the meantime, the government of Canada is considering banning BPA in all products, and some states, including New Jersey, have already issued a ban on the sale of BPA-containing products.
While you’re standing around waiting for the American government to get a clue and ban BPA (don’t hold your breath), here are a few tips – which will look familiar to those of you who read my earlier report – from seven months ago:
* Avoid canned foods such as soups and tomato-based pastas, which had the highest levels of BPA, and canned infant formula, which had over 200 times the recommended safety levels of BPA.
* Check the recycling number on the bottom of plastics. No.7 is most likely to be made of the hard polycarbonate plastics that contain BPA. Numbers 2, 4, and 5 are more likely made of polyethylene, which – so far – has not been shown to be harmful to health. However, just because a government study hasn’t proven harm, it’s still a good idea to exercise caution when using any plastic.
* B-vitamins seem to neutralize the effects of BPA, so take your vitamins!
* Baby bottles and sippy cups had high levels of BPA as well, so avoiding these might be a good idea. Pliable, "cloudy" plastics such as the Medela brand baby bottles don’t contain BPA.
* Some plastic wraps contain BPA, so check the labels for "BPA-free" wraps.
(source:2008 Anastacia Mott Austin www.buzzle.com/articles/bpa-in-plastic-really-is-bad-for-you.html)
Agressive Toys
I walked about The Early Learning Centre yesterday for the first time in a while (mabye a couple of years to be precise!) but what struck me as I wandered around was, 1. the sensory overload of brightness and plastic, 2. the feeling of aggression from all the toys - in the way that they are so in ones face and 3. a sense of feeling overwhelmed by the whole experience. I know I was in a shop and surrounded by it all, but I had a similar experience in going to someones house with my 18month old nephew where plastic toys were in an abundance. He just sat not knowing where to look or what to play with because it was all so overwhelming (flashing lights, different noises, screeching, bright un-nutral colours). I have to add that the owners of the toys were running from toy to toy spending hardly any time with any of them and chucking them on the floor when they had had enough of them...hummmmmm good playing???!!! I think not!
Now, I know that I am probably in a minority here but when one really stops and looks at what we are putting infront of children to play with do we really stop and slow down enough to think is this nurturing for my child? After all this I did buy Arlo a plastic phone - shock horror! Well, he plays with ours, has broken ours and as someone said the other day the world is half plastic so we can't ignore it all the time - what it comes back to for me is bringing a sense of balance into all our lives.
Now, I know that I am probably in a minority here but when one really stops and looks at what we are putting infront of children to play with do we really stop and slow down enough to think is this nurturing for my child? After all this I did buy Arlo a plastic phone - shock horror! Well, he plays with ours, has broken ours and as someone said the other day the world is half plastic so we can't ignore it all the time - what it comes back to for me is bringing a sense of balance into all our lives.
Monday, 20 September 2010
At the Beginning
In my eyes parenting seems to have lost its way - not totally but there is something that is feeling out of sorts. In my eyes our lives are consumed by the pressure of modern society by: keeping our children constantly 'entertained', feeling stressed as parents, feeling like we are chasing our tails, rushing here there and everywhere, being 'perfect' parents/husbands/wives, feeling exhausted, using the TV as a nanny, need I say more?! We read books that tell us how to parent, we get 'experts' in to tell us what to do with our babies - TOTALLY ignoring our very present inbuilt perfectly made intuition. I believe the art of mothering has been temporarily lost.
I was therefore not surprised at all to read in the papers the other week about children as young as 3 suffering from depression. What is going on??? This is CRAZY - and not only are the children depressed, the adults are too - no surprise there. What a sad and sorry state of affairs we have got ourselves into.
This has so riled me that I am starting The Slow Parenting Movement - to try and bring the pendulum back into balance. I feel desperately sorry for our children (and the parents - but it us who the buck stops with and so it up to us to help ourselves and our future generations).
Our current society is in a bad way - we can see it in the alcohol addiction - particularly in teenagers, our society is more depressed than ever before, children know more about TV and adverts than their own families. SO if you want to join me I would LOVE it.
Thanks to the wonders of research we are learning so much more and this for me is the light at the end of the tunnel because if we can educate our selves we can act accordingly and change how we do things.
Enough for now - but I urge to ponder on what Slow Parenting looks like to you, and how much do you think you implement it in your current life? Could you do more, and what would that look like to you?
Much love, Nixie x
I was therefore not surprised at all to read in the papers the other week about children as young as 3 suffering from depression. What is going on??? This is CRAZY - and not only are the children depressed, the adults are too - no surprise there. What a sad and sorry state of affairs we have got ourselves into.
This has so riled me that I am starting The Slow Parenting Movement - to try and bring the pendulum back into balance. I feel desperately sorry for our children (and the parents - but it us who the buck stops with and so it up to us to help ourselves and our future generations).
Our current society is in a bad way - we can see it in the alcohol addiction - particularly in teenagers, our society is more depressed than ever before, children know more about TV and adverts than their own families. SO if you want to join me I would LOVE it.
Thanks to the wonders of research we are learning so much more and this for me is the light at the end of the tunnel because if we can educate our selves we can act accordingly and change how we do things.
Enough for now - but I urge to ponder on what Slow Parenting looks like to you, and how much do you think you implement it in your current life? Could you do more, and what would that look like to you?
Much love, Nixie x
Saturday, 7 August 2010
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