For several months I’ve been eagerly awaiting the launch of
Women’s Voices for the Earth’s new Green Momma Parties! They’re a spin-off of
WVE’s Green Cleaning Parties, which gave people all the tools they needed to
make their own cleaners and reduce the amount of chemicals in their homes. The
Green Momma Parties are designed for baby showers, parents’ groups or
get-togethers with friends. They’re all about educating parents about reducing
toxic chemicals in the home, while empowering them to become advocates for
safer products at the same time.
This winter I found out that I’m expecting again. For those
who didn’t know yet, surpriiiiise!! I’m due at the end of September and it’s a
boy again, and yes, I’m completely unprepared for the chaos of having 2 kids. I’m
the type of person who can anticipate how much chaos there will be, and instead
of furiously trying to figure things out for myself, I look for tools to make
things easier. That, and I procrastinate. The Green Momma Party Guide is one of
those tools, because it gives you totally manageable, affordable solutions that
anyone can do, no matter where you live or how much money you have. Awesome.
One piece of advice in the guide that I thought was super
valuable is this: “wash your baby simply with castile soap and water.” With my
first baby, we used the Johnson & Johnson soap that the hospital sent us
home with, and bathed him about every other day. He ended up with horrible
eczema and cradle cap, and still has flair ups now and then. Now, we make sure
we only use castile soap and water with him, and limit baths to twice a week.
For anyone whose children are having skin troubles, try this first before
trying out other skin care solutions. We found that it really cleared things
up.
These tidbits of advice are best learned from other moms,
and WVE recognizes that new moms learn best from other moms. That’s why I think
the Green Momma Parties are so genius—they provide accurate, scientific information
and recipes tested by experts, but encourage a format that allows women to
empower and support each other.
It is estimated that between 80,000 and 85,000 chemicals are
in use in the environment in United States, yet only about 200 of these
chemicals have been tested for safety. Women’s Voices for the Earth believes
that all products, especially those for vulnerable populations like babies,
should be safe and non-toxic.
To sign up to host a party, go to www.womensvoices.org. And while you’re
there, sign up to become a member and consider donating to this fabulous organization!
**Disclosure, I am a paid
communications consultant for Women’s Voices for the Earth, and they are one of my favorite clients
