Picking our Battles: This Green Mom’s Advice

Written by greenandcleanmom on Sep - 10 | Comments | Related : Green Parenting

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My son started Kindergarten yesterday and yes I cried. Except this post isn’t about my motherhood emotions (I have them) but rather how those of you that are concerned about toxins, healthy schools and protecting your children within moderation without going nutso or being too overprotected can handle this school year. It seems overwhelming and scary but we cannot keep our children under our wings forever and no matter what there are toxins in our world and our children will eat hot dogs with nitrates in them at birthday parties and cotton candy with fructose corn syrup and artificial coloring AND they will be okay but yes we have legitimate concerns and our kids don’t do this stuff everyday so what do you do as they spread their wings and move on from you?

Here’s a message I received from a friend of mine:

“I’ve been thinking about you as I navigate the issue of chemicals in my daughter’s classroom. My biggest gripe right now is that they have the children use Clorox wipes to wipe down their desks. I’ve been doing some research and I think my best defense is that the container says in bold print “Keep out of reach of children”. The teacher was fine when I asked if my daughter could use her own non-toxic wipes that I would supply. I’m also concerned about the fumes etc. Have you had any issues with your kids being in school yet? Other issues are antibacterial soap, hand santitizer, food full of GMOs, pesticides, partially hydrogenated oil, etc, routine spraying for bugs, lysol disenfecting spray, etc. AHHHHHHHHHhhhhh!”

My response to her that I have decided to share because I feel it is timely for all of us:

“For the kids I pick my battles carefully because I will never win all of them right now. The day care uses diluted bleach because of the health department – I control the lunch, sunscreen, bug stuff. They do not use clorox wipes and I am not okay with the soap or hand sanitizer and pack my own CleanWell sanitizer for the kids. In addition, I created a huge list of alternatives as well as pesticide resources and options when they sprayed for wasps. I plant many seeds and let the teachers and providers know I am there to find alternatives or provide them with education and information when they are ready. Making myself accessible is the key.

For the public school that my son will started: they use a “greener” option for cleaning. All disinfectants are toxic, however, there are less toxic and safer options and our district does an okay job with this. My biggest concerns are a) the wipes b) hand sanitizer this year. I did not get a list but plan on offering to buy CleanWell for the room for the year – per principal approval. See: http://www.cleanwelltoday.com/ Other friends who have tried this in other states have been told no so be prepared.

I will yes send my own Shaklee or Method wipes and offer to provide these as well. Yes, a cost but I am not sure what else to do if I want to control the environment more. The other thing I am intending on doing is buying http://www.shaklee.net/sommer/product/55102 and having this travel with each child as they move classrooms. An investment in my opinion but no it is NOT cheap.

I’ve really taken a look at this issue and started to realize the kids are going to eat bad food when I am not around and that is okay because the majority of the time I am in control and they eat great! I pack them great lunches, waste free and for the most part no plastic. I chose pesticide free when possible and offer suggestions, ideas and alternatives to the teachers.

I plan on working hard on this for the years to come and hope there will be changes but with the H1N1 this fall will be a battle – I am sure!

I hope I helped.”

I think it is very important to remember that we as parents do have to advocate for our children but also not drive away those that are working very hard to provide a quality education for our children and that have our children’s best intention at heart. I’ve said this over and over but we are not all at the same place when it comes to going green but I’ve learned almost all people do care about kids and do not want to harm them – they just have a different education, prespective and come frome a different way of thinking but there is common ground so just pick your battles.

Share and Enjoy:

Mama’s a Green Freak

Triclosan and a Non-Toxic Classroom

Janelle Sorensen

Great advice, Sommer! Choosing battles, making yourself available, and, I would add, being as sweet and smiley as possible. School personnel are trying to do their best (for the most part) and are over-worked and under-paid. Compliment them for every little good thing they do - green related and unrelated. Kindness can take you a long way! And, have patience, immense patience and perseverance.

And for those concerned about the use of bleach, most state policies recommend, but don't require, diluted bleach for fulfilling sanitation requirements. Since it's typically the only recommendation listed, people assume it's the only option. Find out the exact language of your local policy and see if it allows for other options. Still, sometimes a regulator will read the law differently. It's a sticky situation. Cover all your bases to ensure the school or daycare is not fined - or worse. Do your research so the school/daycare doesn't have to do so much.

Rain Water Collection

Super great Article. I never thought about the wipes they give our kids at school. The food they eat at school does scare me. I want to get me one of those ozonators for my fridge. I wish they would go with more organic foods and healthier choices at school.

Tiffany@Mommy Goes Green

Thank you for the sensible thoughts. I have approached the administration at my daughter's preschool about the diluted bleach solution they use for cleaning ( I can smell it a mile away ) and was told it was required by law - I plan on investigating that claim. Her school is HUGE on washing hands constantly and doesn't use hand sanitizer so that's a plus. Fortunately she is required to bring her own lunch so I'm happy knowing she is eating healthy foods from home. They do provide milk but I always bring milk for her so she's drinking organic. Our state is working on an IPM model for schools and I'm hoping it is implemented soon as I saw the Orkin man outside the building recently - almost made her stay home that day :)
.-= Tiffany@Mommy Goes Green´s last blog ..what are the green things you do? =-.

Holly Bornstein

Hi! This is Holly at CleanWell. Please email me, I have a letter written by Dr. Weiss (CleanWell founder) that explains the lab tests conducted on our products. I also have a list of the schools, medical institutions, etc. who are using our products. We've found this information is really helpful for moms who are being agents of positive change like yourself. I'd love to get it to you! holly@cleanwelltoday.com

Milk & Honey Mommy

Sommer,

This issue has troubled me so much (also w/their food intake). Since I homeschool, I don't experience the issue w/toxins in the classroom because we use our non-toxic options in the home. It's when they leave the house that bothers me. At the end of Sunday school, the teacher would whip out the Clorox bleach spray and go crazy spraying all of the toys down that my baby was going to use again later that week and more than likely put in his mouth. I appreciate the "care," but would have preferred they use safer cleaners. Despite my efforts, they never accepted the use of non/less toxic products even though they would have also saved money.

I don't want to be the "nutso or overprotective" mom, so I take care to do what I can while they're at home. Although I realize toxic hand santizer and a few beef hot dogs every once in a while won't kill them (as I cringe), I will still promote safer options. Like you said, pick your battles.

Cathy

I think this is a GREAT post Sommer! My son has started middle school and one of my priorities is advocate for "greener" practices at the school. At the same time, I realize I can only do so much and so I will start with focusing on my boys and making sure they aren't as exposed to the harsh stuff!
Cathy