Over the past few weeks, I’ve been silently reading and observing the blogging (mostly “mommy blogging”) issue that’s been affectionately called “Blog-ola”. NPR jut aired an enlightening piece, highlighting how blogging for swag, and even cash, has led many bloggers down a slippery ethical path. And why not? Moms are the bigger money spenders in most households, and the influence they’ve had for products over the internet is simultaneously admirable and staggering. Unfortunately, it’s also works in reverse - why would you want to buy a product from someone who is getting paid to write nice things about it?

Blog With Integrity, a result of this ongoing debate and need for blog reform, was started this month by four amazing bloggers - Kristen Chase (Motherhood Uncensored), Liz Gumbinner (Mom-101), Julie Marsh (The Mom Slant), and Susan Getgood (Marketing Roadmaps). The basis is this (taken verbatim from Susan Getgood, who put it best): Blog With Intergity is “a tangible and collective way to express our commitment to a simple code of blogging conduct. It recognizes that there’s no single right way to blog and more than enough room in the world for different approaches”. By signing the pledge and putting a button on your blog, you’re aligning yourself with wonderful people who truly care about the content they’re putting out there.

That being said, I wanted to make clear some things about my personal blogging policies. I have never taken cash or other cash-like entities to write a positive review (or any review) about a product. If I receive a product to test out, I acknowledge it within my review. I am extremely selective about the products I do write about - if I can’t use the product personally, I ask my contact for more information about it, so as not to waste anyone’s time or money. And, if I feel that a product is too expensive, I just won’t write about it, or, I’ll put it in a more general review about lovely but expensive green items we all wish we could afford. I was under contract as a paid blogger for Brita Water’s Filter For Good campaign, and every post I wrote for them was swag-free. That contract has now expired, and I am lone teensygreen blogger once again.

I have more often than not tried to steer teensygreen into a forum for discussions about issues regarding children and eco-activism, rather than a consumer platform. I have taken some time off lately - and probably more time to come - to figure out where I’d like the focus of teensygreen to go for the future. I do have issues with many eco-products out there - generally, they are very expensive for many, if not most of my readership (including myself). The green blogosphere is also incredibly saturated, which says a lot considering when I started teensygreen two years ago, I could barely find anyone writing quality eco-articles on the web.

So. I’ll keep blogging if you keep reading (and blogging). Only this time, remind yourself - how, why, who, and what you’re writing affects. Every. Single. Post.

I thought I’d extend the Summer Party “week,” since the Fourth of July seemed to have sucked the life (and ability to write) out of me last week!

One thing that really makes me go “grrrr” are party favors that end up in the trash faster than you can say “Happy Birthday”. For whatever reason, whether it be last-minuteness or the inability to find products locally, parents are still taking the easy way out. It really is possible to find great party activities and favors without breaking your bank or sucking too much time out of you! Here’s an example -

I was recently introduced to Calafant’s recycled cardboard, decorate yourself figure kits, and I’ve been telling everyone I know about them. The Calafant small kits let kids build and decorate dinosaurs, houses, race cars, fire trucks and more. They’re sturdy, and can hold up to markers, crayons, stickers, glitter, paint, anything your kids can think to throw on it. The high quality cardboard allows the toy to stand on it’s own, and they’re fully biodegradable. They may even outlast the junk food! You can buy them in party packs of eight, which puts them under $7 per piece - a very reasonable price for a thoughtful party favor.

I think this is a great main craft for a birthday party as well - no need for a goodie bag! The medium and large kits are even more amazing, with treehouses, forts, and castles that children can play with small dolls and figures. They’re also great for soon-to-be big brother and sister gifts to keep older kids busy with when a new baby comes home, too!