I woke up on Mother’s Day with a great surprise (aside from beautiful homemade cards from my girls) - an interview I had given for the Miami Herald ran in the Living section for Mother’s Day (along with a picture of me and my daughters)! The article, titled “Tech tools helping moms stay sane, in sync” focuses on the digital revolution, and how moms everywhere are taking advantage of smart phones and social networking for not only support from peers, but for marketing purposes as well.
While I do use my iPhone for everything from my calendar to grocery lists to Twitter on the go, I’m still a paper purist. I keep a running to-do list in a notebook that never leaves my side. I also am very aware of my phone use around my kids, and I make sure they know that the phone goes away when it’s play time with them, or when we’re out at an activity. While I have fully embraced technology and all it’s conveniences, I read more and more about how moms can take it a little too far. They find themselves sleeping less because they can’t tear away from the computer, or becoming preoccupied with their kids via texting or checking email. I’m the first to admit I’ve been there! But, I’m also not going to let my phone dictate my day.
So, while all of these gadgets can make life easier, don’t forget to literally unplug and take some time for yourself and your kids! I’d love to hear from you - do you have a personal set of rules and regulations when it comes to your computer or phone? Do your kids know how to use the computer or phone better than you? Leave a comment, or find me on Twitter @teensygreen, of course!
Mother’s Day is still two months away, but it’s always a good time to think about honoring moms-to-be! I was so thrilled when the organization Operation Shower contacted me. Operation Shower “recognizes and honors the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating baby showers for pregnant and expecting military moms to be whose spouses are deployed”. Last year, Operation Shower showered more than 100 deserving women from different branches of the military with thousands of dollars worth of baby and mom gear.
Due to the success of last year’s Mother’s Day showers, OS has decided to hold an annual Mother’s Day event for the military moms-to-be whose spouses are deployed. This year, OS will be showering approximately 50 military moms-to-be on Mother’s Day weekend. The theme for the event is Boxes in Bloom (for their “showers in a box” program) and they’re planning on making the showers eco-friendly!
This Mother’s Day, Operation Shower will be hosting two showers – approximately 40 women at Ft. Hood in Texas and 10 women at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. OS will actually go to their base and host a shower. Each woman will receive a large box of goodies similar to what she would receive from a regular shower and there will be raffle items as part of the fun.
I’m more than proud to announced that teensygreen will be part of organizing this year’s eco-friendly showers! This is my first journey into the realm of green event planning. Many of these families can’t get eco-friendly baby items, either because of location or financial situation. The ability to offer 60 new babies a healthy, green start is heartwarming and exciting! You can also help in many ways: By donating money to Operation Shower; hosting your own “shower,” and sending the goods to OS for a shower in a box; or by donating goods directly to Operation Shower.
For more information, please contact me at stefani@teensygreen.com or Lena Morrissey, co-founder of Operation Shower, at lena@operationshower.org. Help support this wonderful cause and bring some “green” to deserving families!
Exciting news! The women behind the hugely popular, mom-centric site known as 5 Minutes for Mom has launched a network of sister sites today, including 5 Minutes for Going Green. I was so flattered to be asked to participate, and I’ll be writing as a monthly contributor! I’m so proud to be associated with these other eco-Moms, many of whom I’ve been reading for a while, some new to me, but all passionate about keeping families in the know about being eco-conscious (and amazing writers as well!). Meet the Green Team!
5 Minutes for Mom has officially launched today, so keep checking back (and back and back) as we bring fresh and exciting green content. And don’t forget to check out 5MFM’s other sister sites - 5 Minutes for Special Needs, 5 Minutes for Parenting and 5 Minutes for Books!
When you have a moment, check out the other 5MFGG writers -
I mentioned it in my last post, but I’m so excited to tell you all about Jill Buck’s new radio program/podcast as an extension of her Go Green Initiative! Go Green Radio debuts this Friday, June 27th, at Noon EST/9AM PST, on Voice America internet radio.
Jill has invited me as well as Scott McGinness who is an actor, father and founder of Global Broadcast for Kids, a website that discusses all things kids through the eyes of - kids! The “junior journalists” give book and movie reviews, talk about health concerns, and of course, there’s a great channel devoted to going green! Global Green for Kids gives tips and advice for make the world a greener place, for kids, by kids. Go check them out as well!
Go to Voice America, and click on the “Network” option at the top. The show will automatically feed through. You’ll also be able to hear the show after it’s over by downloading it, and sign up for the Go Green Radio podcast, so you’ll always be in the know about going green!
I hope you can all join us, as we discuss how we came to be so eco-conscious, why we do what we do, and what we think the future of green kids will be. Leave comments after the show - we’d love to hear feedback! Thanks again for supporting teensygreen, and for making better decisions for your family!
As we transition into 2008, I just wanted to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season! We’re moving the fam back to the US right now, so it’s going to be a couple of weeks of light posts and lots and lots of…moving. Thank you all for making teensygreen’s first few months so enjoyable to write, and look for lots more in 2008! See you next year! - Stefani
Aside from reading, writing, thinking, breathing, and speaking about all things green for kids, obsessing about letterpress stationery, and losing the battle to teach my kids how to swim, I have a full-fledged love for Facebook. Most of my husband’s 18 (!) first cousins are on it, and it’s been a great way for us to keep in touch. There are also amazing networking opportunities, and that’s why I started a teensygreen group for Facebook. Please take a minute to join, and say hi to me! It’s a work in progress, but you can post pics of your teensy greeners, start or give your two cents about green issues for kids, just find a nice place to hang out with other eco-conscious moms and dads (and my husband’s 18(!) first cousins). And please challenge me to Scrabulous. The more, the merrier!
Best Green Blogs asked to do a Q & A with me this week about teensygreen, and it was just posted today. Check it out! I had a great time writing about how, when, and why I started teensygreen, and it gave me a lot of inspiration for future ideas. And don’t forget to stay awhile at Best Green Blogs - they are a wonderful resource for finding all things green, whether it be for parents, gossip, activism, philanthropy, etc. Thanks for reading the interview, and of course for reading teensygreen!
When I started writing about green products, it occurred to me that it was difficult to find a variety of products in one place. Sure, there are super organic clothing shops, home and garden shops, baby gear shops, shops, and more shops. Fortunately, Amazon.com has an incredible amount of eco-friendly brands, all in one place. So, dear readers, please browse around teensygreen’s EcoShop, to find the best of the best in green products for your family, including books, clothing, gift sets, cleaning products, and hair and body care. I’m adding new stuff all the time, and if you find something you think should be stocked on teensy’s virtual shelves, please let me know! Happy Shopping!
The NY Times is reporting today that independent lab testing for various vinyl bibs, including Winnie the Pooh and from brandmakers Especially for Baby and Koala Baby, are contaminated with lead and may provide a health hazard if children chew on damaged or cracked bibs. The bibs have been sold at Toys “R” US around the country, but there has been no widespread recall. This is not part of the latest lead-toy recall from China, although the bibs are made there as well.
Instead, try this adorable bib from Baby Soy. It’s organic, machine washable, and way cuter. And look Ma, no lead!
Congrats to Ashe, our Fish Lips gift wrap giveaway winner! Thanks so much for all of your wonderful comments and kind words, both about Fish Lips and teensygreen! Don’t forget to look out for next week’s giveaway…
