Johnson & Johnson - Cleaning Their Baby Soaps?

Picture Source: somethingblue2.blogspot.com

When I was in my early 20's I worked as a bartender, I loved my job.  One of my favorite times of day was after the huge lunch rush had died down and the place was empty, you could hear the chatter of the wait staff sitting at the table in the back all waiting for dinner service to start up.  While they were chatting, I was still up front of the house tending to my bar, and it was at this time that I got the bar in order including washing all the glasses that had been used.  As I was waiting one day for a load to go through the washer, I had just placed dish soap into the machine and as I often do I leaned back against the counter and started to read the bottle.  As I was reading I was also drinking from a glass that had been washed with the same soap.  In mid sip of my drink (it was soda) I paused, eyes widened when I read in plain English but in very little text "This product may contain a cancer causing agent"  May? What the hell did they mean may?  and Oh My God, why would they even have to tell you that? Why would they even put that in there?  I had a lot of whys go through my head, but as a 20 something year old with no real cares in the world, I chose never to drink from a restaurant glass again and I casually brought it up every now and again in conversations where I wanted to seem intellectual :) Ahh to be 20 again.  Anyway, it wasn't until many years later when I was now expecting my first baby that this knowledge came back, only this time, I was about to have the biggest care in the world become my responsibility and I no longer just avoided bar glasses, I read every label and looked up every ingredient I wasn't familiar with.  Thanks to my bar tending days I was that much more aware.

It baffles me that in today's world, where we are relentlessly fighting against cancer that there are products on the market that include carcinogens (cancer causing agents) Many of these products are things we apply directly to our skin, and we don't just put it on, we rub it in, shampoo containing carcinogens are rubbed into the scalp, your head!!!!!!!! and people wonder why so many people have cancer. Depending on what products we use, as we shampoo and condition our hair or moisturize our bodies, we may be covering our hair and skin with dibutyl phthalate, one of the family of phthalates which have been found to disrupt the endocrine system, potentially cause liver cancer, and cause reproductive system damage (according to research published in the journal Pediatrics) Does anyone else see a problem with this?

Well apparently, and thankfully, they do, and Johnson & Johnson who is a huge distributor or such products is making changes. It was announced today that after years of pressure from many activists, personal care giant Johnson & Johnson finally reformulated its flagship baby shampoo without the use of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. (more details here)

Now, on the flip side, I don't want to live my life constantly worried and angst about these things all day everyday, but I do feel that as a consumer, when I spend my money on products that those products should be safe, both in the interim and long term effects.  I don't need my shampoo or soap to suds up to feel clean, the chemical that creates those bubbles although found not to be a carcinogen (according to wikipedia)  is still a chemical, and its usually the second named ingredient on all products which means its one of the most used ingredient in the product, if it doesn't actually do anything other then give the perception that your product is better, then its a lie, you are lying to me as the consumer, you are putting a chemical out there that does nothing and its still a chemical, that I am putting on my body, and I am not OK with that, not being lied to or rubbing chemicals into my body or my children's, sure you say its safe now, and in a few years we find out you were wrong. How about you just remove it all together and its one less bad thing that's out there.  OK I guess my flip side quickly flopped back.

I am so thankful to those activists who have worked on making this happen.  This is a great gesture by J&J to make their products safer, however I'm sure they can do more.   The plan from what I heard is not to change all of the products, right now the focus is on the baby products, which thank goodness because if I have to choose between no more tears or no cancer for my baby, I think I will take a few tears.

This is definitely one to keep on top of.

Everyday Mothers. How Do They Do It?

I read.....alot.  I still enjoy a good book, technology will never replace that for me, in the words of my 8 year old daughter, there is nothing like the smell of a new book.  Over the years with the Internet being the tool it now is, the amount of reading I do has gone beyond numbers, but what has also increased is the disappointment and distaste I feel in some of the material I do read.  Take for example a layout I just read in Today's Parent magazine.  One of their main articles is about Jessica Seinfeld.  I am sure Jessica is a wonderful mother, I would never take that title from anyone, I am especially not going to form a judgemental opinion about someone I don't know, keeping in mind that for all the amazing mothers in the world there are also many who are probably not so great.  This is a discussion that can go on forever.  My judgemental opinion today, if you would like to call it that is actually towards the publication. 

In the article, the magazine shines a light on how Jessica handles being an author and mother of 3 and a wife as well as her contribution to charity.  I agree in giving a cheers to her.  However, and yes the however is coming. It is very easy I would imagine to do anything you want when you are married to someone like Jerry Seinfeld who is worth millions of dollars.  With the financial stability that the Seinfeld's have what opportunity could someone not take advantage of?  How does she do it?  SHE HAS MONEY!  Yes money isn't everything but it sure as hell helps.  Instead of spotlighting someone who has the means to pursue a writing career and charity work because of who they are married to, why not praise the everyday mom?  These are the mothers who really need to share insight as to how they handle family and work and a life of their own.  Ask my girlfriend who is raising 3 children on her own while working full time how she does it? Actually I have two girlfriends in that situation.  Ask my sister in law's best friend who when she was pregnant with twins found out she had terminal cancer, chose to save her children and give them life, while ensuring she lost hers just months after they were born.  Ask the mother who is quickly approaching her return to work from mat leave how she gets through her day looking at her baby and wondering exactly how good the daycare she has found is gong to take care of her baby.  Ask the mother who balances activities for her 2 children, balances the accountability she has to her kids to help them with homework, after she has come home from work at a career, in which she has donated her lunch time to help with a charity,  started dinner, done the homework, gotten the kids washed up for bed and sleeping and then finds time to have meaningful time with her spouse. Ask the mother who balances the families budget pay cheque to pay cheque because she is trying to give her children all the opportunity she never had.

These are the mothers you should be showcasing, these are the mothers who also have dreams of writing books, and doing more to help society but are so far stretched some days they can't even see straight, but they do it everyday because its who they want to be, and most of the time no one even has a clue just how much they have on their plates.

Maybe if you showcased these mothers there would be many more useful books published, because these are the women who have tips and advice that are worth sharing and that the majority of your readers could relate to. Try showcasing a Canadian Mother in your Canadian magazine for goodness sake.   I apologize for sounding like a total bitch but who the fuck cares how Jessica Seinfeld does it? Really,  I don't because if I had her money suddenly everything I did would be important too.

If I had the option to raise my children until they were in full day private schools where the amount of money I was paying that school was ensuring the establishment was held accountable for providing proper teaching, I wouldn't have to spend over an hour each night teaching my daughter things she should have learned in school, but didn't because the teachers really only care about their summers off, unfortunately that is the reality of our public school system.

If I had money to outlast my lifetime and my children's I wouldn't have the stress that comes with paying for daycare which is equivalent to a mortgage payment if not more.  If I had that kind of money I wouldn't have much worries at all, so please forgive me if I don't stand and applaud how Jessica Seinfeld does it?  It's a stupid question, because the answer is in her last name alone.

I would now like to take this opportunity to applaud all of the everyday moms who do it all and don't have a magazine shining a light on them.  So I am going to shine a light on you, because it is you who amazes me,  it is you that I admire and shake my head in amazement, because I know who you are because I am you and you are me.

I would love to hear from all types of mothers who do it all, send me your stories and pictures, your insight and wisdom, and once a month I will randomly, not selectively pick someone and shine a spotlight on you, and the title will be "Your Name! How does she do it?  Because its the everyday mother that I want to get to know, not someone who is so out of my reach, and to whom I would have to pay money to read her book so that I could "Know" how she does it. 

As for Today's Parent, hey everyone has their bad days and makes poor choices, on the most part I enjoy your magazine, but maybe you should take a step back and realign your priorities, that's just my opinion. 

My Promise

Dear Child,

My promise to you - I am your Parent 1st - your friend 2nd.  I will stalk you, flip out on you, lecture you, drive you insane, be your worst nightmare and hunt you down like a bloodhound when needed because I LOVE YOU!  When you understand that, I will know you are a responsible adult.  You will NEVER find someone who loves, prays, cares and worries about you more than I do! If you don't hate me once in your life - I am not doing my job properly, but you will and than I will know that I am.

With all my Love

Mommy

Baby and Mommy Retreat

I have never been rich, I probably never will be, but just because my pocket book isn't overflowing with paper bills doesn't mean I have to settle for anything less then adorable when it comes to designing my children's nursery, and neither should anyone else.

Every new parent and child should have a room that is calming and peaceful.  When you are getting up in the middle of the night 2 to 3 or even more times, you want to go into a place that is still serene.  When you have to nurse every two hours, you want a sense of calm so you and your baby can bond like nature intended. When baby starts to grow up, you should be able to have their room grow with them with just a few minor changes.

Nursery Nightstands at Posh Tots
Nursery Rugs at The Land of Nod

I have decorated my own nursery two times now, and each time the room has become my favorite in the house because of how I feel when I am in it.  The colour green is considered to symbolize nature and the natural world, representing tranquility, good luck and health, and is known for its calming effect, who wouldn't want their baby to be surrounded by all that?  Researchers have also found that the colour green can improve reading ability and because it is easy on the eye has been found to improve vision, could it be that this had something to do with my first child reading novel sized books before her 5th birthday? however, she does wear glasses. Touche! :) In a nutshell, this is the color you want.

The presence of soft light is also a great thing to have in your nursery, a shade pendant provides a very soft diffused look in a nursery.  I have this in my nursery and the compliments that I get on it are wonderful, it also provide a good distraction for baby to focus on when I am changing her diaper.  A chandelier can give you the same effect, if the light fixture doesn't provide a soft glow, consider installing a light dimmer in the room. 

My preference for flooring is hardwood, if your walls are light, go with a darker floor and vice versa, it provides a nice contrast.  Wood floors cut down on dust, if you have a baby with allergies, it will help.  You might want to add an area rug just to have a space for baby to play on the floor that is soft and comfortable.

Babies sleep alot, so when choosing window coverings, choose something that will keep the light out, roman shades are a great choice and you can get them in all sorts of natural materials now the options are endless, just remember to baby proof any cords that may be left hanging.  If the roman shade is not for you then consider a two rodded system, where you can can have a sheer curtain which allows light in when you want it, but the second rod holds a heavier lined curtain to close up and keep the light out.

When buying furniture, do your research and find furniture that is going to grow with your child, an investment at birth that lasts throughout childhood and even through their teens is money well spent.  Many cribs now turn into daybeds or convert to single beds.  If anything you may just have to replace the bed, but all other items should be able to transition.

Last but not least. The rocking chair.  Moms? If you are like me, this will be your favorite piece of furniture, you will fall asleep in this chair, escape to collect yourself in this chair, read your baby books, sing them lullabies or simply just stare for hours into their eyes as you rock them back and forth.  My rocking chair has never failed me to console a sick baby or to put to sleep an over stimulated baby who is now beyond tired they are so frustrated they wont stop crying.  Make sure its comfortable, a wing type chair will let you curl up on it in so many contorted positions yet still keep you comfortable.  This item is for you, so give yourself this one thing, you deserve it for all you do.

Of course, the items in the style display are all very pricey, please just use them as a guide or idea on where you want to go.  Ikea is an amazing source to find affordable items to get a look similar to the one above without breaking your bank, kids are expensive, but that doesn't mean you can't have an  enjoyable place for you and baby.  Sweet dreams to you and your little ones.

Back to School is in the Air

Its almost here! For some parents you are eagerly awaiting back to school as the old song goes "Its the most wonderful time of the year" The kids will be back into their routines and sounds of "Are we there yet?" or "I'm bored' will be less and few in between. Others view this time of year as having to get the kids up and going early, swollen faces and tangled hair dragging themselves to brush their teeth or get to the breakfast table. Its time to start picking out clothes daily, making lunches and snacks and doing homework. Oh the Joy!

I both like and dislike back to school, back to school means fall is coming which is my favorite time of the year yet the shortest. I can't wait to go out into my yard, rake up the mountains of leaves then let my daughter jump into it. I can't wait to wear my favorite scarves with just a long sleeve tee, or the smell of a campfire at this time of year. Oh I can't wait, but instead of this being about me and everything I love, lets get back to the purpose of this post.

Fall trends this year are still keeping with the wave of Bohemian chic and peace, a very earthy outdoor feeling, from down filled vests to an edgier boot from last years riding boot.  Sugar skulls are still hot this year amongst the kids with continued pops of colour like hot pink and turquoise, and although we are far from our early 90's alternative trend of plaid being depressing its a little more fitted but its a staple this year in any pre-teen / teenagers wardrobe.  This years trend, is a mixture of grunge with a tad hint of punk and the great outdoors, my daughter actually help put these two styles together so I have it on good authority that they are "Wicked "   Suddenly Kurt Cobain is singing in my head, "Smells like  teen spirit"  to me.

All clothing shown here is  available at Old Navy.

The Best Stroller in the World

8 years ago when I had my first child my husband and I went through 4 strollers by the time she was 2, and once she was walking we opted for the cheap $20.00 fold stroller like the one I use to push my dolls around when I was a child.  We were so frustrated with everything we bought and even more frustrated at the amount of money we had spent since all 4 were well known baby brands.

I don't know about you, but I need a stroller that can do the following things easily.

1. Fit in the back of my car
2. Folds out and down easily without pushing and pulling gadgets all at the same time
3. A stroller that grows with my child
4. A stroller that has excellent steering (most important in my book)  There is nothing more frustrating then fighting with a stupid wheel that wont move in the direction I am directing it to.
5. Reasonably affordable
6. Light Weight
7. Attractive

If you have been frustrated like us, and all of the above are important to you then let me introduce you to the most amazing stroller I have ever owned, I can't say enough good things about this set of wheels, there is not one single negative - ok well it doesnt have a cup holder which does'nt bother me but that may be important to some. Ladies and Gentlemen........I recommend........

The Icoo Stroller

This my fellow parents is the Mercedes of strollers, its light, it folds by simply pushing back two levers that are made to accomdate your forefinger (effortless)  the wheels easily come off if you need to make it even more compact or for travel (they make you take off the wheels at the airport) no screws, no allen keys just perfect engineering.  German engineering has developed this amazing stroller.  The model shown here comes with a bassinet, the frame of that bassinet later changes into the frame for the toddler stroller, you just refold the frame and add the new canvas lining which is made with amazing canvas material.  It also comes with a universal baby seat adapter, for any baby seat, and it lets you place it forward and backward facing.  It also comes with a weather shield and a carry bag.  Have I mentioned how amazing this stroller is? AMAZING!

We got ours in chocolate brown with light mocha accents, everywhere I go, people ask me where I got this stroller.  The icco did cost $400.00 but.........so well worth it, especially since we bought 4 strollers for our first baby 8 years ago and none of those strollers cost less then $150.  The first one along was $400.00 and I ended up throwing it across a parking lot cause I was so angered by it (I didnt really do that, but I wanted to) so in my mind, one time cost of $400 for an amazing product that I love is a much better investment 8 years ago.  If you need a strolller get this one. 

We ordered ours from a store in Ontario (where we live) called Juniorbaby  .  We ordered online and received it by FedEx within 8 days.  The www.Juniorbaby.com website even has a video that walks youthrough the entire stroller, how it works and how it was engineered.  I wish everything I spent my hard earned money on was this worth it.