The Green Parent

Last weekend, after slathering both of my daughters head-to-toe with sunscreen, I headed outside for an afternoon of gardening only to realize that I forgot to lather up my own lily-white skin. Subsequently I obtained my first (and hopefully last) sunburn of the summer season. Sunscreen is as pivotal to summer fun as bathing suits [...]

Did you happen to catch the latest news about the danger of the group of chemicals called phthalates that are currently found in a number of baby products? Phthalates are man-made substances that are used to make plastics flexible and to stabilize fragrances. These chemicals have also been linked to some really frightening health risks, [...]

Kids and dry cleaning? You’re joking, right? These two go together like oil and water (literally). But for those of you who are adventurous enough to mix kids and dry cleaning, here’s what you need to know about the toxic chemicals used at traditional dry cleaners and how to find a greener alternative. Why Go [...]

Brr…Well folks, summer is officially over and the crisp cool air of fall is moving in. Before you know it, winter will be here, and despite the best efforts of global warming, many of us will still have to deal with snow and ice this season. And while the white stuff isn’t falling yet, the [...]

Just a few years ago, the organic section in my small town grocery store was limited to a dated funky looking package of tofu and a few dried up herbs. Now, organic foods are all over the store, from coffee, to eggs, to salad dressing. Organic foods are produced without all of the chemicals and [...]

There never seems to be a shortage of depressing and alarming environmental news to report. So it’s nice to be able to focus on some good news for a change. Ever heard of the Montreal Protocol? Twenty years ago, a bunch of suits got together in Montreal and put together an international agreement that actually [...]

Got pets? According to the Humane Society, there are currently 73 million dogs and 90 million cats in homes across the U.S. That’s not to mention the birds, bunnies, ferrets, turtles, hamsters, and lizards that are also popular pets in families with children. Just like children, pets create a significant impact on the environment in [...]

Want to get your family’s clothes clean without drowning them in chemicals? Natural ingredients such as borax, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, washing soda, and white vinegar are safer for you, your children, and the environment. Check out GreenerChoices.org for specific recipies. If you just love your laundry detergent, try just using less of it by [...]

Harmful chemicals and toxins abound in the average cleaning products. As a parent, I was always wondering what was worse…dirt and germs or the chemicals I was using to clean them up! But if you’re looking for a greener way to clean up those juice spills, don’t be taken in by green slogans. Get savvy [...]