I gave birth to two fabulous, healthy little girls in the last 8 years and found out the hard way that common everyday household products contain harsh, synthetic ingredients that in many cases, are not tested for safety. So for my family’s sake I have decided that I MUST be a catalyst for change.
I now question everything that goes on or in my families bodies and I research to make informed decisions. And in the hope I might help even one family to avoid the experiences I have had, I blog. Most recently I joined the blogging team at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. I am so impressed with the fabulous work Safer Chemicals is doing, I am beyond thrilled to be a part!
My personal interest in toxic chemicals started with daughter’s severe reaction to synthetic sunscreen. It was Canada Day 2007. Her tiny body swelled and became beet red after I applied harsh toxic chemicals to her body called ‘children’s sunscreen‘. She was two.
People stared at our usually beautiful daughter that day in the medical waiting room. She was distorted and looked rather frightful. Medical authorities said simply it was a ‘hyper-allergic reaction’. Any parent who has been through this, no matter what the exact cause or exact result, will tell you it is a life-changing experience.
I reacted by becoming a warrior mom. I set out to figure out what had happened and why and how it could be avoided in future? I found out that petroleum-based chemicals I had studied in University that were polluting waterways and affecting marine life were in my kids products!! And many are not tested for safety. Scientists are now studying the health costs of using these cheap, industrial commonly-used chemicals. The results are alarming… many commonly used chemicals are suspected carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Shame on the huge corporations that continue to manufacture products for kids peppered with such toxic garbage.
Even if you have never considered toxins may be in your kids products, take a minute to read your own product labels. Make google your best friend and research, research, research. This will help you to be armed to make informed decisions. If your child hasn’t had an outward reaction as mine did you are fortunate. Trust me when I say that your research will confirm lots of nasty chems commonly used in everyday household products. Best to know these can be silently harming your children.
Who is surprised that moms are leading the way in demanding change? I have since found that I am one small voice in a group of many moms trying to educate other moms and to ultimately make huge corporations change their ways for the sake of ALL of our children. Some note-worthy moms are moving mountains to speak up against environmental causes of childhood illnesses that plague us in 2013. From autism, food sensitivities, life threatening allergies to pediatric cancers. The stats on increasing incidence of all of these is major cause for concern.
If you have ever wondered if how moms are affecting change, know that there have been some fabulous success stories of moms causing BIG BUSINESS to make healthful change. Such outstanding work! Keep on going sisters there is loads of work to still to be done!
If you know a mom or a mom to be, who may not know this info, please pass this post on to her. Post something about this subject on your Facebook page or tweet about it. And if you feel so inclined, start a petition, sign a petition, or speak to other moms about this subject. AND speak with your wallet. Stop buying and they will stop making. If we don’t speak up, industry will most likely never choose to change.
Some of my favorite resources and some of the major catalysts for change on both sides of the 49th parallel are Environmental Defence Canada, Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, Women’s Voices for the Earth, and one of my all-time fave fellow warrior moms, Lori at Groovy Green Livin. I am inspired and impressed with all these people’s efforts everyday on behalf of children and families everywhere.
Feel free to share any personal comments or stories with me. I would love to hear from you!
