• Last updated 5/30/10 by Mothering Editorial

Hi Eden, I was wondering if there was a way to prime cloth diapers without using hot water and washing a zillion times. I do not have hot water running to my washing machine at the moment and I thought it would be ideal to find a way to not waste a bunch of water getting this job done. I heard boiling with vinegar might be effective? What would you recommend?It is certainly worth a try but I have never done it myself!  You could also run them through the dishwasher a few times.  I have heard of that working as a way to stip diapers in need so I imagine it would work... read more

• Last updated 2/13/10 by Mothering Editorial

We're about to celebrate our babies' (twins) first birthday. However, my wife and I are not interested in cake, ice cream, party, presents, etc. How do we co-exist with the masses, particularly our family, who expect this type of celebration? This goes for ALL holidays; the true meaning of many holy-days has been lost. Any advice on how to create more meaningful celebrations and include family and friends on our terms?Happy Birthday to your twins! It is hard for a family to chart its own path in our consumption-driven culture, but it is not impossible. In some ways, it's... read more

• Last updated 3/31/13 by mamazee

So here are some things I learned… I stayed in a net-positive, freshly built green house right outside of Burlington, one of the houses in the South Farm Homes development (Hinesburg, VT). It was designed by the architecture firm Truex Cullins. Net-positive means that not only is it made so that it generates all of its own power; it actually generates more than it needs and gives power back to the grid. The owner will actually get a check for about $200 every year for her contribution. How is this done? The house was built to maximize passive solar... read more

• Last updated 7/10/09 by Mothering Editorial

At GreenKidsAuction.com, you can reduce, reuse, recycle, and save money on new or gently used toys and products for your wee ones. From bedding to toys to carriers and furniture, you can find a variety of items at a good price. Tell your friends, or join the online community to help make the world a little more sustainable.www.greenkidsauction.com. read more

• Last updated 7/10/09 by Mothering Editorial

The Parenting in the Workplace Institute is currently launching an initiative to set up pilot baby programs in organizations. The program is free to participating businesses. According to Babies in the Workplace, the program has proved successful for every organization that has taken it on, including law firms, credit unions, government agencies, and management consulting firms.Businesses that sign up for the program will receive the following resources free of charge: a detailed baby program policy and legal waiver forms for participants; free copies of their books... read more

• Last updated 7/20/09 by Mothering Editorial

By Moira BullochOn December 8, 2008, USATODAY released their study of schools where the outside air poses an unacceptable health risk from chemical contamination to young children and school staff. The study identified 435 schools in "toxic hot spots."The study reaffirms what the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) has been reporting since 2001. In several reports, beginning with Poisoned Schools, CHEJ presented case studies of school-aged children harmed by chemicals in their school environments and called on the federal government to establish school... read more

• Last updated 9/11/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Jennifer Margulis On Saturday, January 10, 2009, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) hosted an all-day meeting with 50 members of the public in Ashland, Oregon to discuss vaccine safety and to hear recommendations from the public about where research money about vaccine safety should be spent. A similar meeting was held in Birmingham, Alabama on December 13, 2008, and a third public meeting will be held in Indianapolis on January 17, 2009. Ashland residents, including concerned parents, health care professionals, and students, were paid a $50 stipend to attend. At... read more

• Last updated 8/30/10 by Mothering Editorial

According to Friends of the Earth, 56 percent of all infant carriers, 44 percent of all car seats, 40 percent of all strollers, and 19 percent of all portable cribs were found to have high levels of halogenated fire retardants. Halogenated fire retardants have been linked to serious health disorders, such as cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption, neurological and reproductive dysfunction, and learning disabilities, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Once they enter a human or animal body, halogenated fire retardants tend to stay there and... read more

• Last updated 7/10/09 by Mothering Editorial

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) continues to pressure the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to stop marketing violent movies such as The Dark Knight and Iron Man to preschool-aged children.The CCFC writes on their website: "Burger King Iron Man toy giveaways for preschoolers. Indiana Jones Lunchables. Incredible Hulk toys for children as young as three. The Dark Knight Cheerios. The MPAA could stop this onslaught but they won't."The Federal Trade Commission has asked the MPAA to develop a policy that ensures that PG-13 movies will not be... read more

• Last updated 7/14/09 by Mothering Editorial

Thanks to all of you who joined forces with Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood to get Scholastic to stop promoting Bratz dolls in elementary schools. The campaign was a success. After more than 5,000 emails, Scholastic confirmed that they will be withdrawing Bratz products, such as Lil' Bratz Dancin Divas, Lil' Bratz Catwalk Cuties, and Lil' Bratz Beauty Sleepover Bash, from book fairs and school promotional material. If you would like to thank Scholastic, you can do so by writing to: Richard Robinson, CEO Scholastic, Inc. 557 Broadway New York, NY 10012 ... read more