The pregnant environmentalist

[GinaRae]

Okay, I am no where near where hubby and I want to be in the world as far as environmental things are concerned, but we're getting there.

I did buy some paper plates recetly for the first time in YEARS and hubby was dismayed and I don't feel good about it.

One of my MWs said I should buy plastic and paper utensils and cups and plates to get thru the pregnancy (as well as I should feed my kids Ramon Noodles) so I wouldn't have to do so many dishes or try to get the boys to do them.

This has been bugging me so bad. I know I should just let it go. But even though I told her I don't use those things she didn't get it and pushed. It's like telling someone who just said they're vegetarian that they should eat meat because it's easier to find.

If I were the type to buy those things then fine. Aand some of you may be and you know me, I am cool about most things. I just don't need to be pushed on something I feel strongly about just to get me thru a rough pregnancy, you know?

To me, it was sort of like her suddenly telling me they would induce me. I took it that badly!

Anywhoo, just venting. I am just : about the whole thing.

[Apryl Srissa]

How in the world does she think that those things would help? I mean, I agree, keeping up with 3 kids during the rougher parts of pregnancy is hard. But personally, I'd rather wash the dishes (ok, I am always behind, but do it in 5 minute spurts lol), than worry about using disposable stuff, that I would get a buncha stres from. And would cost more. Same for food, I mean sure, you could feed em ramen. But then, not only would you stress more, their health wouldn't be as good (I'm assuming she means all processed 'easy' foods for all meals), and then once baby is here, you'd have the stress of dealing with getting them back to real food.

I think find yourself a balance that feels good. Less stress is good, adding more stress isn't helping you at all. Hasn't she done this bossy thing before, or am I mixing things up?

[Frisbee]

I understand how you feel. Having similar ideals as you seem to, I'm often in that situation. I always feel torn between explaining why I wouldn't do the thing in question (and possibly making a difference...but more likely just coming off as some enviro-nazi) or just smiling/nodding/ignoring. There's only so many battles you can fight.

[GinaRae]

K, I do a lot of smiling/nodding/ignoring too because even though I am fairly assertive, some conversations are draining and hopeless and I would just rather not.

Apryl, You're SO right. Sometimes doing it the easy way isn't actually easy. Adding cost and garbage and guilt...

My kids' nutrition bottomed out during the early months and it's still hard now. They're basically fending for themselves and while I am beginning to do more cooking and preparation again, it's hard to get them all on board again.

After all, they got used to eating cereal and bagels any time of the day because I couldn't help them. Sure, it was organic cereal and "healthy" bagels, but it's not exactly good nutrition! And now they're rebelling when I bring in the good stuff again.

Also, yes, she's done this bossy thing before. Both of them have and I am feeling pretty cruddy about it. Pretty stuck. Guess I should post about that.

[Valerieg]

Gosh, I should have read this one first (before your other post) but ITA that it sounds like more stress is being caused by their suggestions than the stress you're actually experiencing by dealing with the things they're trying to help you avoid!

I couldn't imagine using paper plates and utensils in our home. In fact, I even give DH a hard time for using too many paper towels!!! So something like this would stress me out too. Doing plates/utensils in small intervals helps...and getting someone else to do them helps too.

Please do whatever you can to make your life easier and minimize stress all around. But do what works for YOU. If you need suggestions, feel free to ask here, I know a lot of us have altered things a bit to make things easier. I'm sure someone could help you out. I just don't see how completely upturning your "style" can help in the long run.

[GinaRae]

This all began because I was trying to get the MW to understand (for the 20th time) that it's not THAT easy to get the kids to help out. Her thing is that I need to kick back, eat, drink, sleep and do nothing else. She is a mom of five little girls! how could she truly believe that is possible??

My boys are pretty good boys and are used to doing chores, but you still have to sit on them a lot and remind them a lot and sometimes GOSH I just feel guilty so I don't ask for help.

Anywhoo, everyone's answer is to get the boys to help out. SURE! It's not that easy, you know? They're in school all day and then have homework (an hour of homework and reading for my 4th grader), dinner and they also deserve to kick back and have fun.

They don't want to do dishes every night! But I've been in need for them to do so. One empties the dishwasher and one fills it. I turn it on and tackle leftover dishes in the sink that don't fit in the dishwasher.

Likewise, they do put their own clothes away and sometimes fold them too. That takes someone to oversee them. Also, it's not THEIR fault that I am pregnant! So I try to be sure they're doing stuff that anyone might ask of their kids and not asking too much.

So it's sometimes more stressful to have them help out than to just let stuff sit or do it myself, you know?

So I was explaining this and she said I should just switch to paper and plastic and not have to do dishes at all. *sigh*

What's next? Disposable clothes?