DH and I regularly discuss the pros and cons of the existence of plastic in our lives. I think there are good things about plastic (i.e. DS had brain surgery in August -- and I say thank goodness for plastic in that case!) But this is what happens . . . I buy 99.9% of all the food and goods for our home, and DH constantly complains that I buy too many things made of plastic. I know about PVCs and phalates and Bisphenol A, but what about plastic in general? DH thinks ALL plastic is bad inherently because it comes from petroleum, but is this really true?
The big issue right now is Christmas gifts for the kids. The vast majority of everything we (really, that means, me because DH hasn't purchased anything) have gotten is made of wood or silk. Lots of things from Haba and Melissa & Doug). But yesterday I bought these two teddy bears from Fred Meyers and DH flipped because he said they have horrible things in them. Yes, they were from China and made of all new materials, mainly polyester. But . . . DS loves bears and I was picturing a bear sitting on each of the two little matching chairs that I ordered for the kids (BTW the chairs are made in the USA of "good" foam and they were not cheap!) DH was also mad about the toy train I bought home that I pictured going under the tree. We used to have one and it broke. And really, how am I going to find an electric train that is NOT made of plastic these days?
Anyway, what is really the deal with plastic? Is it truly the evil that DH says it is, or is some of it okay? I am so tired of him constantly getting on my case about it. But then he says that it is poisoning our children and especially our son who needs all the help he can get in terms of neurological stuff, and then I feel bad and guilty and I trot back to the store to return stuff. What to do??? If you have any websites or resources to share I'd love to see those as well. Thanks!
The big issue right now is Christmas gifts for the kids. The vast majority of everything we (really, that means, me because DH hasn't purchased anything) have gotten is made of wood or silk. Lots of things from Haba and Melissa & Doug). But yesterday I bought these two teddy bears from Fred Meyers and DH flipped because he said they have horrible things in them. Yes, they were from China and made of all new materials, mainly polyester. But . . . DS loves bears and I was picturing a bear sitting on each of the two little matching chairs that I ordered for the kids (BTW the chairs are made in the USA of "good" foam and they were not cheap!) DH was also mad about the toy train I bought home that I pictured going under the tree. We used to have one and it broke. And really, how am I going to find an electric train that is NOT made of plastic these days?
Anyway, what is really the deal with plastic? Is it truly the evil that DH says it is, or is some of it okay? I am so tired of him constantly getting on my case about it. But then he says that it is poisoning our children and especially our son who needs all the help he can get in terms of neurological stuff, and then I feel bad and guilty and I trot back to the store to return stuff. What to do??? If you have any websites or resources to share I'd love to see those as well. Thanks!
