Today, as I sit down to write this, is September 21, World Day of Peace. My six-year-old and I took a bouquet of flowers to a local war memorial and laid it beneath a sign that read: “In honor of those who died in war and conflict.”
It seemed fitting. A little girl who has never known war nonetheless struggling to understand its absence in her life…and understand her mother’s gratitude for that.
Other mothers, of course, aren’t so lucky. They scrape together a life in the midst of conflict, or watch as their sons and daughters enlist. In worst case scenarios, they learn of their children’s disappearance, knowing without a doubt that their children have been seized to be trained as soldiers.
Canada recently altered its foreign policy to change the term “child soldier” to “children in armed conflict”. According to news reports, Harper’s Conservative government has been quietly altering many foreign policy terms – some that were hard-won – including removing the word “humanitarian” from references to “international humanitarian law”.
It’s worrying to me that Canada is losing its formerly firm grip on social justice issues. While we haven’t always done the right thing (First Nations issues remain this country’s great shame), I believe social justice has routinely been fought for.
On this World Day of Peace, I remain proud of what our soldiers are doing around the world, particularly in Afghanistan, but dream of a day when such measures are unnecessary.
However, my pride doesn’t extend to the government officials who, with the swipe of their pens, have made mockery of our foreign policy and, indeed, democracy as a whole.

With close to seven billion people jockeying for space on this planet, you might think I’m joking with my headline. I’m not.
When my now-eight-year-old son, whose matter-of-factness startles me at times, was five, he asked his kindergarten teacher “when people would become extinct.” Not if…but when.
There are currently 585 endangered species in Canada. A number that grows daily. Many scientists believe that the rate of die-off is greater now than at any time in history. Others point to a warming global climate that will kill millions and create millions more environmental refugees.
What will it take to convince people that the time to act is now? Not tomorrow. Not when the economy is better. Not when the last polar bear is only in a zoo or we realize that maybe we needed bees to pollinate our crops.
Sure, overpopulation is a problem right now. But not for long…

(This is my September 2009 Virtuous Consumer column, which runs in a number of regional parenting publications in the U.S. and Canada, including About Families, Charlotte Parent and Carolina Parent)

Kids’ rooms are often their sanctuary – to escape a tough day at preschool, retreat from an annoying sibling or retire after a tiring day of learning to use their words instead of their fists.
It’s up to us to make that place as safe and healthy as possible…

1. No vinyl, and that’s final
Many blinds are made of PVC, polyvinyl chloride, which frequently contains lead and hormone-disrupting phthalates. Instead, opt for window coverings made of natural materials – wood, cotton, linen…

2. Remove old carpet
Sure, carpeting is warm and cozy, but carpet fibers harbor dust mites, pesticides, animal dander, bacteria, lead dust, and cleaning product chemicals, all of which children disturb, churn, and inhale as they crawl and play. Synthetic carpeting is the worst offender, adding adhesives, glues, and stain-proofing chemical vapors into the air. If finances allow, remove carpeting and stick with bare floors — add an area rug made of wool, sisal or other natural fibers, if desired. If that’s not feasible, clean the existing carpet with eco-friendly cleaners and vacuum often.

3. Paint it healthy
Finding zero-VOC paints is easier than ever. If you’re still not convinced they’re worth the extra cost, consider this: volatile organic compounds in paints include benzene, formaldehyde, kerosene, ammonia, toluene, and xylene, all known carcinogens and neurotoxins. Exposure can worsen asthma symptoms and cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and in some cases liver and kidney disease.

4. Non-toxic furnishings
Sure they’re cheap, but pressboard laminated wood and particle wood generally contain formaldehyde. Seek out unfinished solid hardwood painted with zero-VOC paints or finishes. Mennonite or Amish furniture makers often create eco-friendly baby and kids’ furniture, including cribs, high chairs, and playpens. If you must choose particleboard or pressboard (or if it’s a hand-me-down), the Children’s Health and Environmental Coalition recommends that you seal it with a water-based sealant to prevent off-gassing.

5. Add a plant
A two-year NASA study in the late 80s revealed that common houseplants can significantly reduce indoor pollutants, such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Consider Gerbera daisies, peace lily, bamboo palm and spider plant.

Leslie Garrett is author of The Virtuous Consumer: Your Essential Shopping Guide for a Better, Kinder, Healthier World (and one our kids will thank us for!). Visit her at www.virtuousconsumer.com

On the one hand, we’ve got increasing news reports that today’s generation of kids is the first that likely won’t live longer than its parents’ generation. On the other, we have nutritionists in the U.S. encouraging consumers to follow its “Smart Choice” endorsements of various food products which indicates a “better than” choice. One of its better-than products? Froot Loops. While I concede that Froot Loops is a better choice than…say…Twinkies or crack, its disingenuous to put it forth as something nutritious.
It’s tough enough as a parent to convince your children to eat healthy, whole food. I may have a fridge stocked with organic broccoli and grassfed beef, but my kids are begging for Lucky Charms and Go-gurt. I had always hoped my children’s rebellion would be focused on joining the Young Conservatives or perhaps working for General Motors. Instead, they seem hell-bent on finding themselves at the bottom of a bag of Doritos.
And now, they likely have some nutritionist endorsing their desires as a “smart choice.”
Perhaps. But in my estimation, the only thing smart about Froot Loops as a choice is to put an end to global overpopulation.