How to keep your house clean and green

Posted on August 10, 2010 by viviankirkfield

You are probably going through your child’s clothes right now, weeding out the items that have been outgrown. Perhaps we can apply that same concept to our cleaning supply shelf. Haven’t we outgrown the toxic-to-our-children-and-the planet, chemical-laden glass cleaners, bathroom scrubs and dusting sprays. I looked in my cleaning supply cabinet the other day and I was horrified to find cans and bottles of cleaning supplies that I don’t use anymore (having gone “cleaning green” a while back), but had not gotten around to trashing. And throwing this stuff out is a whole other issue…you can’t (or shouldn’t) just dump these items in the garbage. Many communities have drop off locations or special dates where residents can bring these toxic supplies for safe removal – I wonder if there is any safe way to dispose of some of this stuff.

Cleaning green is not difficult – and in addition to being so much better for your family’s health and the planet’s survival, it is also CHEAPER! White vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice…the triumverate of being green and clean!

Here are a few simple “recipes” for some basic cleaning solutions:

GLASS/HARD SURFACE CLEANER: Combine 1/2 cup white vinegar with a gallon of water. Soak your cloth, ring it out and wipe surfaces. Dry with a clean cloth.
FABRIC SOFTENER: Add 1/4 cup white vinegar to final rinse cycle of your washing machine.
DUSTING MAGIC: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 tsp olive oil in a clean glass jar or spray bottle. Apply a little to your dusting cloth and wipe down your wooden furniture.
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANSER: Mix 1/2 cup pure soap (such as Castile), 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 gallon hot water for dishes, countertops, floors and walls.
BATHROOM TUB AND TILE CLEANER: Combine 1 part water and 3 parts baking soda for an awesome grout and soap scum cleaner.

Now, I’m not saying you should leave these cleaning supplies around for your preschooler to play with. However, unless your child drinks the bucket of all-purpose cleanser or sprays the dusting magic solution in his eyes, you will be able to rest a lot easier as your house shines and you, your family and the planet take a breath of less polluted air. One person can make a difference. Why not get started?

Please post comments with your own green cleaning solutions.

Tips to keep your child healthy when school starts

Posted on August 3, 2010 by viviankirkfield

The start of school usually brings hurried shopping trips to purchase needed school supplies and new outfits. It also has generated lots of blogs and columns with advice about school anxieties. But another big issue that arrives with the start of school is the increase of colds, sore throats, pink eye and other infectious diseases that sometimes run rampant through classrooms.

How can we help keep our children as healthy as possible? Here are several simple tips:

Provide your child with healthful balanced meals and snacks.
Encourage your child to wash his hands frequently (or wash them for him if he is too young).
Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep – older children with cell phones, TV’s and computers in their own rooms can often stay up half the night while their parents think they are sleeping.
If your child does get sick, please keep her home, even though this may be inconvenient (if you work) or she begs to go because she will “miss” something. You will be doing your child no favors if you send her when she is ill, and the teacher and the other children will not be exposed to whatever she has – also, if she is sick, her resisitance will be lowered and she might catch something even worse from another child.

It is definitely difficult to keep preschoolers doing quiet activities indoors when they are sick, especially when they start to feel a little better. We always had a special box which contained small toys and games, stickers, small boxes of crayons, small pads of paper – all brightly wrapped and beribboned. When all else failed, out came the box and the sick child was able to choose something from the box. The eager anticipation while unwrapping the package was beautifully distracting – make sure there is lots of wrapping and ribbon on each. We also had a special, ornate spoon which was the medicine dispensing spoon.

Need some quiet activities to help pass the time? My new book contains several picture story suggestions, with related craft and cooking projects, that focus on sick children. Here is one of them.

For a story to help your young child feel he is not the only one who doesn’t like being sick – read JOHNNY LION’S BAD DAY by Edith Hurd.

Then make paper plate lions: You will need: 1 paper plate, 1 piece of brown or yellow construction paper, markers or crayons, paste and scissors.

Cut the paper into one-inch wide strips and roll each strip around a marker or crayon to create the curl.
Paste one end of one strip to the edge of the plate. Continue with the rest of the strips all around the edge of the plate to form the lion’s mane.
Using markers or crayons, draw the lion’s features.

For a yummy, healthful, child-friendly alphabet chicken soup (studies have shown it really DOES help make you feel better): You will need: 1 quart chicken broth, 2 Tb diced onion, 1/4 cup alphabet noodles, 1 cup diced cooked chicken, 1/2 cup sliced carrots, 1/2 cup cut green beans, 1/4 cup corn kernels, fresh parsley (optional), and a large pot with a cover.

In a large pot, mix broth, onion and noodles and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat to simmer and add the chicken, carrots, beans and corn. Simmer with the cover on for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Garnish each serving with parsley, if you like.
Makes about 4 to 5 cups of soup – refrigerate or freeze what you don’t use.
You can substitute other vegetables if you like – peas, lima beans, zucchini – use your imagination!

Why are parents anxious about sending their children to school?

Posted on August 1, 2010 by viviankirkfield

For the past couple of days, I’ve been sharing my thoughts about the 1st day of school and how to help your child with any fears or anxieties he may have.

But, what about your fears and anxieties? Many of you have concerns about your child attending school and the concerns can mushroom as your child gets older. That’s probably why many parents are turning to homeschooling in recent years. According to an article in USA Today (1/2009) based on a government survey, homeschooling increased 74% from 1999 to 2007.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-01-04-homeschooling_N.htm

So, what are some of the top fears and concerns you may have about sending your child off to her first day of school?

Your child may be bullied or hurt by other children.
Your child may be made fun of because of his name, appearance, or style of speech or clothing.
The teacher may not be structured enough or may be too structured or may not understand your child or may not be attentive enough to your child.
There may be unsafe conditions at the school.
Your child may be in an accident traveling to or from school whether he walks, takes the bus or is driven by you or another adult.
Your child may hear things or be taught things that are not acceptable in your home.
Your child may be afraid or too shy to speak up for herself (to ask to use the bathroom or if she needs something).
Your child may not “fit” in.
Your child may reveal a family secret or personal information.
You may miss your child.

The key word in each concern is MAY….we are worrying about possibilities, not actualities. Tomorrow I plan to blog about some steps you can take (other than keeping your child at home) that address many of these concerns and may alleviate some of your anxieties.

Also, I’m sure there are other concerns that I haven’t mentioned. Why not post a comment and share yours?