August 15, 2007

Seriously... I Just Might Do It

I spoke with Emily Friedman of ABC news on the phone yesterday as she was interested in hearing my views on the latest toy recalls. (I love when people want to hear my opinion!) You can view the article here today. (You can read what I had to say on page 3 of the article.)

I think I'm really going to be serious about scrutinizing all of the toys in our playroom and want to plan out just how I can make all our gifts this year for Christmas. I wasn't kidding in my post yesterday. It just makes sense- from a "greener point of view" and also until I feel confident in what I am spending our money on for now.

And also, if anything, it's a time to re-think about the excess in my home right now. I would be embarrassed if some of you could see how many toys my kids have. I can blame it on loving grandparents and aunts & uncles, but you know, I could do something about this if I really wanted to.

Amy at Musings Of A Crunchy, Domestic Goddess has a great post with some good ideas during this time. I think we need to take this stuff seriously. I don't feel like I am acting in fear, but out of awareness. The only way we can get things to change is to do something about it!
By Stephanie Precourt, Adventures In Babywearing - 9:50 AM
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28 comments:

  1. Steph, I am absolutely horrified at the news even today regarding the stuff coming out of China. I am serious about the ban. I'm sure it will be difficult, but I no longer accept this as an American citizen. It's waaaaaay to scary!
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  2. I think it's a good idea to go through it all. I really need to do it as well. And, how awesome that you might have your views shared with ABC news!
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  3. That's something I have to do too,Congrats on the abc news article.
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  4. Go for it! I can't believe all the toys that are now harmful to our children!
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  5. Oh I know -- Amvets is scheduled to come next week. I am decluttering big time.

    And about all the China toy recalls....so discouraging and just plain wrong!!!
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  6. I don't think you are overreacting at all. These recalls have been through what have been reputable companies - Fisher-Price, Mattel, etc. This is a result of outsourcing without the companies involved overseeing the implementation of proper US standards as well as not fully understanding the culture of the countries to which they have outsourced. China does not have strict laws governing the use of lead paint so they would not think anything of using it in the production of toys, etc. It is up to us to see that any place being used as an outsource comply with the standards we expect in our toys. Lead paint is a serious problem especially in toys. After all what child hasn't chewed on his or her toys and lead poisoning is a serious issue.
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  7. It's so scary to think how much we don't know about the things we buy! We're pretty heavy books and wooden block these days, but I really need to sort through X's toy bins. I've been looking into a lot of really great wooden toys that are German made and EXCEED US safety regulations. I'll email you some links...
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  8. Congrats on the article!

    It's been pretty scary to read all the recalls. Definitely makes me rethink the toys we have - especially with a little one putting everything she can find in her mouth!
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  9. i totally agree about acting out of awareness, not out of fear. i think it's good to act on this now to help bring about change for the better. good for you for doing your part.
    you'll have to let us know if you will be on ABC news! :)
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  10. Woo-hoo on the article by the way!
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  11. Luckily, I went through the recall list and we don't have any of those toys! But it does make me wonder exactly WHAT are we bringing into our homes. So many people just laugh at you when you are trying to be green and then the news reports things like this...maybe all wooden toys would be a good idea. :-) My kids rarely ever play with their toys unless other kids come over, so I felt like they'd be safe either way. Very scary!!
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  12. You are like a rockstar! Another interview, how cool!

    I think we should really start a Mattel-boycot, there is no excuse - how this can happen?

    It's the healthy of our children, and WE have the power to change things!
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  13. It has inspired me to clean house as well. Though our overabundance of toys comes by way of stuffed animals, which are the regular gifts from loving family. I can't tell you how many garbage bags I've sent to the thrift story. Lovingly, of course. :-)
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  14. I agree with the idea of making home-made items for Christmas. My favorite gifts to receive are pictures in frames of my family or knitted scarves (hint hint) ..Grampy has already started a project for Abby, making large old fashioned building blocks with stenciling letters and pictures of toys, like he made Noah.
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  15. I am impressed with you interview with ABC. Cool.
    I reacted to the toy recall the same way...I have been checking toys and throwing out some excess. Toys seem to reproduce while we are all sleeping I think...
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  16. Congrats on your interview. I have to say that the thoughts you've expressed did cross my mind yesterday, especially about removing/not buying the toys made in China.

    I love the idea of homemade Christmas, too. I've wondered the last couple of years how homemade gifts would be received by my family and friends.
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  17. Great quotes from you. And I'm right with you... I"m not sure if the recalls or the amount of toys Emma owns is scarier! I hate to throw anything away with the new baby coming, but I am knee-deep in primary-colored plastic and stuffed animals!
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  18. We went way overboard with our girls too, Steph. What a relief it was to get rid of all those toys except the very special ones I saved for grandchildren. The trick now, as a Nana, is to remember this and not get crazy with the grandkids!
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  20. I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts. I'm thrilled that my sons are getting older and veering away from "toys" so to speak. At least those for younger children involved in recalls.

    I am also trying to become more aware, lessen the needless huge stash of junk around the house...toys included.
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  21. I totally 100% agree with you - these things from China have GOT TO GO - and homemade really is - BETTER MADE! Though I like family made or mama made more than homemade! :)

    You go girl - now to figure out idea's for just WHAT to make everyone - I mean to make everyones gift is gonna take some serious time!
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  22. Good for you newsworthy girl! I can't imagine all of the worries that come with motherhood! I love your ideas of making gifts, I make jewelry and that's what most people get as gifts from me. I haven't gotten any complaints yet! :)
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  23. As we venture into the land of 'getting toys' this is a good post to read! I totally agree and would love to hear about your gift-making plans!!

    Thanks for the comment on my vaccine post and for introducing me to the issue in the first place. :)

    Polly
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  24. Books are always fabulous I think!
    Anyway, we have decided we have too many things around here - it's scary how much stuff we have. We plan on getting rid of a lot things. I already explained to my kids over the next month we will be cleaning out and parring down - all of us - mom and dad too!
    They are a bit sad but taking it in stride. I just blogged about it the other day here!
    Also, I'm all about homemade Christmas gifts frankly! Maybe it's time to start a homemade Christmas club right now! We can plan, share and talk about the things we will make and how we do it? Just a thought if you are serious about doing that since you have such a large readership! =)
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  25. We had some of the recalled Thomas items, but thankfully none of the Mattel toys.

    Dh and I already decided that we are going to just do 2-3 nice toys for each child for Christmas, and that's it. We'll be looking for toys that are made in USA, Canada or Europe.

    And a LOT of the books I've seen/bought lately have been made in China as well. Grr.
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  26. My kids have a STUPID amount of toys. They're the only grandkids and everyone wants to dazzle them at Christmas and birthday - but they have TOO much. It's awful.
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  27. It is terrible....I wrote my own little posting about what I am doing and what I encourage all parents to do (including emailing and mailing each major toy manufacturer and demanding they stop this madness!). And it has such deeper roots than just what they make toys with....the USA exports jobs to China to help boost their communist economy...well, mainly because they hold $650 billion in bonds that they can cash in at any given time and completely bankrupt America....so we turn a blind eye to taking away American jobs and handing them over to China. They feed fish with lead in it to their own people--they know exactly what they are doing! But if we threaten sanctions (like we did last week), they throw the debt in our face. So our own government would rather sacrifice our pets, children, and our own well being because we are too afraid to step up to China on matters such as these and others. Until Mattel, Hasbro, etc takes their business away from China, no more money from me I guess.

    http://adventuresofatwentysomethingmother.blogspot.com/2007/08/we-interrupt-this-vacation-for.html
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  28. You've motivated me! I'm doing a homemade Christmas this year! Come join me if you want to as well over here
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