(2010)
Joy Hatch
Rebecca Kelley
Finished Reading: 05.2010
Besides the cute owl on the cover, this book contains some great ideas and methods for raising a child in an environmentally friendly way. Greener living doesn't always mean more expensive - even with a baby. With a little effort in doing things a little differently, parents can be satisfied with some level of a greener beginning for their child's life. Options are presented for the significant purchases of baby furniture, diapers, food and more. The pros and cons are detailed to promote informed choice and hopefully convince the parents that they don't need all the baby gear that is marketed to the American consumer. Some things can be found second-hand, more earth-friendly options are available, and with many things - we can do without. The parents are at liberty to decide which things work best for their family, as even the two authors diverge on what works best for them. This book is important for all adults who think of themselves as some sort of green parent, and maybe those who don't should check it out to see why. You may simply change your light bulbs to compact fluorescent and separate the recycling, you might live in a car-free urban situation, or possibly you believe in a one-child, no meat-eating lifestyle or find yourself somewhere in between.
Mixing humor with practicality, the authors have put together an extensive and easy to read guide to prepare you for the new baby. It was easy to skip over some sections which were completely non-applicable to my anticipated situation - such as bottle feeding tips and the best childcare options for working parents. Helpful diagrams are included, such as how to change a diaper and the cost comparison of various types of cloth diapers to disposables, alongside the environmental impacts.
The authors stress the first, and often forgotten of the Three R's - Reduce. Parents can save a lot of money by purchasing less stuff, and they do a good job of explaining why all that extra baby stuff isn't necessary. Far from an dictatorial Eco-manifesto on the best way to raise children, the Eco-nomical Baby Guide describes a range of options available for both the Extraordinarily Green and the Jaded Green parent. The book ends with Ten Simple Things You Can Do for the Planet Right Now (and Four Difficult Ones), challenging readers to see where their commitment to green parenting lies and to set goals for the future and their children's future.
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