Comments on: Moderation: The Key to Environmentalism and Just About Everything http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/01/10/moderation-the-key-to-environmentalism-and-just-about-everything/ Green and Natural Parenting for Eco-Friendly Families Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:34:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: pinkrunningshoes http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/01/10/moderation-the-key-to-environmentalism-and-just-about-everything/#comment-7919 pinkrunningshoes Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:26:06 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2543#comment-7919 I think your message about moderation in being an activist/teacher/resource and breastfeeding/formula and bottle would be better conveyed if you removed the parenthetical about you cringing internally if someone you know opted to use formula or a bottle. Those who have failed at breastfeeding or have chosen not to breastfeed, for any number of reasons, generally bear a lot of guilt all on their own and feel as if they must always fully explain to others that they TRIED breastfeeding and it didn't work because of A, B, C and yes they tried 1, 2, 3 or they couldn't because of a, b, c. In the end there ARE situations where the breast is not best. So if your friends who read this, ever have to use a bottle or formula (including those who work in industries where pumping is just not feasible...or those who fall ill and breastfeeding is not an option), they'll now know that although you're preaching tolerance and understanding to their face, inside you're judging. That is contrary to the entire purpose of your post...and generally what this blog tries to accomplish. I think your message about moderation in being an activist/teacher/resource and breastfeeding/formula and bottle would be better conveyed if you removed the parenthetical about you cringing internally if someone you know opted to use formula or a bottle.

Those who have failed at breastfeeding or have chosen not to breastfeed, for any number of reasons, generally bear a lot of guilt all on their own and feel as if they must always fully explain to others that they TRIED breastfeeding and it didn’t work because of A, B, C and yes they tried 1, 2, 3 or they couldn’t because of a, b, c. In the end there ARE situations where the breast is not best. So if your friends who read this, ever have to use a bottle or formula (including those who work in industries where pumping is just not feasible…or those who fall ill and breastfeeding is not an option), they’ll now know that although you’re preaching tolerance and understanding to their face, inside you’re judging. That is contrary to the entire purpose of your post…and generally what this blog tries to accomplish.

]]> By: Aaron http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/01/10/moderation-the-key-to-environmentalism-and-just-about-everything/#comment-7921 Aaron Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:52:48 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2543#comment-7921 Good post, moderation is a painless solution to an alarmingly high amount of our problems. It is also imperative that we try to convince others of our views in just the same way we would like to be convinced. One thing I'd like to point out, however, is that one area I notice moms lacking moderation is in safety. Sure, we should go to great lengths to reduce risks that are reasonably risky and preventable, but the degree to which "safety" becomes fear can be surprising. For instance, check out this video from TED about carseats: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/steven_levitt_on_child_carseats.html I think it is as important to not be alarmist about these sorts of things as anything else. Over the top safety is just that: over the top. I would still suggest using carseats until people like Mr. Levitt can further substantiate their research and provide more effective alternatives. However, we should face issues of safety with the same doubt and criticism that we would with anything else. To some extent, even risk itself is something that must be approached in moderation. It may be especially difficult for mothers to accept this (understandably so), but the extremes of risk aversion can detrimentally affect the lives of you and yours just like any other extreme. Good post, moderation is a painless solution to an alarmingly high amount of our problems. It is also imperative that we try to convince others of our views in just the same way we would like to be convinced. One thing I’d like to point out, however, is that one area I notice moms lacking moderation is in safety. Sure, we should go to great lengths to reduce risks that are reasonably risky and preventable, but the degree to which “safety” becomes fear can be surprising. For instance, check out this video from TED about carseats:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/steven_levitt_on_child_carseats.html

I think it is as important to not be alarmist about these sorts of things as anything else. Over the top safety is just that: over the top. I would still suggest using carseats until people like Mr. Levitt can further substantiate their research and provide more effective alternatives. However, we should face issues of safety with the same doubt and criticism that we would with anything else.
To some extent, even risk itself is something that must be approached in moderation. It may be especially difficult for mothers to accept this (understandably so), but the extremes of risk aversion can detrimentally affect the lives of you and yours just like any other extreme.

]]> By: Meg http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/01/10/moderation-the-key-to-environmentalism-and-just-about-everything/#comment-7920 Meg Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:50:18 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2543#comment-7920 I agree. No one likes a know it all and that is a sure way to alienate people. I have friends all over the green spectrum. Although conservation and the environment are important to me, I do not choose my friends on how green they may or may not be. I agree. No one likes a know it all and that is a sure way to alienate people. I have friends all over the green spectrum. Although conservation and the environment are important to me, I do not choose my friends on how green they may or may not be.

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