Feel like you are alone out there in the Eco wilderness? Are you the only one on your block who buys organic food; the only one who recycles; the only one who worries about phthalates? Sure you can go online and find a large community of like-minded moms but, what about in your neighborhood?
I recently had a blogger mom from my neck of the woods e-mail me asking me to write more on local opportunities. I can, but better yet, I can let her know how to meet moms just like her and me and probably you.
An article in the NY Times just profiled one of these clubs, Eco- Moms, based in Marin County, California. This group of moms meets on a regular basis to share ideas and concerns. Another club with local branches, Holistic Moms does, more or less, the same thing but, is perhaps for those a little greener or for those into alternative parenting too.
Both groups, as the NY Times article highlighted include moms across the spectrum so joining, like belonging to any club is not for the easily affronted. In the green movement, as in any activist organization there are fanatics as well as those only seeking information. Which means you can probably find someone with similar views to yours, those you can learn something from and…those who annoy you.
Are there alternatives? Sure, there actually are a variety of lesser known organizations in which you can meet moms interested in the green lifestyle. Several of these have a particular focus but tend to attract green moms. Here’s a list of a few to consider:
But, you don’t need to join a club to meet green moms. Visit your local Farmer’s Market and talk to other sling toting parents. Check your local listing for green oriented classes offered by many parks and community centers. Sign up for baby yoga. Visit a green store, many encourage you to just hang out and talk to other customers. Talk to other moms when you visit your local natural food store.
Parenting, especially in the beginning can be a lonely business. Take steps to create your own green group of friends early and you’ll have ready-made green playmates for your child as he or she grows up.
Just curious, but have you seen any groups like this for “eco-dads”? I’d love to see information for fathers interested in eco-parenting covered on here.
Yeah, no matter which group I join – book group, mom group, animal rights group, knitting group – there’s always one annoying person. I think it’s an unspoken group rule that one person has to be needy or loud or negative. Hm, I wonder if I’m ever that person? 🙂
You? Never! 🙂
We are trying to get in touch with a national representative for Eco Moms. We have unique eco friendly products and information about Social Networking that you will find very interesting.
Please respond to this email or call Larry Haase at 760-466-7513.
Thank You
Community Leader of the Minnesota Chapter of the EcoMom Alliance. Are you in the Twin Cities? If so, we would like to hear from Moms eager to make a difference and get actively involved locally, thinking globally and changing individually for the betterment of planet earth.
EcoMom Alliance TM
Sustain Your Self
Sustain Your Home
Sustain Your Planet
Moved to Medford, NJ a year ago and I am having a hard time meeting like-minded women. My kids are older (19, 17 and 15) and it isn’t as easy to meet other moms as it used to be when they were little.
I am looking for other women who are concerned about the environment. I would like to share information and ideas with other concerned members of my community.
Pam Cataldo
I’m a part of EcoMom Alliance and an EcoMom Leader in Fairfax,Marin County, CA. (yes, where the orgainization is founded). I have found a great connection with local moms being an EcoMom. Most I found do have a hard time connecting with other moms that have similar interests. Maybe they are afraid to approach other moms normally and knowing from the get go that being an EcoMom is something you already have in common, breaks the ice! I love the support and comradery that happens. I have spear headed chairing Green Halloween events in the Bay Area and that will be kicking off bi-monthly consistant meeting where Mom’s can host a ecomake-up party or do a clothing swap etc. It’s just awesome to get out of the house and do something sustainable for environment all while sustaining yourself too!
We started a local green club with almost thrity moms here in Dallas. The club is young, and Texas in general is not very eco-advanced. But we believe small changes across a group of people make a difference and we are excited about the changes we are already making.
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca – If you’re still out there, take a look at the website saferforyourhome.com. Feel free to email me with questions or if you would like more information.
Wanda
Hi,
It’s great to see that Eco Moms Club began in Fairfax, CA where I lived for 18 years. It is a special treasure in the Bay Area.
I am a Certified Baby Massage Instructor and I am offering a Baby Massage Class in Fairfax, CA, beginning, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. The location is Mountain Yoga Studio in downtown Fairfax, at noon. See brief ad below. Please contact me if you need further information.
“Baby Massage Class”
Where: Yoga Mountain Studio
85 Bolinas Rd., Fairfax, Ca
When: Mondays, 12-1:15 p.m.
Dates: Jan. 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 2009
Fee: Complete 4 class series, $100.
(10% discount prepaid class series)
Or drop-in $25 per class
Teacher: Patricia Joanides, MFT
Certified Instructor of Infant Massage
Licensed Marriage & Family Counselor
For info call: 415/ 488-0745 or
babymassage101@gmail.com
thanks for the post. its in the human nature to want acceptance, to find similarities and connection with other people, and i find its especially important when your a mother! im from a small town where barely anyone thinks the way i do. ive been trying so hard to connect with other eco-friendly, earth loving, organic using mommas. so i hope to find that through the magical world of the internet!
My name is Samira. I am a social entrepreneur who has launched several businesses and e-commerce sites that are socially responsible, ethical and promote multiculturalism. I’m also a mom who likes to “live green” for my family, especially my 1-year old. However, buying organic and eco-friendly products isn’t always affordable. So I created Savy Mamas, a new “daily deals” site where moms like me can save money on organic, green, eco-friendly, handmade and socially responsible products and services.
Savy Mamas also supports a good cause. Savy Mamas will contribute 1% percentage of sales to non-profits and programs that help mothers in the poorest areas of the world, with emphasis on supporting midwife programs, through our “Give to Live” campaign. Unfortunately, millions of women around the world don’t have access proper healthcare and die giving birth and we want to help change that.
Savy Mamas will launch soon. It will help eco-moms save money and save lives. Please join for free at http://www.savymamas.com and follow us on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Savy-Mamas/221235834555066
Thanks so much!!
PS – if you are an eco-friendly/green/organic company who wants to be featured during the launch, shoot us an email at featured@savymamas.com for consideration
I am a Family Nurse Practitioner in Mill Valley. I have cared for many moms over the years. From pregnancy through their labor, and then their infants, as well as their older children and families, I have used these alternative modalities with many good outcomes.
If you are an Eco-mom, you are probably concerned with what you put into your body and your child’s body. As a nurse, my observations of the toxic effects of drugs led me to find non-chemical alternative ways of treating my clients.
I wanted to tell you about the work I do with children with special needs. I am an Anat Baniel Method for Children practitioner, a Feldenkrais practitioner and a homeopath.
While I work with all ages and conditions with these modalities, I want to reach out to children with special needs with a free introductory session in the Anat Baniel Method for the child and parents/caregivers to experience my work and see if it is for them.
The Anat Baniel Method, based on the work of Moshe Feldenkrais, uses gentle touch and movement to access the nervous system and brain. Since training with Anat 6 years ago, I have worked successfully with children with autism, torticollis, cerebral palsy, strokes, congenital hip problems, brain injuries and malformations, and developmental delays. The children have enjoyed the work and have had marked improvements, including increased ability and function, new developmental milestones, a greater sense of themselves, and reduction of spasticity and pain.
You can reach me in Mill Valley at 415 389 8589 or email me, for any questions.
Sincerely,
Peggy Chipkin
Hey – how are you ? Do you ever get back to Boston ? Cheers, Lex