Mom guilt does not a sustainable future make
Kimberly Danek Pinkson, Founder of the EcoMom Alliance
The very first thing I ever bought my son was a cradle. I was rather superstitious and not planning to baby shop until I was at least six months pregnant, but as I left Whole Foods and drove by a second hand store with baby furniture in the window, I found myself pulling over and going in. I think it was the hormones driving because before that moment, I had never shopped in a thrift store, unless you count some of L.A.’s vintage boutiques as "thrift stores," but that’s a whole other snobby, semantic story.
Anyway, the first thing I saw was this cradle. Still in its box. Never opened. FSC certified, all natural wood. I felt a little guilty about the impulse buy, but it came home with me. And fittingly, thus began my shopping adventures as a green mom.
Turns out I had nothing to feel guilty about because six years later, I still have that cradle and just thinking about it makes me feel happy again. Plus, two of my nephews, as well as the babies of three dear friends, have all come to use it. With every “recycle” I put on new bedding and tie on new ribbons. It feels good to pass on the memories of my newborn son swaddled within, and it feels good to know that my purchase is being reused over and over. My point here is that going green is easier than you may think -- and in fact, you may already be making some green choices...
So revel in the fact that the little market down the street now sells organic milk and you choose to buy it. Sink into the organic silk sheets you just bought and appreciate how good it feels knowing you are supporting a sustainable business while you snuggle in.
Just don’t feel guilty, because like attracts like and we must begin making choices that create more positive energy. Whether you’re saying no to chairing another event, “stealing” an hour to go for a hike even though the house is a mess and you have a deadline to meet, or taking a little extra time to find those organic cotton jeans you’ve been hearing about, let go of the guilt and go for it. You’re much more sustainable like that.
When I first bought that cradle, I felt a little guilty. Now I laugh and see it as a prophetic moment, considering my work in the area of sustainability.
In the groundbreaking book by William McDonough and Michael Braungart called Cradle to Cradle, the authors' contention is that we can become creators (and consumers) of goods and services that generate ecological, social and economic value. There are eco friendly options for living sustainably and guilt does no one any good on any level.
Heck, down the line, what you are feeling guilty about today may end up being something you’re proud of down the line. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, let go of the mom guilt and celebrate the positive you are doing, however big or small because, as Kobi Yamada wrote on the cover of her recent book, “It’s the little things that make life so big.”
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Great post! Thanks for sharing. I especially like the comment "Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, let go of the mom guilt and celebrate the positive you are doing, however big or small..." and will apply it to my life.