The same day I posted the whys and meanings of green certifications, I caught a link to a report that says that consumers pay little or no attention to the certifications. Consumers don’t trust the trustmarks. That is disheartening for those who are trying to do right by consumers—or even those who are looking for…Read the full article.

At the ABC Kids Expo, I found striking the prominent display of many seals and certifications. One booth displayed a whole row of seals across the back of their booth, the sign looking a bit like a scouting sash full of badges. You’ve probably noticed a similar collection of badges on product packaging in the…Read the full article.

Toxic Chemical Exposure Earlier this week, I mentioned the cloth diaper business meetings and Real Diaper Industry Association annual meeting. One of the treats of the meeting was hearing Jennifer Taggart, The Smart Mama (an environmental attorney and previously an environmental engineer who has been doing a lot of testing for compliance to new U.S.…Read the full article.

Comedian, Jerry Seinfeld once said, “There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.” While family outings do require a lot of work they can be enjoyable for the whole family if properly planned. Toddler tantrums, overtired babies and diaper emergencies can be prevented with proper planning and the right products. The following…Read the full article.

Nature Mom and I just got home from the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas, the big trade show for the juvenile products industries. We walked the show floor looking at a stunning variety of great new products. When we weren’t walking from booth to booth, we attended the cloth diaper business meetings and Real…Read the full article.

As everyone goes back to school—and even back to work after summer vacations—you may find that old routines aren’t working as well. As children get older, they will need adjustment. Or, maybe everyone forgot what the old routines were and you’re all frantically wondering how to fit it all in every morning before you all…Read the full article.

Do you get that back-to-school feeling when you buy school supplies. It’s a dangerous feeling. I get it every time I go to an office supply store, which is why I have entirely too many paper products. I’m trying to help my children have that excitement about the beginning of school without tying it to…Read the full article.

This is the week my daughter discovered her new favorite food: eggs sunny side up. We have local eggs delivered with our local milk, and we’re currently facing an abundance of eggs in our refrigerator. “Would you like eggs and toast for breakfast?” “No, Mama. I don’t want scrambled eggs again.” I think fast, because…Read the full article.

“Mommy, help me.” Which one do you help first? Everyone who has had to juggle a toddler and a baby at the same time knows that if you can keep the stuff to a minimum and the process simple, you can focus on the children. When your toddler needs to tell you all about the…Read the full article.

Time to leave for school and you don’t have the lunch box ready? You need 5-minute lunches. The key to making your quickie lunch preparation work is to keep ingredients on hand. Know what your child will eat. While you are pulling things together, keep a balance between proteins, fruits and vegetables, and grains. Leftover…Read the full article.