Since writing about crafts and DIY projects last week, and reading the posts from two Blog to Inspire entrants—Jill Amery’s ideas for at home activities and Gwen Floyd’s dress-up box—I decided to write about the longest and most used toys in my family. I write in praise of play cloths. You know, play silks, squares…Read the full article.

This following post was an entry in our Blog to Inspire contest. The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and not necessarily those of Eco Baby Steps or Parenting By Nature. Blog to Inspire entrant Left Coast Mama is Gwen Floyd of Vancouver—mother, blogger, and lover of sarcasm. I am the…Read the full article.

Air pollution where I live is bad to the point that I often have difficulty speaking during the most polluted times. Eyes water, breathing hurts. Children are kept inside rather than going outside for recess. I was part of a group of local citizens who founded a nonprofit organization to find solutions to the problem…Read the full article.

This following post was an entry in our Blog to Inspire contest. The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and not necessarily those of Eco Baby Steps or Parenting By Nature. Blog to Inspire entrant Tiny Offerings is Julia Bain. Recently our family and friends celebrated my eldest daughters fifth birthday.…Read the full article.

Today is day #21 of my new Save Green Habit: run the stairs every day. For me, is running up and down stairs a habit? Well, yes, but I’m going to put this one into the second round again. I thought I would be running 30 minutes a day by now. HA! Habit and strength…Read the full article.

As I sit here drinking tap water that tastes suspiciously like chlorine, I am aware that I need to rethink my water filter. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a very helpful and thorough guide to tap water, including finding a filter specific to your own water. 1. Identify the contaminants in your home tap…Read the full article.

Yesterday, I read Blog to Inspire entrant Jill Amery’s great ideas for low-cost or no-cost not-quite-structured play. It takes such a light parenting touch like this to balance the child’s desire for guidance with their need to explore their own ideas. During the summer, my kids spend a lot of time outside. There is really…Read the full article.

This following post was an entry in our Blog to Inspire contest. The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and not necessarily those of Eco Baby Steps or Parenting By Nature. Blog to Inspire entrant Jill Amery is a mom of 2 small boys and the Editor-in-Chief of UrbanMommies.com, a hip…Read the full article.

It’s a month after solstice and the days are getting longer, but there is less distraction of holiday twinkle lights. The darkness of winter becomes more apparent. Long before winter blues becomes clinically diagnosed Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), you can take steps to keep yourself and your children healthy—and it doesn’t take a $200 light…Read the full article.

Sometimes those of us in the natural parenting community find it difficult to wade past the labels we end up receiving because of our unique views on everything from wooden toys to home remedies. Those on the “outside” take one look at us with our babies wearing cloth diapers and amber necklaces, strapped to us…Read the full article.