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« Perchlorate -- Let's Get Serious | Main | Toxic babies »
But mom, they're pretty.
Last week I lamented the nail polish offered to my 3-year-old daughter by our hairdresser. This week, I'm back with another toxic situation on my hands. This time, from the dentist. And again, my daughter.
Her first trip to the dentist
So here's the story: we love our dentist. They work wonders with kids, never complain about the complications with our dental insurance, and are conveniently located. So what's not to love, right?
The treasure box, that's what. You know the drill: the kids do well in the chair, so they get rewarded with a trip to the treasure box, where they can select any (often toxic) trinket that their little heart desires.
Taking things away - all. the. time.
OK, so this might seem like small potatoes compared to the positives, but when my kids come home with brightly colored play necklaces (most likely covered in lead paint), I'm not so happy. And when I have to get rid of yet another toy because it is/might be harmful to my children's health, I'm even more unhappy. As are they.
As I said last week, I regularly say "no" to my kids (don't we all?), but what gets me is how I often I find myself taking away seemingly simple pleasures because they're not simple, not when they're toxic.
And since I don't - and won't - have access to an expensive lead testing machine, I make decisions based on what I've read (kids jewelery often contains lead paint) and the fact that - and here's the big one for me - I've lost my trust in the government and manufacturers to protect my kids' environmental health. Which is precisely why I've taken on that role myself.
"But mama, it doesn't have lead in it"
Since my my daughter is three, she still puts things in her mouth. Like play necklaces...and the lead that may well be on them. The serious adverse effects of lead are well known, and as a parent I take them seriously. The likelihood that painted play jewelery contains lead paint is also pretty well known - though without testing it I can't be sure.
It breaks my heart and makes me really mad all at the same time to hear my daughter say "But mama, it doesn't have lead in it," to convince me to let her keep the necklaces.
I don't want to take the necklaces away. Really, I don't. But isn't it my job, as her caregiver, to keep her away from lead and any other toxic chemical that could hurt her? To take away the necklaces because they aren't safe? What would you do? Do you feel this way, too?
Some good news: The Kid-Safe Chemicals Act
I take heart in knowing that the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act is gaining traction. And that I can get behind it and DO something to improve this mess, right from home. Visit our Kid-Safe web page to see what it's all about it and get involved. You can get started right now by signing The Declaration.
I do the same thing. Fortunately, my kids haven't noticed much. Usually I wait until they've lost interest in it (later that day), then I throw it out. I feel bad, too.
The other option is to keep it somewhere and only get it out while you can keep your eyes on her and make sure it doesn't go into her mouth.
I'm also the Mum that goes through party favor bags and removes the candy loaded with high fructose corn syrup and artificial food colorings. I try to be laid back about it, but I can't.
Joanna, Those necklaces I wrote about are safely parked in an upper kitchen cabinet until, as you say, they are happily forgotten about. I am that party favor bag mom, too. As my husband says, I'm trying to live a Plan B life in a Plan A world - an apt description in my mind. Glad I'm not alone!
Also, as a follow-up, there was an article in Science News on the adverse health effects of lead in older women. An excerpt says it all:
"After menopause, women face a rapidly increasing risk of heart disease. In short order, heart attacks and other manifestations of heart disease become the leading causes of death in women. One possible, newfound contributor to the postmenopausal spike in lethal heart disease: lead."
The article is here: http://bit.ly/OQnJv
I haven't figured this whole mess out yet: my family doesn't seem to take my concerns seriously and has continued to buy my daughter plastic toys and I never know what to say to other people that are trying to be nice by buying her gifts. The lastest: a cheap plastic easter basket filled with plastic easter eggs and plastic "grass", which my sweet older neighbor brought up. I had no idea what to do and was cringing as my daughter joyfully pulled out the "grass" and played with the eggs. I didn't have the heart to take it away while my neighbor was here or say anything. What could I have done? And what do I do in the future?
I have had the exact same thing happen, only from our dentist's treasure box come tiny bendable plastic trinkets from China, loaded with phthalates and god know what else!
I wait until they drop it in the car or forget about it then I hide it.
Go Kid Safe chemical act!
Katy
www.non-toxickids.net