Who am I? (and other thoughts to ponder)

I'm a former journalist, now mom to a preschooler and toddler. For years, my brother has insinuated (okay, he's outright said) that I am paranoid. Not in general, per se, but in terms of my kids. And in a sense, he's right. Ever since I was blessed with caring for these two little beings, my sense of responsibility has been inalterably heightened. (and for the record, my brother is single and does not have kids). 


For example, I may leave the house without makeup or without showering, but I would never, ever dream of leaving home without a stash of santizing wipes and sprays (all natural, of course!). When we fly, I can be seen vigorously wiping down all surfaces within a 3 foot radius of my kids with a ubiquitous substance that rhymes with "Shmorox." My kids change clothes after school if they want to nap and I'm hoping they don't develop OCD from all the handwashing we do around here. We try to eat organic as much as possible, use natural cleaners, shun parabens in our soaps and limit toys made in china and cheap jewels. I keep them a safe distance from the microwave, they wear bike helmets and sunscreen and their pillowcases and mattresses are encased. Oh, and we also take our shoes off when we come inside. 


But despite what you might think, I'm not all gloom and doom. So, what I want to know is, why is paranoia always viewed as a negative thing? After all, some of the greatest discoveries of our time originated out of a sense of fear. So many things that we once deemed "safe" are now thought otherwise, such as second-hand smoke, drinking during pregnancy, x-rays, not using seatbelts, etc. The people who first investigated whether or not these behaviors were safe were not considered paranoid, they were just going the extra mile in their investigating and helping alert the public to potential dangers in their midst. 


So, you can choose to view this information one of two ways -- As a depressing dumping ground for fears and "what if's" that will leave your head spinning. Or, as an invaluable portal of information that will leave you empowered with the latest studies, recalls and advances in medical science and parenting. We are not powerless. We have the choice and voice to make the world a better, healthier, more vibrant place for your kids and mine. And yes, I know that you can't control everything all of the time -- but you can control some things some of the time. What you choose to worry about and take control of is completely up to you. I just supply the information. Think of this blog as a buffet, you take what you need and what is of use to you, and leave the rest for someone else. 


I don't want to depress you, or make you want to curl up in the fetal position and hide under the covers for fear of what's out there lurking to get you. I just want to make parents aware that information exists that can help them make choices that may ultimately prove beneficial for their families. If you want to purchase inexpensive trinkets from the the discount chain, you should know that many have been recalled for excessive lead or cadmium. If you want to let your kids borrow your iphone to play games, you should know that all cellphones give off radiation and perhaps it's wise to limit their exposure just a bit. I'm not passing judgement -- just facts and figures. 


If your kids never wear sunscreen and you are fine letting your 2-year old ride without a carseat if you're just going out for a quick errand, and you send your kids to school when they are sick because it will help build immunity in their classmates, this blog probably isn't up your alley. But if you are interested in up-to-date data that could impact the life of your family and provide ways to minimize risk to those you hold dear, you might find something interesting in here. No need to cover your eyes and peek through your fingers.


Let's get started.....