For the first time in a long time, this summer-to-fall shift is
a back to school moment for real in my household -- my two and a
half year old begins a (very minimal) preschool program (in
October). We're going with her, as it's a cooperative
school, and generally anticipating a tremendous amount of cuteness
and hilarity. We're also anticipating an onslaught of
stuff.
I am by nature and by profession anti-stuff -- how much junk does
one kid need? I wasn't brought up this way and I used to be a
big consumer. But the greener I get, the less stuff I can tolerate.
Every person who asks me advice on how to stock a nursery pre-baby,
for example, gets the same answer: all a baby actually needs is a
boob, a diaper, and a swaddling blanket. How much does any of us
really need? But there are certain times of the year, just as there
are certain times in life (like the arrival of a newborn), that
come with a stuff-alanche. For the beginning of the school year,
I'm talking new clothes, new shoes, new book bags, new
lunchboxes, pencils, pens, highlighters, white out, art supplies,
pencil cases, stickers, notebooks, calculators, staplers, glue
sticks, and so, so much more. I cannot begin to stress how much of
this is totally, completely extraneous. What happened to the last
school year's items? Did they suddenly lose their capacity to
work over the course of a summer vacation? Even if something did
break in the short and sunny interim, what ever happened to mending
items, then continuing to use them? Yes, I'm well aware that
kids grow out of shoes. But ever hear of hand-me-downs? Perhaps
these won't cut it with older kids who feel pressured to be
outfitted in the latest, coolest kicks. Try referring to them as
vintage? And for young kids, they're a no-brainer.
My disdain for the new is many-fold. First, it's categorically
and quite obviously un-environmental. What's
reduce/reuse/recycle about yet another pair of new jeans made from
sprayed conventional cotton, processed and dyed with harsh
chemicals, then hopefully not put together in a sweatshop, and
flown across the globe? Especially when we have more hand-me-downs
than our girl could ever use. And if she somehow did tear
unmendable holes in all pant-knees, we also have some excellent
second hand stores nearby. Why does she "need" three new
notebooks when she's still working on filling up several we
already have? I know spending money is good for the economy, but
I'd prefer to mark her passage into school with a special
family meal, or a back-to-school trip to a kids' museum or the
Coney Island
aquarium. Second, with every new thing parents bring into the
home, we also bring in potential harm. Everything from lunchboxes
to permanent markers contain chemicals not good for young children
(or adults for that matter) to be exposed to. I'm not saying my
daughter doesn't get a box of crayons from time to time. But
they're not the 1,000 colors in a box type; they're made
from beeswax and safer dyes. Third, and this is neither an
environmental nor an environmental health-related point: I cannot
stand clutter. We live in a very small, very efficient space.
There's no room for extraneous stuff. I certainly have
fantasies about what life would be like with more space. But, in a
way, our small apartment keeps any consumerism at bay. It keeps us
in line.
So, when you're out there navigating stores in the scary name
of back to school shopping, really think about what the kids need
versus what they (or you) want. Even better, make lists before you
shop and stick to them. And set out to buy the eco-friendliest versions of everything on your
list. This includes recycled paper (notebooks and the like), safer
art supplies, reusable water bottles, and more. Look into anything
you might be able to buy used (ice skates or other big athletic
equipment, for example) or even rent for the year (like
instruments)?
Certain wonderful grandparents in my life who shall remain nameless
are all about buying new for new events. And although I find it
touching they're so excited about our new venture into the big
girl world of school, I'm deflecting and declining all
school-related purchases. Well, unless they offer to pay
tuition!
posted by Alexandra
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