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Middle Years (7-12)

The green scene Where to find eco-friendly fashions – plus other news and tips for parents of children ages 7 through 12. By Michele PiazzoniPublished: October, 2008

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Preteens looking for eco-conscious clothing may find their search a bit more challenging than that of new parents looking for organic baby blankets, or vegan shoe shoppers willing to drop hundreds of dollars on a single pair. Organic cotton and other materials tend to cost much more than traditional clothing materials, so it can be hard for parents on a budget to rationalize spending significantly more on items their children will either outgrow or destroy before the season ends. But for savvy kids whose fashion sense involves chemical-free cotton or sustainable bamboo, some affordable options are available: > At JC Penney’s, kids can find recycled jeans in a variety of styles: skinny, bootleg and flare. The Arizona brand jeans are made from 99 percent recycled (pre-consumer) cotton and 1 percent spandex, and are “distressed” for a lived-in look. $40. > Quicksilver just introduced the Slightly Choppy board short, with artwork from company designer Scott Richards. The design is printed on 100 percent eco-friendly organic cotton, and a percentage of sales benefits the Surfrider Foundation. $59.50 > Levis now offers a selection of organic jeans identified by a lowercase “e” embroidered inside the front pocket or at the bottom of the right leg. They’re made from 98 percent recycled denim, and buttons and zippers are from recycled metal. About $69. > Most boys’ T-shirts in the DC kids collection are made from 6 percent organic cotton (it’s a start) and retail for about $15. > One of the most obvious sources for eco-friendly clothes is in closets or local consignment and thrift stores. Throw a party where kids get together and trade things that no longer fit. Prices seldom top a few dollars. Either way, with a little creativity, preteens can create their own eco-conscious fashion designs.    For details about organic clothes, as well as upcoming products for preteens, check out treehugger.com. Teach kids about voting As the presidential election is all over the news right now, it’s a great time to teach kids how our electoral process works. Here are some tips for doing that: > Keep it simple and fun. Watch the debates together and print out electoral- college maps from the Internet. For more ideas, visit kidsvotingusa.org, an educational Web site for K-12. > Take the kids to the polls. Some local polling places offer a children’s practice ballot. And let them go in the voting booth with you! > Follow local politics. Kids need to know that their mayor, city council and school board make decisions that affect their lives. Visit the mayor’s office, sit where the council members sit. It’s a good place to teach kids that their vote will matter someday. > Sing America’s songs. Researchers say that we’re losing part of our national identity, because we seldom sing traditional American songs. National songs are ignored in favor of pop hits. Teach kids the American classics. Visit scoutsongs.com for lyrics. > Talk with a veteran. It’s a great way to learn about our country’s history and to show appreciation for those who have served. > Set an example. Kids watch what we do and tells them what we value. Display a flag, turn on the T.V. for inaugural events and watch State of the Union addresses and presidential funerals. n Michelle Piazzoni is a regular contributor to OC Family magazine. Fling the flip-flops It’s apparent that flip-flops are the footwear of choice among young girls these days – even as the weather gets cooler.  If you already think these flimsy shoes are too casual for school, here’s yet another reason to encourage alternative footwear:     Researchers at Auburn University found that flip-flops actually alter the way you walk. Flip-flop wearers tend to take shorter steps. This puts more stress on the body, because they have to move more to go the same distance. The end result is a higher risk of muscle and joint pain in the legs.     Another problem with flip-flops is the typical “toe scrunching” in order to keep them on the foot. Such constant pressure can result in throbbing and tenderness in the toes. What’s more, wearers can’t lift their feet up as much when they walk. Hence, the characteristic flip-flop shuffle.

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