Comments on: Green Guilt – Confessions of a Not So Perfect Mommy

By: Debbie

Debbie — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 02:57:39 +0000

Oh, thank you! I was just wrestling this over in my mind when I forgot my bags for the umteenth time and was handed my grocery purchase in a plastic bag. ‘SIGH’ I am trying but you are right, it is a journey. I have made big strides, but I’m no super green mom. Thanks for doing the “confessing” for me. Love your blog!

By: Anna

Anna — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:13:26 +0000

Oh man!

By: lornadoone

lornadoone — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:46:28 +0000

I remember an email I got about six months ago. One gentleman said that my blog was laughable with all the disreputable companies I promote, products that are not fair trade, and in general I was just not the “green” person I claimed to be.

Hey, I think that guy must get around . . . I’ve had some similar comments and emails about how changing a lightbulb is a worthless effort, etc. Oh, and one person wanted to know if I bought carbon offsets since I obviously used a computer. Um . . . sure.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:39:26 +0000

I am a newish reader of yours and I’ve appreciated your blog very much. Of course this is an evolving process, and I think you’ve done a great job explaining to the public how we can go about this one day at a time (or one purchase at a time). I find your information very useful and it has given me ideas where to start in our own home.

I would like to take this time to ask you about chemical-free carpet cleaner solution. I’m sorry if you’ve touched on this subject in the past. We live in a home with carpet that I would love to exchange out for wood floors, but because of our limited finances at the time, it isn’t happening for a while. I have my own Hoover carpet cleaner, but you know the crap you buy for it is one of the biggest offenders out there.

Do you have any recipes for chemical-free cleaner that is safe to use in a carpet cleaner?

Thank you!

By: Jen@BigBinder

Jen@BigBinder — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:31:34 +0000

I have never figured out a better cleaner than bleach. I have tried; but I just have a ‘yucky’ feeling when I don’t use it after cutting up a chicken or after someone in my house has a cold or something. Hopefully it keeps everyone in my family off of antibiotics and where I lack in environmental health; I make up for in the public health issue.

By: Anna Martin

Anna Martin — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:06:25 +0000

I love this discussion happening around “green guilt”. I think that we are all continually looking at where we could improve, however, I hate to think of having so much guilt over small mishaps that we begin to secretly hate living. The world needs to read about people like Tiffany who is living a real life with real complexities and see that becoming green is an evolving process. We can’t set-up an image that says to newcomers “Green Thinkers” have it all figured out. We need to foster a community of trying to figures things out as we go.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:00:04 +0000

Great post Tiffany. I agree with you about the fact that people tend to their their own uncertainty and guilt against people who have the guts to make the decision they didn’t make… I see this all the time with people who staunchly defend their vaccinating their kids but who say they were absolutely gut sick about it and couldn’t even watch it taking place! Ditto for circumcision.

You said: “It is just not possible, for me at least, to address every single object in my house and switch it out for the more green and natural version”

Actually replacing stuff with greener stuff would not be the best thing for the environment. I read an article the other day about hybrid cars, and how buying one prematurely could actually have an unintended effect. It’s better to drive your car until the wheels fall of and then replace it with a greener one, ditto for other stuff. But you probably already know that. ;)

By: Av0gadro

Av0gadro — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:01:52 +0000

I want to point out that I like your site partially because you’re not perfect. I know I’m incapable of perfection, but your blog is filled with suggestions made by someone who seems more approachable and more like me than anyone “perfect” could ever be.

Besides, I’m half convinced that the perfect moms’ kids grow up to be serial killers and middle management :)

By: Kristen

Kristen — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:50:25 +0000

Good post! I have lots to say, but not the time! My biggest green guilt is M&Ms. I know I *should* buy the more natural, no artificial flavoring versions at the health food store, but they just aren’t the same…
(I should add that I have MANY worse habits on the green scale than M&Ms!)