The views expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect those of The Cradle. Consult with your physician or health care professional before following any of the advice contained in this article.
nna Getty’s passion for living a conscious and eco-friendly existence affects every role that she has taken on: Yoga teacher, environmental advocate, and most recently, mother.
Here she shares her personal wisdom on creating a healthy, green, and connected life.
The Cradle: How would you define conscious parenting?
Anna: For me, conscious parenting is staying attuned to your child, being really open and in the moment. It means staying as present as possible in your own breath for the betterment of your whole family.
Parenting is not just about you and your kid; it’s also about whomever you’re parenting your child with. So there is a kind of “awareness” involved for everybody. It’s all about the way you interact with your child and participate in your child’s life. When you find a way to be really receptive to your child’s needs and really listen, you can be more open to what they say they want or what they say they need.
In terms of conscious parenting, one of the greatest things I learned is from RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers): Slow down, stop and listen, and take time to respond and be present.
The Cradle: Implementing a green lifestyle can seem overwhelming. What are some simple steps new parents can take to get ready for baby?
Anna: The first thing I did was get rid of the toxic cleaning products in my house. Nowadays, especially on Healthy Child Healthy World, we have so much information about these carcinogenic products. So the first step is easy – just get them out of the house. Do some research on the products you’re using and what healthy alternatives are available.
Secondly, eat organic. And find alternatives to diapers that are made with toxic chemicals. You do not want that against your baby’s skin. Nowadays there are so many [alternatives] like G Diapers, which are totally biodegradable. Whole Foods even has their own non-chlorinated diapers that are made in a non-toxic way without chemicals (and they’re cheaper than Seventh Generation). Also, there are many organic [cloth] diapers available on line now, which you can wash at home, [or use] diaper services.
As for the toxic diapers – you’ve got to really think about what touches your baby skin. Most people know that bleach is toxic, so find an alternative.
You want to create the healthiest environment possible. For some people, that means doing whatever it takes. For others, it means taking baby steps and working their way into it.
