I wonder if I’m just out of the blogger mode but it seems that the nights that I have the time and the space to write a post has me often sitting here wondering what to write about. I used to have no trouble with finding things to write.
Now I'm realizing that I rarely ever sat down with a specific post in mind. In fact, more often than not, I would just start writing. Topics would pop out of my fingers and there it would be, a post. Probably not the most coherent and eloquent post, but I had some semblance of an idea there and a few digression deletions later, I would be heading off to do whatever I used to do with myself when I had one child and… lordy, what
did I do with myself?
I think I asked myself that exact question after Franklin was born. What kind of valuable time did I waste before I had a child? I could have been saving the world. I could have had a PhD. Two, even.
Anyway – coulda woulda shoulda.
I’ve been thinking a lot about genetics these days. Franklin seems to have developed an
allergic reaction to latex. My father thinks I may be off the mark about this but it has been twice now that my son has opened a new toy and had an allergic reaction much like that described for those allergic to latex.
When plastic is made it usually involves chemicals or other agents to allow the plastic to release from the production molds more easily. Sometimes these are not rinsed properly. Someone I know has mentioned to me that we may want to keep an eye out for potential latex allergies, as sometimes a latex based dust is used in these molds.
My father is allergic to latex and this type of allergy can be genetic. It can also be a sensitivity that can get worse the more exposed you are to latex.
However, genetics aside, I wonder if this kind of allergy and many others that children seem to have been developing more readily is a product of our chemical world. The build-up on their little bodies must be horrendous. At this point, I really wonder how much genetics really play into allergies anymore. I wonder if we are totally redefining what we would traditional see as genetics through our dependence on chemicals in everything we do – from the diapers we put on our babies to the formaldehyde we use to preserve our dead.
Charity has mentioned to me that she is thinking of going
shampoo free. We already use environmentally sensitive cleaning agents in our home, eat organic and cloth diaper(ed) both children but I think we can do better. I think I’m going to try and drastically cut back on the chemicals we are exposed to. This isn’t a case of ridding our home of germs and then unwittingly make our children more susceptible to colds and flu when they are out of the house. This is a prevention of chemical build-up that could potentially prevent more allergic responses and perhaps more serious diseases further on in their lives.
Hell, if anything, it will provide entertaining blog fodder for awhile.
Posted by Ada
Comments
Way back in the day when I was at UVic I took a chemistry class that changed the way I thought about everyday stuff we use (even toothpaste!). I remember the prof talking about trans fats - and this was in the late 80's.
Once I had kids, I really looked at all the chemicals I was using in the house, and to be honest, I was more paranoid about the little munchkins getting into them and eating/drinking/playing with the stuff. So I replaced everything. It is amazing how far some vinegar and water goes. I still think I can do much more as well - and I look forward to any ideas you come up with!