The REAL reason SAHMs go green

Hi and Lois
Sept. 25, 2008

You might think that children are our future, and all that crap, but really, it comes down to cash. Or lack of cash. And if the newspaper comics are talking about it, rest assured, it's old news.

This is how we roll

I vowed not to be one of those mothers who enroll their children is countless organized activities, only to become just that sort of mother.

The only criteria I have is that the activity must be very close to our house, or on a bus route. But my town's park and rec department's community center is about a block away, which houses my daughter's preschool and (soon) her dance class. Her swimming class is just a mere half block further, so you can see I have a surprising amount of options.

And I know that some parents think I'm cuckoo by dragging my kids around on a bike, sometimes in pretty crappy weather. The other day, we walked home in torrential downpours with just some rain boots and umbrellas. My neighbor didn't just think I was crazy, he told me so.

But on a bike, I can get in/get out much quicker than in a car. A round trip might take just three or four minutes. And getting outside, even in bad weather, expends a lot of kid energy that keeps the girls from re-carpeting the house with plastic toys.

With gas prices jumping about 15 cents in two days, it might be cuckoo. But feels pretty sane to me.

Now I realize not everybody has the option of living two blocks from activity central, but our central location coupled with non-car transportation means some days when my husband takes the bus, which is becoming more and more frequent, we don't even move the car from the driveway.

Another way to think about it is to contemplate a commute. If I worked in Peoria, I'd spend close to $2,000 a year just driving to and from work, without any pit stops. Did I mention cuckoo?

Suburban free fall

It was innocent enough, I swear.

A rainy morning and a eco-husband who says, "Where's the umbrella? I'm going to take the bus," and you've got yourself a simple temptation to take the car two blocks to your daughter's swimming practice. So that's exactly what I did.

And so what if after practice I run to the bank. And then there's the traffic jam and my stomach reminds me about lunch. What's one McDonald's drive-threw in the grand scheme of things? And Target shopping?

Wait... Regain senses. Go home and make a delicious lunch of homemade chicken nuggets from the leftover tenderloins on the cutlets. Make a salad. But what a reminder of how easy it is to slip back into easy.

Save money. Save my waistline. Save the environment.

Photo by Snappybex on Flickr

Dump the Pump

It's the third annual Dump the Pump day, promoting public transit.

Our family isn't driving today. Steve took the bus to work, I biked to the grocery store/playground and will later be biking to the pool. Our public transit system is offering free rides today, so I'm a little bummed I'm not taking the bus somewhere.

Since we regular make everyday Dump the Pump day, I don't feel too bad. Driving less saves us much, much money, we are healthier and we're contributing to a more sustainable world.

We don't need a day to feel good about that. Although free buttons help. Visit this Public Transportation site for a free button showing your support for the bus/train.

Bye-bye Hummer

"Who would want a Hummer? Can you imagine if you had a Hummer right now? What a nightmare that would be."

My husband just laughs at my rant, and it's double entendre-y nature. But seriously. Who has that kind of cash just waiting to be thrown away on gas?

Nobody, it turns out. GM is backing off it's line of SUVs, and thinking of selling its beloved Hummer, to focus on smaller cars. Come on Ford. Bring back that feisty Festiva at nearly 30 mpg.

Come to think of it, maybe people are going a bit further. A few weeks ago on a bike ride to the park with my girls, I saw two other parents with kid trailers — on the SAME block. I see them everywhere now (even my neighborhood Target store for less than $100 on sale). Today at the playground, the only things there were three parents, three kids and two bikes with Burleys.

It's pretty exciting to watch the market crush the things are damaging the planet while promote the things that make us all healthier.

Successful no-mo

We made it, but just barely.

A weekend without driving seemed like a great idea Friday. The forecast called for sunny and 80 all weekend. So when rain showers threatened even an hour outing, it seemed clear that no car (and no buses running Sunday or Monday) would leave us pretty inside and bored.

But we pushed on, took some chances and had a fantastic weekend complete with three meals from the grill and lunch at a restaurant. It was mostly uneventful, but it was inexpensive and nice to just be home with the family.

No-mo weekend

Since gas prices are ridiculously high, and because my family and I had mostly planned a leisurely weekend of yard work, playgrounds and around-town outings, we decided to go car free this Memorial Day weekend. Plus we have brats from this local farmer, so really there's no reason to go anywhere.

For any adventures we might take, we'll be traveling via walk, bike or bus. I'm sure this will work out perfectly well, without even one 2-year-old tantrum. So happy three-day weekend to us and everybody else.

What's wrong with feminism?

Nothing! It's a movement that has allowed women as many choices as men. Many, many feminists probably think my decision to stay at home with my children is a poor choice, but I think that choice is up to family.

I believe the choice to work is not an issue women should be fighting, and judging each other, about.

In any case, a crazy right-wing columnist made the argument that feminism is bad for the environment. He cites two commuting parents (not to mention the nanny to which I say HA!) are taking to the road worsening climate change, something I'm pretty sure he doesn't a) care about and b) believe in.

But his argument is flawed. Women staying at home often drive just as far, or further, than their commuting husbands. Just yesterday in my local paper, one mom told the reporter she just can't cut back on the 12,000 miles she drives each year running errands and chauffeuring her kids. And most one-income families I know have the working-part driving the sedan while the home-part gets the minivan, or worse, the SUV.

But I should at least be thankful that the right is making the argument that driving is, in fact, bad on the environment.

Eco-healthy

I love how green living is contagious.

I guess it's only in my own family, but maybe you have to be in really, really close proximity to catch an eco-cold.

My husband has hopped on the green-parenting train — well.... the city bus anyway. Since the weather turned more spring-like, he's been taking the bus more often. He likes to read the paper or a magazine, and he's prefers the mile-walk home from downtown rather than catching the transfer because it provides him with some fresh-air exercise after a busy day.

Speaking of getting some exercise, living mostly car free has been challenging after a fierce and exercise-lacking winter. Carting 70 pounds behind me after months of ignoring my thigh muscles is — let me tell you — no easy task. To compensate, and because I recently dog-sat for a farm hound who required much more exercise than my tiny plot allows, I started jogging.

These early morning jogs (check out this really inspiring PBS Nova special about regular people who train to run a marathon to help you set your clock an hour early) merely add to my optimism about enjoying the coming summer, spending time playing with my daughters, focusing on my family's overall health and really just enjoying life.

Wondering where all my self-deprecation has gone? Wow... It only took two years to finally get good at this. Who knew I was just a quick study!

Happy belated Earth Day

So you might be wondering how I spent this annual honoring of all things eco. No? Well, here it is anyway.

I came into possession of a second car. At least temporarily.

My mom had to leave her car behind while she left for Las Vegas (I'm sure to encourage people to conserve water and ban the lawn) and now I have this set of wheels for scooting around town.

What makes the second car so dangerous is the freedom. Some days, when you don't feel like spending an hour on dinner or washing the kitchen floor, a trip around town seems like the perfect solution. Luckily, I've had enough of these car-accessible days during the dreary winter months to know they end up being more irritating than fun.

A day behind the wheel is often tedious and annoying. And with the recent brilliant weather, I see no reason to ditch the bike for an easier mode of transport. Plus, I'm just getting my bike muscles back.

So here's to Earth Day and knowing that just because you have access to a second car doesn't mean you have to use it.

Also.... My mom left her two dogs behind as well. I guess it's time to invest in some of those eco-friendly poop bags.

Choo-choosing a better trip

With gas price, once again, at a record high, I feel really good about my overnight trip to Chicago. Amtrak has, once again, provided terrific service and made this little tourist trip easy on the nerves and the wallet.

It cost $120 for two to take the train at 7:30 a.m. Saturday (arriving about 2 1/2 hours later) and leaving at 5:15 p.m. Sunday. It's quite possible it would have been quicker to drive (2 hours if there is NO traffic or getting lost, an unlikely event with me behind the wheel). It might also have been a a tiny bit more in cash as the 180 mile trip would have cost $40 for gas and about $50 for overnight parking.

But, with no stress about navigating unfamiliar urban roads, the freedom to relax, read and listen to a podcast on the train and the experience of the train, I would always choose Amtrak over Ford.

And somehow we managed to never once use a cab. This meant more money for the important things — fantastic food from some of the best restaurants in the world.

Awesome reasons for not driving

Car rental.

When I was younger (pre-25, before I could legally rent a car) I thought car rental was based on convenience only, and charged for it.

Turns out, car rental is surprisingly affordable. We rent from Enterprise, which normally offers 50 percent off weekends. For a three-day getaway, we can rent a car for about $50.

Now, unless you're doing a trip every couple of weeks, it's totally cheaper than a car payment. Plus... the insurance for your primary car covers it (better check, but mine does). Plus, plus... no regular maintenance like oil changes and wiper replacements.

And the biggest plus... it's totally fun to try all these new cars. In the last year I traveled home pretty regularly and I got the same car maybe twice. And the cars are always kind of new and clean.

Much better than the clunker we're shlumping around town in.

Addressing the driving issue: Finally

National Public Radio ran this great report today about an Atlanta woman and her child who moved from the suburbs to the city. By removing her commute, the move greatly reduced her carbon footprint.

It was nice to hear this issue being addressed as far as parents are concerned. Most green parenting stories I see talk to parents who buy organic or use all-natural products. Not that these things are bad, but it's only in passing the stories mention the parental resistance to giving up the minivan.

At first I thought, "Oh great. Another story of how the rich are becoming oh so green." But the woman, Malaika Taylor, talked about how she couldn't afford a house inside the city but could move into an innovative development that incorporates residential and commercial life.

Taylor didn't have the environment in mind when she made these decisions, much like my own family's decision to try a more simple pace. She just wanted to get her life back. It's at the core of how the environmental movement can be a catalyst to returning sanity to the American family.

I love how she describes her new commute-free life.

"Maybe I'll work out. Maybe we'll play a game. It makes a huge difference just in the quality of our life. We get to spend a lot more time together. I think she's happier. I'm happier. It makes life a lot better."

Awesome reasons for not driving

Spring has finally arrived and you really, really need to head to the mega-store for all sorts of supplies.

But bummer, you don't have the car.

The only thing left to do is hook the cart to your bike and head to the park. Don't forget a pretty substantial snack. You might be there for a while.

Cheap Green Tip 1: Sell your car

(I’ll pause while you stop laughing. Done yet? How about now?)

Hopefully I haven’t lost you. So maybe giving up your wheels seems a tad extreme. I get that. I’m pretty certain most people think I don’t drive because of some recent series of drinking-and-driving incarcerations.

But…


If moms are to lead the way toward a greener future, they need to drive less. We drive too freakin’ much, and sometimes for really stupid things. If you think a special trip to the store for organic polenta is eco-friendly, think again.

Start small. Combine errands. Shop close to home. Have somebody hide your car keys once a week so you won't be tempted to drive around town listening to Dr. Laura while your kids scarf down a large order of fries.

Americans produce an annual average of 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, almost a third from driving. Reducing annual mileage by 20 miles a week eliminates 1,000 pounds of CO2 emissions each year. Also, you'll save about $130 in gas.

If you’re like me, maybe you’ll find the extra car sitting in the driveway isn’t necessary. And consider the money saved from car payments, insurance, maintenance and gas, a price put near $20,000 for some high-end models.

Tip: If you live in a fairly small town, or in a green-dreamland like Oregon, biking around town for errands in the warm months is fun for the kids, efficient and helps you look fantastic in a bathing suit. My girls love a bike ride to the playground.