AsiaLIFE

We see our little ones’ faces in every child worker on the streets of Phnom Penh. We wonder if our grandchildren will grow up in a world without oil. But if we buy that second-hand car seat in the interests of the environment will it be safe enough? Will his development be hindered if we don’t get him the latest ‘educational’ electronic gadget from Monument Toys? Will she ever walk normally again, after two years in generously sized cloth nappies?

Once confident individuals who knew our own minds, we soon become timid, vulnerable creatures as we stumble into the baffling world of parenthood. If we can resist the advertisements, peer pressure is another thing altogether. There is nothing like a parents and babies coffee morning to destabilise our confidence in everything we believe in. Bombarded with advice from all corners we rush out to buy toys, cots, highchairs, car seats, baby baths, bouncers, bottles, sterilisers, etc. Ten years on and we have amassed enough to fill a small landfill. Nearly all of it is made of plastic and produced under sweatshop conditions. Disposable nappies contain superabsorbent chemicals, paper pulp, plastics and adhesives. They require a resource-intensive manufacturing process, and the first ones ever thrown away have yet to decompose. Here in Phnom Penh they end up on Steung Mencheay rubbish dump where children just like our own, only not in nappies, come across them every day.

In the words of Jack Johnson, whose Curious George soundtrack will teach you and your kids all you need to know about green living, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!”

Reduce
As all experienced parents know, we hardly need or use any of the stuff we buy for our kids. This is the number one rule for all brand new parents. We are all told it, we all ignore it, and we all go on to tell it again.

Reuse
In Phnom Penh this could not be easier. Even if you love to shop, there is probably no excuse to buy anything new in this city. The Cambodia Parent Network (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cambodiaparentnetwork/) is a great source of products for children and babies, from swing sets, cots and breast-pumps to buggies and books, both for sale or for free. Swap children’s books and DVDs with your friends. The monthly Friend’s Flea Market (Street 13) has a good range of toys and books. Pass on old clothes and toys to siblings, friends and orphanages. Boeung Keng Kang Market (end of Street 57) has second-hand ballet, dress-up clothes and UV sunsuits. Use real nappies, available on-line or at the Russian and Olympic Markets. Get creative with old packaging. Toilet rolls and plastic bottles make great rattles and maracas when filled with rice or colourful beans and pulses. Cardboard is great for all crafts. Your kids’ school will also be grateful for it.

Recycle
Drop off cardboard cornflakes and tea packets, washed out tetrapak and black plastic bags at Smateria (8 Street 57). See them transformed into funky school bags, pencil cases and sun hats you can buy back for your kids. Ask your local tailor to make dolls’ clothes out of beloved baby clothes you are not ready to give away. This is a great way to challenge your second-hand Barbie’s wardrobe. When you’ve run out of ideas ask your kids for more!

You can find beautiful children’s clothing from small-scale fairly traded projects such as Cheeky Monkey, and Sok Sabbai, who share a shop at Le Jardin on Street 360, and Rajana on Street 450. Nyemo (in Le Rit’s, 14 Street 310) and Tabitha on Street 51 are two women’s NGOs that sell gorgeous toys and decorations for your child’s bedroom. Finally, the most environmentally friendly thing we can do is to be vegetarian. Watch this space for some great child-friendly veggie recipes.