I'm working on a story about youth sports and injuries, centered on how to decide whether to a.) take your kid to the emergency room or b.) tell him or her to "suck it up."

Anyone have any tales to tell? Life experiences? If so, call me at 954-356-4725 or email me at nsortal@sun-sentinel.com.

Meanwhile, the Positive Coaching Alliance has a monthly debate, and I like this one:

Several weeks into the season, you are frustrated by your child's lack of playing time. The team is successful on the scoreboard, winning more often than losing, usually by comfortable margins. As far as you can tell, other parents and athletes on the team seem satisfied with the status quo, even ones who also are sitting on the bench. But you wonder if a coach has a responsibility to get players into games even when there are no external rules or requirements to do so.

Your child has not complained about not playing, but you sense diminished enthusiasm since the season's start.

Should you talk with your child about this? If so, what do you say?

Should you approach the coach about this? If so, how would you go about it?

Is your approach affected by whether players had to try out to make this team?

Fire away with your thoughts. I'll come back and re-comment on them in a couple of days.

I have the unnatural love for my California Baby Diaper Rash Cream; any hint of redness on my baby’s bum; I slather on the cream and viola! It’s gone. It’s also used under the chin because my little one has folds of chin and moisture seems to get trapped under there. The funky smell and the irritation is supposedly common in chunky babies; My pediatrician recommended vaseline and hydrocortisol cream, but I am not a fan of petroleum made products. I read the back of California baby which claimed its anti-fungal ingredients so I tried it. Totally worked. I also loved how it’s food grade so I felt it was safe enough to use around my baby’s face. I wouldn’t recommend putting it on where your little one can wipe it off and put it in ones mouth; but the triple chin on my little one did come in handy.

*** The Evidence of Triple Chin and how easily moisture collects there.

Other reasons to love California Baby Diaper Rash Cream

• Made in the USA
• Contains Organic and sustainably grown ingredients
• Eco-friendly and Biodegradable
• Cruelty Free meaning not tested on animals
• Contains Calendula and Arnica; both are which used homeopathically

It does contain 12% Zinc Oxide and also Lanolin, so it’s not 100% au natural. However, for it’s wide availability (I bought mine from a local grocery chain with the Organic section) and it’s workability; it’s highly recommended. The Calming formula is made with essential oils, chamomile and French lavender in which both are touted for their calming properties. I can’t wait to try rest of the California Baby products; especially the Sunscreen. Me thinks that Eco Chid’s Play is a huge fan of California Baby line and I am not the only one who has the unnatural love for them!

Related Posts about Eco-friendly California Baby Products

Tame That Hair With California Baby Calming Hair Detangler Spray The Truth About Natural Beauty Products and California Shampoo and Body Wash Top Ten Eco-friendly Baby Shower Gifts

I am really excited about Kice Kice organic children’s clothing!  In fact, if I had an organic children’s clothing company, which is a secret dream of mine, I would want my line to be just like Kice Kice.  Kice Kice is a partnership between twin sisters Karen Kice and Lesley Nishigawara, and they created their distinctive line of children’s clothing after making clothes for Lesley’s daughter (another dream of mine).

I’m giving my niece the Kice Kice oval dress. This dress is made from 100% certified organic combed cotton jersey, and the oval pattern is printed using water-based pigments.The contrasting bright pink serged edge is a nice detail, and the fabric is light and soft. The bold pattern is subtle with the grey print, and this dress looks really comfortable to wear. I wish I could dress in Kice Kice clothing!

Not only does Kice Kice use environmentally friendly fabrics and dyeing practices, but the company supports fair labor practices. You can be assured these children’s clothes are not made in sweatshops. The natural simplicity and custom patterns of Kice Kice clothing makes each item a work of art, which is not surprising since both Lesely and Karen are artists, “They take the same care and attention to detail while designing and creating Kice Kice items as they do in their own artwork: each piece celebrates the beauty of childhood.”

Related posts on organic children’s clothing:

• Made in the USA: Chapter One Organics Supports US Women

• Easy Organic Gift (Convert That Non-Green Friend)

• Fun, Fair-Trade, Organic Company Speesees has Eco Babies in Mind

• Toby and Rei Organic Kids’ Clothing and Accessories

I can’t even write this post. It’s not quite August and I’m supposed to get my kids ready to go back to school. Didn’t we just finish?

I’m tired and I hate shopping so I’m online looking for solutions to the dreaded lunchbox. I love paper napkins because I can write notes to my kids:

I love you

Remember to be a good friend today

Did you tell your teacher that you like it when….?

But paper napkins are horrid for the environment. I won’t insult your intelligence by telling you all the reasons why. I tried sending my kids to school with cloth napkins and it was great for my daughter, my son, however lost them all. I’m fairly certain he never wiped his fingers on them anyhow.

Back in April Jennifer Lance wrote about Fabkins, napkins with your kids in mind. My son assures me he’d never lose one of the ball napkins. Okay, I’m game.

What about the rest of lunch? Bento box anyone? For the bigger kids (teens) I might be temped to splurge on a Neiman’s Bento Box. *swoon* Too bad I married for love and not money….

The best guide to a green lunch (no I don’t mean Green Eggs and Ham) is at Waste Free Lunch. Kelli Best-Oliver highlights some of their best ideas in her post last year.

Truthfully it’s all in vain if the kids aren’t on board. That’s why I’m going to take a cue from my mother and decorate the heck out of some napkins for the kids. Maybe if they say Jane and Alexander on them they won’t get lost? Surely they’d be found.

My short vacation this year was spent in far Northern California, hiking, trekking through caverns and climbing up and down hilly beaches of the Mt. Shasta region with my son, my best friend and her son. At the end of the day we retired to our eco hotel for a bit of luxury …ahhhh.

While the whole concept of an eco hotel conjures up hefty price tags, The Gaia Anderson was extremely reasonable ($125 a night) and while small,it sports an on-site organic restaurant, a spa and pool and comfy rooms. The boys enjoyed swimming in the saline filter pool…a concept I’ve been learning to like a lot since I learned about the hazards of chlorine. I enjoyed walks through the pesticide free, native plant stocked gardens. And my friend raved about the organic cotton comforters on each bed to the point where she became the subject of six-year-old ridicule.

Since none of us had ever stayed at an eco hotel before, it became a game for us to try to find all of the environmentally friendly points. The boys located the recycling bins in each room and the ‘Do Not Disturb” sign made from recyclable and reusable foam. My friend pulled back the organic sheets and mattress to uncover beds from Cost Plus made from sustainably harvested wood.

We noted the dispensers in each shower for shampoo, conditioner and body wash, though since they weren’t labeled we not really sure if we washed our hair with soap or shampoo…maybe there’s not really a difference. But we did recognize the large refillable containers (no small or often “take home” size containers here) of EO lotion and hand soap on each counter…yum.

The organic continental breakfast in the lobby was a bit disappointing – organic, yes, well- balanced not really since it consisted primarily of organic pastries. But with the on-site organic restaurant opening next month, I’m guessing the offerings will expand.

I have to admit, we liked this hotel so much, though we drove 30 minutes north to get a bit closer to the attractions of Mt. Shasta, intending to spend a few days at a different hotel… after one night we returned to the Gaia.

And the boys proclaimed, “Ah…home sweet home” as we entered the courtyard. My friend and I had to agree.

Related Posts About Eco Travel:

Summer Vacations that Create a Green Tomorrow

Eco Trips for Families

Carbon Offsetting the Family Vacation