Spit That Out!: The Overly Informed Parent's Guide to Raising Children in the Age of Environmental Guilt

by Paige Wolf

From BPA in baby bottles and asbestos in crayons to misleading “natural” labels - it can despair even the most steadfast parent. Lighthearted yet authoritative, Spit That Out! cuts through the information overload, sorts cloth from disposable and empowers readers to make simple but impactful changes.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Family

148 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2011

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't spent much time thinking about this topic, as I'm not a mom, but I was intrigued by this book and won it on firstreads! Wolf does a great job covering the basic topics of raising a baby in a healthy, environmentally friendly way without coming across as preachy. She is realistic- knowing you can't keep your baby in a germ free bubble, and even giving props to good germs. She eases the anxieties of the guilt-ridden moms who have stopped for the occasional easy Big Mac or taken asprin while breast feeding and reminds us that it's avoiding a daily pattern of these decisions that is important. I'm definitely going to pass this book on to my pregnant friends!

[Green4u · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I became a parent, like many people, I really started to pay even closer attention and became concerned about what my children we exposed to. Paige Wolf wrote the book Spit That Out!: The Overly Informed Parent’s Guide to Raising Children in the Age of Environmental Guilt that goes through all the things that parents worry about and gives you advice both personal and from others on how to address it. She also has a blog with the same name to keep you updated too.

The book is not a one size fits all book, if you are parent who cares about this a great deal or you just want to learn and get some green parenting advice that you may or may not take this is the book for you. It is an easy read and no matter where you fall on spectrum of green parenting you will find yourself saying more than once say while reading the book “YES! I feel the same way…” Which is always a comforting feeling when you are feeling your way around the world of parenting and make decisions about how you want to raise your kids.

The informative layout of the book makes it easy to read all together and use as reference book in the future. The chapters are divided in topic every parent thinks about whether they are eco-conscience or not. What parent does not think about diapering, chemical exposure, feeding your kids and of course toys! Each chapter starts off with information about the topic and personal stories from Paige about the personal importance of the topic. Then she quotes other mom’s who have struggled with this topic and offer advice on how they deal with the issue. She ends each chapter with more information, takeaways and resources. Any new parent can appreciate the resources part of the book. Great you told me to buy second hand clothes but what website can I do think on other than EBay? It is all there.

I think this book is a great gift for an expectant parent. I recommend giving it to couple when they find out that they are pregnant so they can read it before they register.

[Garrett Elwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for this book to come out! This is a great topic that I know people are going to be interested in. I don't have any kids, but I'm still buying it plus a few more copies for gifts. What a great idea!

[Michelle Carrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of helpful tips and graphics. Easy to navigate chapters and index. Witty and well written. Contains and awesome list of resource (Websites and book titles) in the back for further investigation. Organized and immensely helpful.

[Julie Salvano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes all the important parenting decisions and simplifies them into concise language. There are no judgy undertones, just explanations that show which decisions are best for which lifestyles. I highly recommend this book for parents of all different backgrounds and parenting styles.

[زينب · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light read regarding an issue that concerns most parents. She discusses different concerns and provides possible solutions. Very informative. Many times there is no solution or the solution is not enough but it's reassuring to read how other parents are handling this and that you are not the only one. She also discusses the issue of well-meaning family members/friends/and even schools that bombard our kids with non-healthy options and how to address this problem. There is no magical solution but books like this are importance to raise awareness. Also, the more people on board, the more likely for a change to happen (voting with our buying power as she says).

I don't agree with her view regarding modern medicine and promoting alternative non-scientific options. Hence, one start less ;p. Also, the way the book is written was annoying at first but I got used to it and the topic is very important so...

[Elizabeth Schmidt · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 30%

I was hoping the book would shed light on topics using data, science, statistics, research papers, etc. but no - this book is essentially reading a subreddit echo chamber of parents who are equally misinformed and fearful.

Also, don’t claim you’re concerned about the environment while you simultaneously eat meat, drink dairy, and buy fast fashion. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this entire book unbearably smug in its tone, which was disappointing, as I'd been looking forward to reading it for quite some time. I agreed with some aspects of the author's erring on the side of caution attitude toward parenting, but I think she took things way too far with the idea that allowing your child to play with plastic toys gifted to them by well-meaning grandparents was not a good idea, and that, instead, you should just dispose of them or donate them to a resale shop-- WHAT? How is that eco-friendly? I found myself thinking, especially in the last couple of chapters, how glad I was that I did not know this woman in real life, as she seems a tad too uptight/afraid of chemicals and germs to handle living in the real world. Disappointing, but I suppose recommended to people who would like their kids to live in a bubble (an organic, BPA-free bubble, of course).

[Eric Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an invaluable resource for navigating the minefield of environmental toxins. Contaminated drinking water, lead paint dust, hormone-disrupters in plastic water bottles and food containers, pesticides in our produce; it is very easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless against an onslaught of pollutants wreaking havoc on the developing bodies and minds of our children. While we often feel like throwing our hands up on the air and giving up, this book offers a sensible approach for protecting ourselves and our children. This book is funny and engaging as well as informative. The author clearly shares the same struggles that all parents face, and is never judgmental. And although the book is targeted towards parents, anyone can benefit from it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read, great for a busy parent. It covered the major topics: food, toys, clothing, diapering, BFing vs. formula, natural cleaning, etc. As I've already come to my own conclusions about nearly all of the topics and it didn't go into much depth, I didn't find it particularly helpful, but I think it would be a great read for a expecting or new parent who's just beginning to think about these things. It's peppered with quotes from both average parents and experts, and has a bulleted summary at the end of each chapter.

*I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Darla DeMorrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

When did raising little people become such a big challenge? At least we have Paige Wolf to help us through this new age with advice on the basics like food, diapers, toys and even travel. Get "What to Expect," then get this book...on Kindle if you really want to be green about it.

[Sarah Bullock · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast read, with lots of good information and things to think about as a parent.