Dear Mum and Dad, family, friends and carers
Remember that if you smoke a packet of cigarettes a day; you are wasting roughly $5,000 a year. You are killing yourself and if you are smoking around me; you are making me sick and could be killing me; if not from passive smoking effects; from the detrimental role modeling you display that may cause me to take up smoking in the future.
Choose the safest travel system for me to use when I am in your vehicle. Whether it be a capsule, booster seat or harness; ensure it is weight, height and appropriate, use it according to the manufacturers instructions. Don’t let me sit in the front seat until I am big enough, I do not wish to die of suffocation or other injuries caused to me by an air bag.
When we are at the shops or the petrol station in the car, please value my safety over the minute or two it saves to get me out of the vehicle and take me with you. I wouldn’t want to die of heat stroke, be kidnapped or car jacked… It happens and every time, the adults are surprised; that’s stupid, don’t be stupid, take me with you.
I love to look good and I like it when you buy me clothes. There are so many brands to choose from, so please base your decision on ethical branding instead of big name branding. I do not want to run around and get hot and sweaty in sports gear that was made by people suffering in sweat shops.
When I need a treat to eat or drink, consider where it comes from. I don’t want to be chomping on chocolate that runs with the blood, sweet and tears of slave children who are not given the same privileges as me. I’d hate to think of them crying and dying when there are fairtrade options that you can choose to help them and please me.
I am not clean when you wash me with contaminated products, please choose earth friendly, natural and organic options when you wash my hair, body, teeth and environment. Just because your parents used some well known ‘family brand’ from the past, does not mean it should be in my future; we know better now.
You have your favourite hat, sunnies and sunscreen when you go out on a hot day, you also have a warm coat, beanie, scarf, glove and boots to wear on cold days… Guess what? I feel heat and cold just as much as you do and my skin is far more sensitive than yours; I need these things too.
I was born happy, I am unique and I deserve to be loved, nurtured and respected. Treat me as you would want to be treated yourself. Give me every opportunity to become the best person that I can be… Do this by being the best role model that you can for me and if you need to change to do this; then change, I am worth it.
With much love, your child, grandchild, great grandchild, sibling, cousin, niece/nephew, friend xox
This Christmas (and always) please think about the decisions you make, the actions you take; they don’t just affect you, they affect the children around you and all children of the world. We adults are ultimately responsible for the care and safety of ALL children.
© 2010 Luisa Foliaki/SassyLu – Proud Mumma of MicroMe & MissyMe
