SJM: Social Justice Mommy

I recently read an opinion piece in a trendy, hipster (more than a little elitist) publication about how irresponsible it is to have children. The article made an excellent case for the ecological havoc that children wreak on the environment. Babies bring diapers, cribs, bottles and a whole slew of other crap when they come into this world.

I sighed as I read. It's too late for me. I've made my environmental disaster already. She's five, almost six. So her footprint is substantial. With the snotty nose she has right now, we did some serious damage in Kleenexes alone today.

The writer's research was sound, undeniable. But it instantly brought to mind an exchange I had once with another parent.

"I hate how it's not cool to have kids," he said. "More cool people need to have children, so they can raise cool people."

And by "cool" he did not mean kids sporting brand name clothes and riding around in high-suspension, tricked-out strollers. He meant kids who care about the world around them, kids who ask questions and want to change the things they see as ugly and unfair.

My dear friend Bono (ok, so this friendship mainly exists in my head) puts it perhaps more eloquently in a song called I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight.

"Every generation gets a chance to change the world.
Pity the nation that won't listen to your boys and girls.
Cos the sweetest melody is the one we haven't heard."

I have no idea what tune my daughter will sing. I can only give her the notes to make her own music.

But how?

How do you teach a child - especially the only child of a single mother who is also the first grandchild and, thus, the centre of several universes - about the intricacies of social justice, about her impact on the world?

There are a million answers to that question. But my answer is...when you can, when the moment arises.

Like potty training and table manners, you teach it as a life skill.

And hope it goes over much better.

Because I still can't get that kid to stop using her fingers to eat her peas.  

Guest Blogger - Heather Setka is a journalist, editor and writer. Her work has appeared nationally on CBC-Radio, and in Metro Canada, Momeo Magazine and the Globe and Mail.  She lives with her daughter in Calgary.  You can fallow her @ and her weekly blog posting here.