Mim-Pi Part of MADE-BY

Did you know that there are an estimated 158 million children engaged in child labour, between the ages of 5 and 14? Most of us know it still happens but perhaps not the full extent of this horrendous problem. The figures equate into one out of every six children in the world, so your child or my child, if they had not been lucky enough to have been born into the privileges that we have could have been one of these children who do not have a proper childhood. It is not just this, but that they are often working in hazardous conditions such as down in mines, with dangerous machinery in factories, or with chemicals and pesticides.

These children are labouring where they can be hidden away from view so that people like us are unaware and when deciding to buy an item for the house or even clothing for our own children, the idea of child labour does not come to mind. Luckily there are some excellent organisations who dedicate themselves to changing this wholly unacceptable practice, which is completely abhorrent in the 21st Century, or before. There are brands of childrens clothing such as Mim Pi clothing which are champions of this cause and in general products which are made with sustainability.

Society and our children themselves are more aware these days especially because of the internet. Can you imagine your 7 year old turning around and asking you if the clothes they are wearing were made by other children? Naturally each household is on a budget so choices made need to be calculated to fit with this. But taking the example of sustainable fashion for children and adults the quality is generally very good and the price is not that of a Chinese shop but is reasonable.

The other big advantage we have today is online shopping. Before we were limited to a radius around our house of where we were willing to travel to go shopping for clothes. This has changed completely with online shopping and especially if buying clothes for our children it is really comfortable to choose these at home, and not have to drag a disinterested boy from one shop to another. The other benefit being price as these shops do not have the same types of overheads as the high street boutique.

To see online more information about sustainable fashion there is an organisation which was set up a few years ago called MADE-BY. This is an independent consumer label who support and work with fashion companies who are trying to improve the economic, social and ecological conditions right through the whole supply chain of their collections. The organisation's mission is to make sustainable fashion a common practice. They need for fashion companies to be willing to be completely transparent but they can offer a lot of support, and for example it is possible for a fashion company just to start off with one aspects of their products as a start, to make the transition easier. We can all do our part in encouraging this honorable initiative which is made easier when you remind yourself that your child is more fortunate than others!

Mim-Pi can be found at low online prices at the Childrens Boutique - www.thechildrensboutique.co.uk

Colours and Children

Most children absolutely love colour and have lots of fun with it as much as possible. It affects their lives and their development profoundly. Both the environment and the clothes children wear should be in tune with their growth and potential, feel harmonious and balanced, and playful in the right quantities. When you are blessed with a newborn baby this is a special time in so many ways and in preparing for your new family addition you probably paid special attention to the nursery for him or her. This approach is correct and should be carried through for their clothes and even as they grow they will continue to be very influenced by their surrounding colours. When a child is ready to start trying to dress themselves it is important to have a quality range such as Cupcake Clothes which are lovely to the touch and with a great range of suitable colours to choose from.

Babies are calmed by soothing pastel shades as they already have plenty of settling into the world to do, so this is more relaxing for them. Apart from the shades the patterns should be very simple so that they do not have to busy themselves with focusing on them! This will decrease possible hyperactivity and encourage more rested nights. When your baby becomes a toddler then it can be a nice idea to paint the ceiling in a shade such as light coral pink or light peach. By now your toddler will be looking up and this will be a comforting, nurturing feeling for them.

What about when it comes to clothes? Did you know that in the early 1900s blue was for girls and pink was for boys. The reason for this is that pink comes from red which is considered a more active, stronger colour and blue was considered paler and therefore the girls' colour. We cannot be sure when the switch occured, although some people believe it may have happened around the time of Hitler!

Nowadays there are some people who feel that girls are being overdosed in pink. Sue Palmer who is the author of Toxic Childhood says that the total obsession with pink stunts girls' personalities. Whereas therapist and researcher Michael Gurian says that pink doesn't have a profound effect biologically, as this is not possible due to how we are set up. Anyhow what about a child's individuality and personality which is developing every day? For their development it is an important thing to let them choose and express their preferences. Why not let them do this with their clothes sometimes as they are learning all the time by colours with their toys, drawings and identifying things around them.

The fun time of your child enjoying trying to dress themselves is a good opportunity for self-expression. Of course you may want to help out with a few pointers but remember that it is much healthier to let the child be as creative as she or he wishes with the colours and the combinations of clothes in the outfit. In all of this remember to enjoy the experience with your child as the day will come where you won't be invited to be part of it!