When our little ones are growing up, as green parents, it’s just a matter of time until we start to feel that nudge of panic. Will our children be green? Will they be shining beacons radiating a little “sustainable” light wherever they go? Will they tell the mom at the sleepover that she should be recycling the pancake batter box? OR. Will they throw trash out the windows and grow up to be the boys down the street who drive the monster trucks and accelerate from 0 to 60 before they go traipsing all across the county in races with their friends and skyrocketing their carbon footprints on a weekly basis?
Children’s minds are as pliable and moldable as they come. You don’t have anything to fear or panic about, but you also certainly shouldn’t miss out on your golden opportunity to start influencing them and encouraging them in a green lifestyle from the beginning on up. If you’re game but not entirely sure what that looks like or where or how to begin, it’s simple. Number one, keep doing what you’re doing. Walking the talk is the biggest thing you can do. You can teach and lecture and spout forth eco-friendly quotes all day long, but children learn by doing. They learn by actions. They learn by imitation. That means you gotta practice what you preach. So, what are you doing now, or can you be doing now that can help? Let’s dive in, basics first. Answer these questions and see where you’re ahead and where you can improve! The Food in the Home And, as a side note, just what are your kids eating off of and with? Do you frequently get tired and throw out paper plates and plastic silverware? How about paper towels versus cloth napkins? What gets kept and what gets tossed when all is said and done? Appliances in the Home Clothing in the Dressers! Activities in Place Getting Around Volunteering These are all simple questions you can ask yourself and ideas to consider. Who knows, you may have them covered already! If not, start gradually and start making the changes that you can. Eat off paper plates less, ditch the dishwasher and dryer a little more. Grill outside and eat more salads to skip using the stove quite so much. But remember, more than all these “things” you can do or improve on, it’s simply your example that will matter the most in your children’s lives. Your kids are daily being influenced by all you’re doing, even when you’re most unaware. And, I’d be willing to bet they’re already growing up to be shining green already. But, remember: don’t forget to have fun! Green is certainly not all about do’s and dont’s! Enjoy your green life and help your children enjoy their green life. And, in the end, you’ll all be a much more content family!
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Bringing up Green Kids
July 14, 2011 by 2 Comments
You’re right. It’s never too early to teach our kids the value of saving the environment.
Best to start ’em young. And parents and adults must really set good examples for the kids to model from.