Reduce your family's carbon footprint and help your children learn about their own power to protect the planet with these green parenting ideas.
Increasingly, concern about protecting and preserving the environment has occupied more of our thoughts and motivated more of our choices. How can parents reduce their carbon footprint and set an environmentally responsible model for their own children? Here are a few tips.
Begin in the Kitchen
- If you have infants, why not make your own baby food? It’s easy, fun and takes a lot less time and effort than you might think. Best of all, you can make great meals for your baby even if you aren’t a great cook. Babies prefer bland food and many are willing to try just about any fruit and vegetable combinations you can come up with. Freeze portions individually - ice trays are commonly used for this job. Get creative and get your baby on the road to culinary adventure (remember to introduce new foods one at a time).
- Not ready yet? Recycle your store bought baby food jars.
Activities for Older Children and Adults
- Buy locally grown produce, join food co-ops, and/or start your own family or neighborhood garden. Kids loving being involved in the growing cycle; many also enjoy planning meals or lending a hand in the kitchen. A big plus of taking more control of how food gets to your table – even the pickiest eaters are tempted by food they had a hand in growing.
- Consider composting.
- Not ready yet? Ditch the paper towels and paper plates; go for cloth napkins and reusable plates. Choose minimally packaged food products.
- If you need more ideas about eating locally, Barbara Kingsolver shares her family’s experience in her book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
Around the House
- Protect our water by avoiding harsh chemicals. Vinegar, baking soda and liquid soap can tackle almost any job. In fact, these simple and safe household products do a great job with even the dirtiest of tasks, including oven cleaning.
Consider a Rain Barrel to Save Water
- Using a rain barrel is a great way to collect run off from the rain. They are reasonably priced, or you can make your own. Use the water in your garden or for other tasks suitable for non-potable water.
- Not ready yet? Take shorter showers or let kids bathe every other day (they’ll probably cheer) or collect water from your cooling unit.
For Green Family Fun….
- Head to the library instead of the bookstore to save trees and money
- Enjoy birthdays with less fuss. Keep it simple and help children understand that they don’t have to have a room full of the latest gadgets to have fun.
- Plant a tree with your child
- Visit nature centers
- Take a walk or bike together to work, school or just around the corner for exercise.
Talk about the importance of protecting the environment and encourage everyone to share ideas the whole family can use.
The copyright of the article Green Parenting Ideas in Holistic Parenting is owned by Barbara Gibson. Permission to republish Green Parenting Ideas in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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