Be a Green Parent

How to care for your family and the Earth at the same time.

Despite what you may think, being green isn't just an adult thing. These days it is important for parents to educate and train their children to be conscious about the environment and to take action accordingly. Parents can do this first by setting a good example. But a good example can't be the end of it. To truly effect positive change, parents need to teach their kids to go green as well. This may seem overwhelming, but it can actually be fun and easy. Start with small steps and pretty soon the whole family will learn to take better care of themselves, each other, and Mother Earth.

What can your family do to leave a smaller footprint on the environment? Try out these ideas.

Baby Diapers

Teaching your child about being green can start as early as day one. (Okay, baby may not be paying attention to this lesson, but it can still have a positive impact!) Considering how many diapers babies go through and the materials that diapers are made of, it isn't surprising diapers are filling up the landfills. There are two options when it comes to choosing a better, greener diaper.
Diapers are now available that are advertised as being “free and clear.” Some companies are now creating diapers free of fragrances, latex, chlorine processing, and lotions. They are also made with an absorbent material that uses less wood pulp, making them more biodegradable.

An even better green option is to use reusable diapers. Yes, the kind your grandmother used. These cloth diapers are washable and can be worn over and over again. They may not seem as convenient, but they are cheaper and friendlier to the environment.

Clothing

Unfortunately, many people throw their old but still wearable clothes in the trash. Why not reuse and recycle clothes by donating them to a thrift store such as Goodwill or Salvation Army? Consider giving the clothes your kids outgrow to a younger cousin, neighbor, or friend. Hand-me-downs are a great way to save money and keep them out of the landfill. You could also organize a clothing swap with friends. For one of these, everyone brings old clothes they don't use any more and everyone walks away with a new-to-them wardrobe.

Energy

Conserving energy involves the whole household. Teach your children to turn off the lights when they leave the room and to turn off the water while they are brushing their teeth. Limit shower times and bathwater. Turn your thermostat down a couple degrees in the winter and up in the summer. Your kids will get used to these small changes, and they'll learn that helping maintain Earth's resources takes only little steps that aren't all that bothersome.

Recycle

Even young children can learn the difference between paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum. Set up separate bins for these items and teach your kids where to toss each recyclable item. They may actually have fun stomping the soda cans and sorting what can be recycled from what can't. These habits are best formed early in life.

Reuse

It's amazing how many things we throw out that could be used again for the same or different purpose. A simple thing to reuse is whatever you use when you go shopping. Instead of using the paper or plastic bags from the grocery stores, take your own canvas or recycled cotton bags. Doing this will show your children one small way to reduce plastic and paper waste.

Other items around the house to reuse include plastic food containers to store leftovers, old food made into compost for the garden, or scrap paper to be used for shopping or to-do lists. Kids can be creative as well when it comes to reusing and recycling.