You’ve always felt very strongly about keeping our environment clean for future generations. But now that one of them is living in your house, you’re not sure how to get your little bundle of joy started on the right path. Kids can be stubborn when it comes to doing what is right. They often prefer to push the boundaries by doing exactly the opposite of what you ask them. So how can you raise your child to respect the earth and go eco-friendly?
For starters, there are areas in which you don’t have to give them an option. As a parent, you control most of your child’s consumer choices, from food to toys to clothing. They are pretty much stuck with whatever you get them. But in order to ensure that they continue on a path of responsible spending as they enter their teenage and adult years, the best thing you can do is talk to them. Explain why it’s better to buy organic foods (no pesticides to pollute the planet) or humanely raised meats (they’re sure to get on board with this one, although keep in mind that stories of the slaughter-house may not be appropriate for young children). Let them know that eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton or bamboo are preferable to those that pollute because they don’t use of pesticides and they opt for low-impact dyes and green processing.
But education is only part of what you can do to get your kids to go green. One area in which kids can really see the outcome of their efforts is recycling. They can even get instant gratification if you have them sort bottles and cans and then take them to the recycling center. Let them keep whatever money you make and use it to buy a treat or toy they want. This way they can learn to associate recycling with rewards (and the feeling of satisfaction that corresponds). They can also recycle clothing and toys for needy children (make them feel good about helping another child in need) and shoes can get turned into flooring for tracks, playgrounds, or gymnasiums through programs like Nike’s Re-Use a Shoe (www.nikereuseashoe.com).
If you’re still having trouble getting your child on board with going green, you can make it a game. Engaging your child’s mind is a good way to get them interested, and there are a lot of websites available to help you out. Sites like Kid’s Planet (www.kidsplanet.org) and Web Rangers (www.nps.gov/webrangers/index.html) will teach kids about how to protect animals and nature, while Recycle City (www.epa.gov/recyclecity/mainmap.htm) is a fun way to show them the recycling process and The Green Squad (www.nrdc.org/greensquad/) will help them find ways to implement eco-friendly processes at school.
It’s never too soon to get your child involved in learning to live responsibly, and protecting the planet is a big part of that. And with all the resources at your fingertips via worldwide web, it’s easier than ever to get your kids to go green. There’s just no reason a cleaner future can’t start in your home.
Guest post by Sarah of Maxi Dress Mania where you can find maxi dresses for your body type.
