Parenting is never easy to begin with, and extra challenges come up as your children get older and you are trying to teach them to be environmentally-conscious and mindful of all of the problems planet earth faces. It can be overwhelming to think about sometimes, and even more so when you are trying to show young people how to take better care of Mother Earth so that she will in turn take care of them for years to come. Here are three clever ways to raise more environmentally conscious children.
Buy And Use Earth-Friendly Products
Having earth-friendly products in your home, from the bathroom to the kitchen to everywhere in between, is a great way to lead by example and show your children that doing your part to take care of the planet can be easy. If your children go grocery shopping with you, talk about it at the store. When they are old enough to understand, explain to them why you are choosing one product vs. another, and discuss the impact these choices make. Tell them that they can ask you any questions they have, and show them that you walk the walk. Not only are you asking them to do their part, you do yours too.
Recycle
Similarly to using earth-friendly products, another way to lead by example is to recycle at home. Teach your children not only the importance of recycling, but logistically how it works. They may become fascinated, or may just want to help you crush cans, but either way, involving your children in your recycling efforts is the best way to ensure that they will reduce, reuse, and recycle as adults as well.
Garden And Compost
Growing your own food at home in whatever ways you can will amaze and impress your children and give them so many learning opportunities. They will be able to learn about plants and how they grow, what types of foods can grow in the area they live in, as well as composting and so many other things! The garden is the perfect place to teach your kids a little bit more about being environmentally conscious. Explain to them, in simple terms, how much water and other resources are saved just by you growing a few vegetables at home rather than buying them at the store. Then, show them your compost bin and explain how it works! Kids love playing in dirt and this is a fun and educational excuse to do just that.
Living an environmentally conscious lifestyle can be difficult, even when you’re just one person. When you throw children and/or a spouse into the mix, things can get even more complicated. But starting your kids off at a young age and teaching them about this stuff will go a long way when it comes to making sure that they become environmentally mindful adults.
