Lifestyle

Teaching Your Child to Love the Planet

The modern life has brought our planet to the point where it is crucial that as many people as possible start embracing the green movement. We have to become as responsible as we possibly can, since everything we do impacts our planet. By teaching our kids to reduce, reuse and recycle, we are doing a very important task, since the future of our planet is in their hands. Here is how you can help them become responsible Earth citizens.

You are their role model

Needless to say, every kid wants to be like their mom and dad when they grow up. You are their most important role model and that is why your choices are their best and most legit examples. Next time you decide to go shopping, go an hour earlier and bring your kids with you, and then explain to them why are you using paper shopping bags, why are you buying products with little or no packaging, or at least ones that are packed in recyclable materials.

Shop smart and embrace the organic

We all know that kids grow faster than trees, so it is actually pretty pointless to spend tons of money on their clothes, right? This is why one really smart man invented thrift stores. Your kids are going to love green shopping. Not to mention, once they outgrow their clothes, you can donate them or sell them online. The same goes for baby products as well: opt for organic baby clothes to make sure that you are providing your baby with the safest possible garments and taking care of the environment at the same time.

Since we are talking organic now, don’t you think it would be a clever idea to make a composter for your garden? You can even teach your children about the organic gardening and healthier meals. They will have the time of their lives while watering the veggies and they will definitely eat them later (since those are THEIR products (wink)).

Teaching Your Child to Love the Planet

Everything is a game

You know how much children love crafting, right? Well, not only it is good for the environment, it’s also one of the best ways to teach them about recycling. This way, they will learn new skills, they will learn the meaning of reusing things, and you will save a lot of money you would usually spend on toys (that we all know can be really expensive). You can turn your old plastic container into a lunch box, you can use their old clothes for some great costumes, and you can make a bridge for their toy cars from popsicle sticks. And if you want to motivate them even more, you can make a family crafting competition – the best crafter gets a bowl of organic fruit salad (wink).

Teaching Your Child to Love the Planet

Do it together

Admit it – sorting waste isn’t the most fun thing to do, right? But it doesn’t have to be boring. The entire family should participate in this if you want to really motivate your children. You are going to need 4 different bins: one for plastic, one for glass, one for tin cans and one for paper. After your recycle bins are filled, send your “garbage” to the recycling center.

Teach them consequences

When they learn to act right and take care of their things, they will develop a sense of responsibility for their actions. If you see your child littering (which should strictly be forbidden), first explain why that is a bad thing, and tell them that next time they do it, there’ll be no TV for an entire day. The more rules you apply, more likely it is that they will act right without even asking.

Teaching our children important lessons such as this one is not an easy task. It requires a lot of time and patience, and especially discipline. After all, what part of parenting IS an easy task, right? Stick to these advice and you will raise one nice and responsible adult who is going to take the best care of this planet.

About author: Tracey Clayton is a full time mom of three girls. She feels she knows a thing or two about raising happy, healthy and confident kids, and offers helpful advice in hers parenting articles. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”

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