My commitment to raising eco-conscious children.
Happy Earth Day! The other night we watched a documentary called Home, and I was so inspired to do something to make a change, no matter how big or small it is. After watching it I sat on the couch wondering, “Am I doing enough to raise eco-conscious children?”
It’s a question I don’t ask myself enough, but it’s an important one.
I look back at my childhood, raised on an island with two eco-friendly parents who were very aware of societal impacts on the environment. I think they did a pretty good job of raising two eco-conscious children as well. We were vegetarians, reused just about everything, lived in a home that had a low impact on the environment and had regular conversations about our duties to protect the Earth.
Raising Eco-Conscious Children
1. Limiting Plastic in our household
I don’t think there’s a better way of supporting the environment than raising eco-conscious children.
As a mother to an almost-two-year-old daughter I know limiting plastic is a huge undertaking. Lately, it seems that just about everything we need for children has plastic in it, from the toys, bottles, and even in diapers. Which is why my first commitment is limiting plastic in our household.
I started last year by asking friends and family to buy books and wooden toys instead of plastic Christmas presents. By doing this I’ve managed to keep our yearly plastic contribution down from the previous years.
2. Purchase Wiser
Don’t get me wrong it can be hard to commit to changes, especially when my job is being a blogger and I receive regular PR packages.
However, my job has made me more aware of the environmental impact consumerism has on the world. Which is why my second commitment is to be aware of what we’re buying and make a conscious effort to buy from sustainable sources. This means spending more at thrift stores rather large retailers, reusing and donating when possible.
3. Eat the Rainbow
For me eating vegetarian meals is more than health or environmental benefits. It’s my commitment to protecting the animals and I’m teaching it to my daughter.
I found this really good resource from the vegetarian society that teaches about the benefits.
4. Educate myself
In order to raise eco-conscious children, we must first educate ourselves in the practices and rituals of making sustainable changes to our lives. Starting simple practices like turning off the lights when you leave the room or turning the water off when brushing your teeth or even making it clear we don’t eat fast food.
What are your commitments to being more eco-friendly this year?
+ Some eco-friendly ways to entertain your child this spring
Mom goals!! I absolutely love this article.
My eco-friendly goal is to partner with sustainable brands to promote/review on my blog, and pick up trash in nature at least 1x per month this summer!
Thanks Kelsea! I really appreciate it, and I loved your article too! I think its something we need to be talking about way more.
This is such an important value to pass on to our kids. I’m happy that my kids’ school is very active in that subject, they have an organic garden they grow, they do a lot of recycling activities and have classes bout it. At home we recycle, we teach the kids about minimalism and protecting the environment – and yes I think we adults need to learn much more about it – sometimes I feel like my kids are way ahead of me:)
Thanks Madi! I love reading your blog and your family sounds amazing. I wish all schools taught that as a subject because you’re right it’s so important. I think we’ere in good hands, the kids are going to be able to teach us about living eco-friendly in the future.
I LOVE this post. It’s so important to teach our kids the importance of being eco friendly. We try not buy plastic and we also make sure we compost everything we can.
Exactly, as long as we’re all trying. Even the littlest improvements like buying only wooden toys, or maybe switching to eco-friendly beauty products will add up over time and make a bigger difference than we think.