If you are switching to a greener lifestyle, your kids need to adapt to the changes too. Even when kids are very young and don’t understand the concepts of saving the environment and sustainable living, they can take part in your green choices.
Talk about energy savings
Make energy savings a regular discussion in your home. Talk about turning off the TV when you aren’t using it, switching off the lights when we walk out of the room, and all the other things we do every day to save energy. Before you know it, it will be your kids who are telling you to unplug.
Plant a garden together
Plan green menus full of healthy food choices. Plant a vegetable garden together in your backyard or on your window sill. Take frequent trips to the farmers market and allow your kids to help make the decisions on which fruits and veggies to buy.
Purge the toys
Make it a weekend project to sort through toys and clothes with your kids. Talk about those in need, and let your children make the decisions on which items to donate to your local children’s shelter, Salvation Army or other organization in your community.
Help them reuse
Scrap paper can be used for art projects, along with empty cans, boxes and other items. Help your kids find other uses for items around the house that you may be thinking about throwing away.
Make it easy to recycle
Your kids can learn to recycle even as toddlers. Set up an easy to use recycling station in your home. Put pictures on each bin to indicate what types of items should go inside.
