27 Jun Raising An Eco-friendly Family

Being a parent is a great opportunity to set a good example for our children.  What they learn growing up will stay with them for the rest of their lives.  There are many ways we can have a positive and lasting impact on our child and on the environment too. 

Eco-tip#1: Homemade baby food.  Try to make your own food rather than rely on commercially made baby food. You will be able to ensure that the ingredients are fresh and healthy.  You can tailor it to your baby's preferences and needs.  You will save money. These homemade baby food recipes cost a fraction of the price of ready-made foods.  You can also make them in batches and freeze for later use.  Making your own baby food eliminates the single-serve containers and the environmental impacts from manufacturing to transporting all those little jars.

Eco-tip#2: Eco-friendly toys.  Buying environmentally friendly toys can benefit your child's health and development. It teaches them about sustainability. Be sure to do your homework. Unfortunately, some toys say they are eco-friendly but they are not. A few things to keep in mind while looking for toys: made from natural materials, non-toxic, organic, fairly traded, made from recycled materials and Phthalates-free.

Eco-tip#3: Green reading.  Reading is a big part of our children’s lives.  It’s also a good way to get them interested in the environment.  There are books that can help nurture their love for the earth, animals and nature. So make a trip to your local library or used book store when getting their books.  You will save money as well while doing your part in recycling.

Eco-tip#4: Get your teen involved.  There are many different ways your teen can get active in environmental, humanitarian and animal causes.  These opportunities may offer insight to their future careers and help accrue volunteer hours needed for school. Encourage them to do an environmental subject for a science project.

Eco-tip#5: Have fun!  Teaching your children about the environment can be fun for everyone.  Take field trips to expose them to their wonderful surroundings.  There are many parks, trails, caves you can visit. Look for bugs, do bird watching, search for rocks, and examine animal footprints to name a few things. Many local farms also offer tours.  They will get to see first hand where their food comes from. Don’t forget to visit your local Humane Society too!