Parenting and sustainability
Parents have significant opportunities to live sustainably. Here are some ways to go eco when parenting children.
Teaching children about sustainable values and practices
Minimalism
I understand minimalism as a philosophy that aims to only keep things and bring in things that bring value to one's life. Let's teach the youngest generation to avoid unsustainable unconscious forms of consumerism. That sounds abstract but it can be practical. Thoughtfully give versatile durable toys that can spark imagination and creativity. A minimal amount of quality toys will be more appreciated than cheap quality products that break easily. Get the child thinking about why something is needed or wanted, instead of accumulating stuff for the sake of it.
Reducing food waste
Kids could learn to compost food scraps, safely keep leftovers from meals and only shop for the foods that are genuinely needed. Have conversations about how food is a precious resource and we shouldn't take it for granted.
Growing Food
The whole family could learn to grow food at home. This is a lesson in self-sufficiency. It is also more sustainable for many reasons. Start small. Grow some herbs and water them enough to keep them alive. That is my skill level. If you have outdoor space, grow food in the ground to experience the nourishing power of the Earth. Find an online guide about this if you're wondering how to begin.
Speaking up
As kids grow older, they could use their own voices to share their views about the environment. Eco conscious parenting an involve encouraging children to continuously educate themselves about the climate and peacefully speak up about the world they live in.
Children can advocate for the environment. Image: iStock, edited
Sustainably sourcing supplies for kids
Choose to reuse
Step back from the single-use kids' products. This issue brings to mind drink bottles, food pouches, nappies, wipes and food coverings. Switch to reusable versions of all these things. Establish sustainable habits from an early age. Teach the child to value resources and get the most possible use out of things.
We recently visited a popular restaurant chain that has vegan options (let's debate the ethics of the venue later). Don't worry - it wasn't fast food as such. The children's menu had a vegan meal option. Sadly, it came with a plastic pop-top bottle of water. I was also disappointed to see fries in that meal deal too. But sticking with the eco theme, let's focus on how the bottle was unethical. It wrongly teaches kids to drink from single-use plastics from a young age. Pop-tops are slightly reusable but probably not in the long term. It also teaches children to get a new plastic bottle of drink for every meal. That wastes even more plastic. Bottled water also seemed unnecessary at a restaurant that probably could supply cups for the table. If I eventually have to visit that kind of place again, I would not choose such a wasteful option. Just skip it. Find a different way to hydrate the youngster. Get a jug of water for the table and some cups. Choose to refuse the plastic.
Teach children to choose reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic. Image: Pixabay creative commons, edited.
Quality second hand supplies
Choose second hand items because anything new would require some of the planet's valuable resources. Some cheaply made new products could cause emissions and pollution. Instead, select good quality second hand supplies for a lovely eco kid when possible.
Many brand new items can be found from online second hand shopping web sites after the original owner received an unwanted gift, realised something didn't fit or simply changed their mind. One adult's unwanted stuff is another kid's treasure.
There is another added benefit of getting pre-loved essentials and goods for the little ones. Second hand shopping (or sourcing) diverts things away from landfill by extending the usage. When a family no longer needs to use something, especially because someone grew out of it, that item has to go somewhere. It will exist in this world in some form. You're doing someone a favour by giving a new life to an old item.
Children use so many things in each phase or age. They may use cloth nappies, clothing, shoes, toys, drink bottles and lunch boxes. All these things could be found second hand. They could be clean and barely used. Some items can be passed on when brand new. Shoes could be in the original box. Clothes might still have the tags on. Many toys are very durable. So even if a toy has been used a lot, it can be like new. Handed down kid supplies are a win for everyone.
Eco clothing when new
Consider how the clothing is made and what materials it is made from. Let's acknowledge how the sustainable and organic clothing options tend to be more expensive. I suggest parents could at least try to get sustainable new basics when possible. Are some brands more green washed than others? Probably. But it's hard enough trying to find socks, for example, that are sustainable at all. Consider how the clothing is made and what materials it is made from.
Cloth nappies or diapers
Choose reusable nappies to reduce the amount of garbage in landfill. Instead of using and throwing away many disposable nappies, wash and reuse cloth when possible. As mentioned above, nappies could be found as second hand. Just thoroughly wash the nappies before use. Really, that step would be done for brand new nappies anyway. Speaking of truly new nappies, they are alright when it is the most accessible option.
Reuse cloth nappies. Wash and air dry them as a regular routine. Image: iStock/Getty
Prepare your own kid-friendly meals and snacks
Homemade meals and snacks may reduce the amount of packaging and could even be zero-waste. Kids' packaged food products tend to have excessive plastic and other materials. I do not intend to shame the busy hard-working parents who rely on pre-made foods. But the more food we can prepare by ourselves, the less packaging will come into the world.
DIY kid friendly food is more easy than it sounds. Make your own falafel, hummus, plant based protein bites and even nut butters (outside of nut-free environments of course). See it as an opportunity to feed the health of the family and the planet. It's also an opportunity to teach the child about how food is made.
Homemade plant based foods, such as falafel, are sustainable because they reduce footprint and packaging. Image: Pixabay creative commons, edited.
Make your own toys and craft supplies
I can't believe I am suggesting this one. I do not identify as 'crafty.' I cook but I generally don't make things. Some classics are actually really easy to make yourself. Mix together a few ingredients for homemade play dough. String together a necklace from dry pasta. The most creative supplies could be readily available at home.
Make crafts with sustainable materials from around the home, like this pasta necklace. Image: iStock/Getty, edited.
Eco bathroom essentials for babies and children
From the earliest age, a baby and then child will need some bathroom products. This is another opportunity to help the environment. Consider the materials that go into the product and packaging. Ideally a product could be non-toxic, organic, cruelty-free, vegan and hypoallergenic.
Toothbrushes are such an important way to turn the bathroom eco. We can only imagine how many toothbrushes every person uses in a lifetime. Let's normalise the use of sustainable materials from a young age. Bamboo and other plastic-free handles are easily available at supermarkets. It's not difficult.
Keep this in mind the next time you visit the dentist. Those free toothbrushes come from a positive intention because kids need to learn about good hygiene. However, dentists should swap the plastic novelty toothbrushes for eco versions. Parents can choose to refuse the unsustainable toothbrushes. This could become a positive lesson for all involved. If enough parents did this, a dentist be incentivised to make a permanent switch. It also teaches children to live by good values. This is just one example of how bathroom supplies can kids and communities to live more sustainably.
There is more involved in eco parenting than zero waste swaps but this is a good start. Give a child a bamboo toothbrush instead of a plastic one. Image: iStock.Flawed living in a broken world
Here's a very important lesson the whole family can learn. We can only do our best. Society is set up for the opposite of what the world needs. Individuals, families and groups can create change one step at a time.
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