Have you ever heard the phrase “many hands make light the work”? I heard that little gem a LOT growing up. Usually it was my mother and it typically pertained to household chores and the need for everyone to do their part. As exasperating as that was hearing it repeatedly as a teenager, I find myself repeating it to my children. Doesn’t matter whether it is putting away the dishes, the laundry, cleaning up the living room… I will tell them “many hands make light the work.” Even though their hands are small, they can – and do – help with the housework.
This concept also applies to becoming a more eco-conscious family. You can’t do it on your own. Well, I suppose technically you could be eco-conscious yourself and the family not but it sure would be easier if they were! Children are sponges and they will often soak in the behaviors of those they see around them so make going green a family affair and keep them involved. There are some simple things you can do to help encourage their participation.
If you have a compost pile or barrel, use that as a way to incorporate a little science by explaining how the compost process works and have them responsible for adding the fruits and veggies to it when you are making meals. My oldest loves to run across the yard with stuff for the compost and run back to see how fast he can do it. Sometimes we guess which compost item might take the longest to break down and then monitor it periodically to see who gets it right.
Conserving water is another great way to encourage better behavior. This could be as simple as having them turn off the water while they are brushing their teeth unless they are actively rinsing off a toothbrush. Shower time could also be shortened by using a timer to encourage the kiddos to get down to the business of getting clean and not linger. Also, think of how else we use water, like with cooking. When I steam veggies, I let the leftover water cool then have the kids carefully water our potted plants with it.
Show them the fun of “treasure hunting” at garage and estate sales to find bargains for things you need. Not only could you be saving something from the landfill but you are showing your children how something can be reused (either for its intended purpose or a new one) by a new family. They can also see that things don’t have to be brand spanking new and right out of the box to meet their needs. We were actually on our way home from the grocery store today when my husband spotted a garage sale with furniture.
I have been wanting to replace a chair that was broken in our last move for a while. The chair that broke was a great reading chair, comfortable and plush with just the right angle to the back for curling in and reading, and the fabric was a rich burgundy color that just seemed luxurious. I had also bought it at a marketplace store for a steal. I had not found something that really spoke to me to replace that chair. While driving by, J saw some chairs that were similar and upon inspection, they are the style I liked and they had been recently reupholstered in a very cute fabric. I snagged two matching chairs and a matching ottoman for half the asking price. I love a good bargain! The boys were also able to get two toys and a children’s book thrown in for free with my chair purchase. If only I could get such great deals at the grocery store!
One of my favorite activities is going for family walks and picking up cans. When W was little, we would load him up in his little wagon and hit the roads in our neighborhood with a couple of plastic bags. As we walked and talked, we would pick up cans and put them in our bags. (Tip: crush the cans before putting them in the bags but be careful of the ones that might have been used for spit cans. There’s nothing enjoyable about walking home with your shoe and possibly sock covered in tobacco spit from crushing the spit can.) We would usually get home with 2-3 bulging Walmart bags of cans. After we accumulated a lot of those bags, we would haul them to the scrap yard for cash. Granted aluminum cans do not pay what they use to but every little bit helps. It is a win-win for our pocketbooks and the environment!
Take a few bags and the family and see what recyclables you can find in your area! I also suggest a stick for getting cans in hard to reach or grassy places. Snakes or poison ivy could hinder your efforts. The bottom line is to lead by example and encourage your children (and spouse!) to be an active participant in going green. Encourage them to ask questions and learn together on what impact your family can have on the environment’s health. We are all in this together and if we can get the next generation engaged in environmentally healthy habits, then maybe we will succeed in leaving a cleaning planet for our children and their children. Pass it forward and go green, my fellow Texans!
Going Green In Texas 