6 Ways to Teach Your Kids About Sustainable Living

By Carmen Staicer for DietsInReview.com

Once you have a baby, your life changes. Not only in the small ways – you have less time for yourself, you drive slower, and maybe you even buy life insurance – but you start to take a look around and see ways to improve the world. One of the ways that many people choose to do so is choosing a more sustainable life.

What is that, you might ask? A sustainable lifestyle uses resources minimally, with minimal negative impact on the earth and with maximum potential and benefit for others. The standard, traditional industrial model utilizes genetically modified ingredients, non-organic methods and cares very little for the impact on the environment. In short, it’s a selfish way to live.

I’ve been trying, for several years now, to teach my children what it means to live in a sustainable manner. To teach them why it matters how the animals were raised, what chemicals were poured into the soil, and how things just don’t disappear when you toss them into the trashcan. The can that we have for recycling is a good start, but it’s just a small step and I want my children to take gigantic leaps toward making the planet a better place for their children.

We vote at every single meal. We vote to eat the right things for our body, but that voting should begin with the purchase and preparation of the foods we ingest. Local, organic, sustainable. One great way to help your children see this is by growing your own food. It doesn’t have to be a large garden at first – maybe just tomatoes and herbs in a pot on your porch. Once you do this, you’ll see how easy it can be to grow your own foods, and as a bonus, those foods are healthier for you, especially if you chose to grow them organically.

Start a rainwater collection area, and use that water for your garden. This is a simple, albeit messy, way for your kids to be actively involved in the process that doesn’t need too much supervision.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sarah M.

2:55PM PST on Jan 22, 2012

thanks

January 22
send a green star

Elvina A.

9:09AM PST on Jan 9, 2012

Nice ideas. When I was in preschool we were taught to recycle and kept a compost. I remember it was great fun and nowadays I cannot imagine not to recycle! Kids sure can appreciate being 'green', even if it may sound boring ! :)

January 9
send a green star

9:08AM PST on Jan 9, 2012

aj E.

7:50AM PST on Jan 9, 2012

thx

Cody L.

9:14AM PST on Jan 8, 2012

Thanks

January 8
send a green star

George M.

8:25AM PST on Jan 8, 2012

Parents should teach by example. The kids will follow what they see. I am, however, against indoctrinating kids to the ills of the world at an early age. They have enough to think about without world pollution. Let kids be kids.

Siobhan J.

5:56AM PST on Jan 8, 2012

This is excellent, it's disgraceful to see the garbage that adults allow kids to pour into their bodies. My cousin is guilty of this since he is simply not man enough to stop buying junk whenever his daughter whines for it. There is only so much I can do if her parents are not forceful enough to ensure she gets proper nutrition.

Bob P.

5:49AM PST on Jan 7, 2012

January 7
send a green star

Marie W.

6:13PM PST on Jan 6, 2012

Just be a red-neck and have your passle o'kids throw it all in the yard, the neighbors yard and public areas.

January 6
send a green star

Pamela K.

1:18PM PST on Jan 6, 2012

Awesome ideas! Anything we can do to get the youngsters reconnected with and thinking about Mother Earth is great. Another idea on the paper products--I try to buy paper towels, etc that are made from recycled materials. The paper towels and tissues (within reason) are then composted after use--double savings!