greenliving

This Earth Day, how about doing something special and teaching your kids all about going green. They are never too young to learn about it and even a toddler or preschooler can contribute to a better planet.

Here are some easy ways you can teach your child to live green:

1. Help them conserve water and electricity by teaching them to switch of taps while brushing their teeth or soaping their hands, and switch of lights when they leave the room.

2. If you carry a cloth bag, why not get them to carry one too? Kids love to create works of art- buy a simple canvas tote from a craft store or sew up a small bag using leftover cloth. Make sure you include two sturdy handles. Get them to decorate their bag with paints or beads/buttons. Let them use their bag for the library, swimming pool or even when they come shopping with you!

3. Make recycling a game and they’ll learn to do it the right way. Explain how certain items can be cleaned and recycled and certain items like milk cartons, which have waxed paper, cannot.

4. Encourage them to walk, skate or bike rather that be driven around. Explain how this is better than using a car and if you need to go a longer distance, take the bus or train. Not only does it become an adventure, but your kids will be happy they’re contributing towards a greener lifestyle.

5. Get them involved when shopping for healthier, non-toxic items. If you are creating your own home-made cleaners, they can even help by rinsing out the bottles or measuring non-toxic items like baking soda. However, beware of getting children involved if you are using potentially harmful ingredients like borax.

6. Teach  your child how to select seasonal, local produced fruits for their snacks. You can also take them on a field trip to a local farm so they get to see firsthand where their snacks come from.

7. Children love to get involved in activities such as composting. Allow them to throw egg shells and fruit peel on the compost heap. Don’t forget to explain why you’re doing this.

8. Get them involved in recycled craft projects. Toilet paper rolls, empty carton boxes, scraps of unused cloth and gift ribbon are just some of the things that can be used to create wonderfully creative projects.

There’s so much you and your child can do together to make a wonderful, cleaner, greener planet. All it takes is a little time and initiative on your part, but the good habits they learn today will last with them a lifetime.

Parties should be about entertainment and having fun, not about the food. And more so when it comes to children. Yet recently, my daughter has been invited to a number of parties by her preschool friends, and they’ve all been at an indoor play center. Usually, this follows a set routine- 10 minutes of play followed by, “where the food mummy?”

Party food mainly consists of items such as hot dogs, burgers and chicken nuggets, all served with a dollop of ketchup and loads of French fries. So, what are the alternatives that busy parents can look at when it comes to party food?

While kids love junk food and sweets, they are most happy playing. Providing entertainment need not be an elaborate and expensive affair. Depending on the age, games like passing the parcel and freeze dance are still favorites as are treasure hunts and square dancing. Face painting, blowing balloons and doing craft will also elicit a number of giggles. And so when it comes to food time, the kids will be having too much fun to miss those hot dogs and burgers. Instead, try serving sandwiches cut into fun shapes with large cookie cutters. Low fat tortilla chips and veggies with an assortment of dips will also go down well. Chicken nuggets, mini drumsticks and corn on the cob make good hot options. And an exciting favorite are fruit kabobs, which if not too messy, the kids can thread on themselves. For drinks, serve an assortment of fruit juices and sparkling water. If you want something a little different, try smoothies or water with fruit dropped in them – looks fun and tastes great too.

Remember to try and cut down on disposable plates and cups, by purchasing inexpensive melamine plates, which can be reused for later parties. If you are doing a theme party, you can always put up decals, balloons and streamers in keeping with the theme and purchase reusable plates and cups of its base color. Instead of shopping for plastic goody bags, get the kids to decorate paper bags, which you can later fill with stickers, stamps, hair clips, raisin boxes etc., depending on the age of the children.

All great ideas, and good for you too!

Kids are our future and they are the ones that need to be taught about the environment and world around us. Yet, very often, it is we who inadvertently cause them harm by swaddling them in toxic garments, rubbing chemical filled creams onto their bodies and feeding them processed foods high in fat, sugar and chemicals.

To get them aware of environmental concerns at a young age, without being the most boring or weirdest parent on the block, try and make ‘green activities’ part of your daily process.

1. Walk or bike your children to school. If that’s not possible, then try biking as a family or a walk in the park over the weekends.

2. Make sure their toys are PVC free, so they are not inhaling gasses from plastic softeners on a daily bases. Try buying toys made from wood or other natural products and load their toy bins with books.

3. Feed them organic, non-processed food whenever possible, so they get a pesticide free diet.

4. Don’t reward them with food or toys- select something else as special treats- a bike ride to the park, a trip to the zoo, a swim in the local community pool.

5. Use natural soaps, shampoos, creams and medicine for your child. There are wide varieties to select from.

6. Stay away from disposable diapers where possible and try cloth diapers. If you must use disposables, get unbleached, chlorine free diapers. Stay away from disposable wipes and use wash cloths/water instead.

7. Teach your children about recycling at an early age. They can help you sort out your weekly recycling and dispose of it appropriately. If you have an outdoor garden, make your own compost heap, which the children can help fill.

8. Teach them to love and respect nature. You can hang up a bird feeder or bird- bath at home. If that’s not possible, take them outdoors on a regular basis for walks and hikes, to get them to see nature at its best. Visit your local conservatory, zoo, aquarium and other animal shelters.