subject: How Do You Face The Challenge Of Going Green As A Parent? [print this page] There's an old saying about it not being easy being green. That's true enough. There are a lot of challenges in trying to live an eco friendly lifestyle, from the temptation of all the neat yet unneeded stuff around us to people who don't understand or flat out disagree with the need.
Coping with Skeptics
Skeptics are difficult to deal with at times, especially when they're family or close friends. It's hard to enjoy your lifestyle when others consider it idiotic and have no problem saying so to your face.
Depending on the relationship, sometimes it's worth the argument, other times it's simpler to keep the peace for the sake of others. I find it best to let them see the example of my lifestyle, especially the money saved, speak for itself when it's not worth arguing. You can win people over with frugality when you can't win them over for the environment.
Coping with Parenthood
As a mother, teaching my children to think about the environment is a big part of what I do. It's not easy. They see ads on television, they see what their friends have. You can't keep it all away from them, but you can explain why they won't be having certain things.
Some parts are fun. Kids love going to thrift stores, especially if you find one with a good toy selection. They won't be eco friendly toys on their own merits for the most part, but that they're used rather than new means they aren't doing anything more to the environment. They also love sending old toys there, if you keep it friendly and talk up the positives, such as what they're doing for other kids who don't have as much. Children can be quite generous if you give them the chance. They can also be much less than generous, so find what works with yours.
Teach your kids from a young age about when to reuse or recycle rather than throw things out. Most children love to do crafts, and many things that would otherwise just be garbage can be made into wonderful crafts.
If you live close enough to their school, walking them there is a great lesson as well. It's better for you and the environment if you don't drive to the school. Fitness is a great habit to encourage in any case, and this is an easy area to do that.
You can't entirely avoid the challenges of being green, but you can face them and work with what you have. Most of us aren't going to get to live the perfect eco friendly life, but we can improve where possible to make things better.
by: Stephanie Foster
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