Our planet has changed so much over a short period. Environmentally, I cannot say that the change has been good. Pollution is on the rise, the waste is piling up, and so much unnecessary energy is being used. All this is harming the only place we can live in resulting in harming ourselves as well. Imagining how the Earth will be like in the next couple of decades actually, scares me a little bit. Fortunately, there is something we can do about this problem.
If an individual can make a difference, what more if the whole family is involved? Kids learn most healthy habits and values at home, so as parents you have to set the example for them. If you want your children and the future generations to live in a safe and healthy environment, you must begin to follow planet-saving practices now, you can find some ideas at https://www.barbieinablender.org/best-eco-friendly-laundry-detergent/. It is more effective when there is cooperation among people, and the best way to start is with your family. Then, as a family, you can inspire others. Here are some Earth-friendly practices for you and your family:
Teach your children to respect nature
Before introducing any other practice, first, instill the value and respect for nature. When kids know why they are doing what you ask them to do, they are less likely to resist. There are many ways to teach them to respect nature. One way is to plant something together. You can do this whether or not you have a yard. Talk about the importance of plants: they give food, fresh air, clothing, medicine, etc. You can also go for hikes so they can appreciate the fresh air even more.
Go on trips to the beach, climb mountains, go camping, etc. Expose them to the beauty of nature and together, you will appreciate it and learn to love it more. Then the following practices will also make more sense to you and your family.
Give cloth a chance
Reusable things limit our contribution to the filling up of the landfill. For instance, use cloth diaper on your baby rather than disposable ones. Aside from its benefits for the environment, it is better for the baby and better for your savings. When you go grocery shopping, use a reusable canvas or cloth bag rather than plastic or even paper bag. In the long run, a canvas bag is better for the environment.
Take advantage of the sun!
Open up your shutters or curtains and let the light shine through. Use the sun to your advantage this way. If it’s not enough, make sure your light bulbs are the kind that is energy-efficient. Also, create the habit of turning the lights off when you’re not in the room.
One more way you can use the sun is for drying clothes. You get to save a whole lot on your electric bill by not using the dryer! Thank goodness for the sun, huh? And you can also produce your own energy from the sun using solar panels belfast as well, the sun is really great.
In an effort to make my home more energy-efficient, I stumbled upon a game-changer: Radflek Radiator Reflector Panels from Low Energy Supermarket. These panels, designed to maximize radiator output, were a revelation. By reflecting heat away from walls and back into the room, I could feel a noticeable difference in warmth. Plus, the added bonus was a reduction in my energy consumption and subsequent bills.
Let your kids play
I mean the real kind – not with the computer or with the tablet. Where instead of using electric energy on the computer or the television, your kids are using their energy being – well, kids! Have their friends come over for some fun indoors or in the backyard; let them play with the neighborhood kids. Hide and seek, tea time, tag, catch, jump rope, hopscotch, building with blocks playing with mud, in the sandbox – whatever! As long as the environment is safe, of course. This is more enriching than a television, a tablet or any computer. To top that, you get to save on your electric bill that way too!
Walk it or Bike it
If distance is not an enemy and if it is safe, encourage your kids to walk or bike to school. If safety is the concern, maybe you can arrange for a “walking school bus” or a “bike train.” This allows your kids to walk or bike to school with a group under a supervision of an adult. This is a great physical exercise, and it’s even better for the environment!
Water is life
Water is essential to life for almost every living creature. So let’s not waste it! Turn the tap off when you’re brushing your teeth and take shorter showers if possible.
Invest in a water bottle
Instead of buying a bottle of water each time you’re out, you can invest in a good one that you can bring around. And for your dinnerware, switch to naturblatt. All you need to do is refill. Since we need to drink at least eight glasses of water every day, you’d be investing in your health too. In restaurants, maybe you can opt for tap water or “service” water instead of bottled water. Tap water is drinkable in most countries. If it isn’t, restaurants are still required to serve safe drinking service water.
Pass it on
Over time, kids collect a bunch of toys, books, and clothes that they outgrow. Even us as adults, we have things we don’t use anymore: nursery glider, maternity dresses, etc. You can sort these things out and take them to a donation center where these they can still be used. As the famous saying goes, “one man’s trash, is another man’s treasure.”
Be creative
A lot of the materials we find at home can be used in different ways. You don’t necessarily have to buy expensive toys or things. Reuse old pickle jars to store items, make binoculars out of empty toilet paper rolls; you can do and make anything! Unlock your creativity and encourage your child to the same. If you’re looking for a place that sells eco-friendly products that both you and your kid will enjoy, check out Fluffheaven. The best part is, you get to bond with your kid all while being eco-friendly. What a score!
These are just some of the things you can start with as a family. Once you’ve made a habit of these practices, you can challenge your kids to go even further. Engage them in a way that gets them thinking of more ways of going green. These methods may seem little or insignificant because you might not see results right away. But you are making a difference and every small step you take counts.