How To Raise Eco-friendly Children

April 14, 2021

If you have children, you've probably realized by now that they are like sponges! They absorb everything and copy what they see adults do! They also love to be included! If you are thinking of becoming more eco-friendly at home, it's a great idea to get the whole family involved! Here are some suggestions on how to make sure you are raising eco-friendly kids.

Purchase second hand

Children grow like weeds and are almost always in need of a size up! Save the environment and your wallet by purchasing secondhand. Scour the local thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji more gently used items, or start a clothes swap with other families. My favourite clothes as a kid were the ones passed down to me by my older and taller best friend.
The same goes for toys, furniture and other household items, and encourage your family members to do the same when it comes to gifts. After all, how many toys are only played with once or twice, never to be touched again?

Try cloth diapers

Gone are the days of fiddly diaper pins and tricky folding. The cloth diapers of today are cute and user-friendly! Although a bit of an investment in the beginning, cloth diaper ends up being less expensive in the long run. You can also purchase diapers secondhand or join a diaper service. If you are washing the diapers yourself, use an eco-friendly and hypoallergenic detergent like Charlie's Soap. It's tough on stains yet gentle on your baby's skin.

Only take what you need

From a young age, encourage your children to only use what they need. Toilet paper, napkins, water, electricity, paper can all be used sparingly. Remind kids to only take a small portion of food and that they can always have more if they are still hungry. Again, not only is this eco-friendly, but it's also friendly for your wallet.

Involve them in recycling and composting

Show kids how to sort their recycling into plastics, cardboard and cans. Have them dispose of their extra food into the bin, if your area has a composting program. Alternatively, you can start your compost heap as a family project and use it to grow your own garden. Kids love playing in dirt and watching plants grow! Trust me, my niece is obsessed with helping her grandma tend to the garden!