Six Tips On How to Be a Greener Parent

Every day through magazines and news articles parents are being told how they should be leading a greener life to help protect the planet for there children and their future children. Here are six tips to help you become a greener parent without breaking the bank:

1. Re-Usable Nappies. If you are expecting or have a newbo
baby have you considered using re-usable nappies? By using cotton nappies it will help the environment as they create less waste. It is said that disposable nappies create 60 times more waste than cotton ones. You may think that it is easier to use disposable verses re-usable nappies but I have used cotton nappies on both my children and have found them very easy to use and wash.

2. Recycle Clothing. By passing on clothes to either friends, family or to your local charity this helps the environment as the organic industry can have a high impact on it. My family have done this for the last five years as my sister was the first to have a girl and her clothes have been passed down twice to relatives.

3. Recycle Cardboard and Paper. We all know that children like to cut, stick and colour to create their own masterpieces. By recycling card, like cereal boxes, and newspapers it not only helps the environment but it is a great opportunity to interact with your children. An ideal activity for those rainy days.

4. Wooden Toys. Most young children are more interested in the box than the singing all dancing, battery operated toy. Instead you could buy them wooden or natural toys which encourage them to play with their natural environment and they are usually less expensive. My sister's daughter was given a wooden train for her 2nd birthday which she played with all the time which has now been passed down to my son.

5. Eco-friendly Food. By preparing your own food for your baby or child provides less waste and is also a lot healthier. I found this was a better and cheaper way as I could cook in bulk and then freeze down in ice cube trays. If the children are older they can also help cook meals which will teach them about the natural produce we eat everyday.

6. Natural Environment. Take your children out on nature walks, there are lots of places to visit free of charge such as parks, beaches or just let them help and play in the garden. This is not only good exercise but will encourage them to learn about their environment from plants, animals, or how to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

These are only a few suggestions, take a look at your daily tasks and see if any can be changed to a greener way.