Five Ideas For Green Parenting

The campaign to "go green" is sweeping the nation, with everyone from cars to broadcast television, from household cleaning products to business solutions, trying to reduce their carbon footprint and create a healthier, more earth-friendly environment. As parents, it is important to raise your children to be cognizant of the impact their actions will have on the environment and to teach them how to be better inhabitants of the planet.

There are several changes that you can make in your life and in that of your children that will have a positive impact on the earth's environment. Here are five ideas for becoming a green parent.

1. Use cloth diapers instead of disposables - About 18 billion disposable diapers are thrown in landfills each year, according to Mothering Magazine, taking as many as 500 years to decompose. Fitted cloth diapers are a lesser expensive and more eco-friendly alternative to disposable diapers. Most diapers do not use pins, so you won't poke your baby. Made out of durable cotton, the diapers are machine washable. Many cloth diapers can be covered by waterproof and leak proof diaper covres. Using cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers can save over $2,000 each year, so you can save money while saving the environment.
2. Buy organic foods and products - Almost everything on the market today has an organic alternative, which are free from harmful chemicals. From foods to bedding, from cleaning products to clothing, organic products leave less of a carbon footprint on the planet. Organic foods are grown without using pesticides or artificial fertilizers and have low amounts of preservatives and additives. The USDA's National Organic Program ensures products are organic, which is safe for your kids and safe for the environment. Making your baby's food using organic fruits and vegetables is both environmentally friendly and very healthy because you know exactly what is (and what is not) going in it. Start with green vegetables (as opposed to orange fruits or vegetables) so that they develop a taste and a liking for them.
3. Recycle paper, plastic, and aluminum - Many products come in packages that are recyclable, noted on the container with a symbol that has three arrows pointing toward each other in a triangle shape. The Environmental Kids Club has facts, games, and great ideas on how to recycle. Paper bags and newspapers can be used to make book covers for school books, and the Sunday comics can be used as wrapping paper for gifts. Plastic containers can be used to store leftovers and can also be used to store small toys, snacks, craft supplies, etc. Aluminum cans can be stomped on and compacted so that there’s more room in the recycling bin. Before throwing anything away, sit down and brainstorm with the kids if it can be reused.
4. Limit your use of plastic grocery bags - The Environmental Protection Agency points out that over 500 billion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year. Instead of being thrown away, they can be reused to take lunches to school or work, to line smaller trash cans, and to take small and light items almost anywhere. Instead of getting brand new plastic bags at the store every time, consider using canvas bags for your groceries. Give one to each child to decorate with fabric paint. Shopping at the store is also a great time to teach your children about making educated purchases - fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned, organic cereals and snacks instead of cavity-creating sugary sweets.
5. Conserve energy and water - Many of the forms of energy used in homes is not renewable. And since it can't be reused, it's important to conserve as much as possible. While water is treatable, it's still important to conserve it and keep from having to use energy to treat it. In your home, you can save energy by turning off items not being used - such as appliances, televisions, radios, lights, etc. According to the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, changing to a compact fluorescent light bulb (cfl) will save around 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year because they use 60% less energy.

Future generations will benefit from what we teach our children today. If we teach our children to love and respect the earth, they will have a better understanding and will then pass that on to their children.

By protecting the environment today, you will be creating a better life for your children tomorrow.

By Michelle Montoya for BabyBestBuy.com