Do you have GREEN Kids?

[greenTmom]

Since our Kids are the future heirs to our Green Earth, what do you share with your kids (your kids can be a niece, nephew, grandkid, neighborhood kids) about being Green?
Do you teach them to recycle, compost, reduce use, grow their own food, respect and care for the environment?

Please share some ideas about teaching Green Kids!

Also for some ideas on helping kids be Greener go to http://www.greenearthfriend.com/2008/10/educating-green-kids/

[Jenn Savedge]

Great question! My girls and I enjoy doing a lot of "green" stuff together like gardening, composting, recycling, etc. I also try to teach my kids to go green in little ways all throughout the day...we talk about the importance of minimizing waste, eating organic foods, and giving back to our community as we're shopping, cleaning, eating, and reading. They are really quite the eco-warriors!

[Steph @ Greening Families]

We talk with our kids a lot about what we are doing and why. The farm that hosts our CSA holds gatherings on the farm so we take them there to see the food growing and talk with the family that farms. We visit the farmer's market and explain that all the merchants grow and produce food right around us.

Reading with them is another way we start discussions. I mentioned some of our favorite books to do so in Gift Guide for Children's Books and they also enjoy publications like National Geographic Kids and Ranger Rick.

I've noticed that my daughters often do a better job of focusing on what we can change right around us. We visited a neighborhood park yesterday and there was some trash on the ground. They immediately started picking it up and were disappointed that we didn't have time to get it all so I had to promise that we would come back with bags and gloves. They were naturally doing a better job of "taking care of the earth" (their term) than I was.

[Bonnie Cranmer]

Just today, caught my son being green! He has a friend over for the weekend and they had just finished peeling some oranges. His friend was ready to throw the peels in the trash but my son stopped him and explained compost to him!

"You can put anything in the compost except oil or meat products. It all decomposes and feeds the soil." I was in the next room and just beaming! He had actually listened and filed my words!!!

Every day and every decision and every action does count. Our children are watching what we do and listening to what we say. It sure makes a difference, in ways we may not know until we catch them doing something GREEN.

[Tara Burner]

My daughter (just turned 13) is green ( http://www.trendydivatalk.com is her blog, though she seriously needs to update it)
my son (almost 20) is to a degree....
I wish both were greener but I'm glad my daughter is and does what she can and helps explain different green info with people :)
Tara

[Frannie]

Great question! I am actually surprised at how much my own actions have rubbed off on my kids. My 4-year old son is constantly turning lights on (to a fault, I'll turn one on and he'll follow me and turn it off - lol!) and he's very aware of wasting water. He loves to help me bring the recycling out and is going to plant a veggie garden with me. I am also trying to teach them the importance of respecting our own bodies by eating healthy and exercising. I am seeing first hand how we do lead by example!

[laura caton]

Other than start our own web site in early 2007, www.ecosavvykid.com, we did manage to keep our 2008 resolution, which was to enjoy more of Cape Cod's natural beauty. My family and I hiked more new trials than we ever have. While being green is a hot theme for the marketing set, I would ask that parents on Cape Cod look at being green in a totally different light. Show your kids how fortunate they are to be here on Cape Cod. Show them the natural beauty of the beaches, state parks, National Seashore, and trails. Turn off the Wii, iPod, Nintendo and computer and take a walk outside. Reintroduce your kids to the outdoors, the place most of us spent playing for hours, as children.

We can't ask our children to care about the environment and to be conservationists if they have no idea what it is they are protecting. Get your kids outside. It's a resolution that costs nothing but will pay dividends down the road!

[Katie]

Kids love animals and they can learn how to protect them and our environment through this cool link on the New England Aquariums website: http://www.neaq.org/insider.

The site is a behind the scenes tour of the NEAq's fish filled halls.
A great rainy/snowy day activity that is fun and educational!

Happy green parenting!

[greenTmom]

Hi Jenn,
Sounds like you have some wonderful Green Kids and I love the term "eco-warriors" it gives kids a real sense of pride to be fighting for a positive cause such as saving the earth! I have two little girls that are great Green Kids! Also just wanted to take the time to say how much I like your website and your forum. Keep up the good Green work!

Jenn Savedge said:

Great question! My girls and I enjoy doing a lot of "green" stuff together like gardening, composting, recycling, etc. I also try to teach my kids to go green in little ways all throughout the day...we talk about the importance of minimizing waste, eating organic foods, and giving back to our community as we're shopping, cleaning, eating, and reading. They are really quite the eco-warriors!