How to be an Eco-Friendly Parent

In this world we live in it is important to a lot of people to be as eco as possible to make sure they are having a positive impact on the planet while going through life. However, when it comes to raising children some people can forget about this or are not sure how to be more eco while they are bringing up their kids. There are a few things you can do to make sure you bring your kids up in an eco way not only to do your bit for the planet but to also raise your children to be closer to nature and respect it but to also grow up and want to do their bit too.

It can be hard to know where you can make changes and what you can do to be eco and do your bit to help the planet recover. Hopefully, these few tips may help you know where to get started and what you can do to make sure your child grows up knowing and wanting to help save the planet.

Use reusable nappies

A great way to make a start in being more eco is to start using reusable nappies, with the number of nappies used and thrown away they make up a hefty percentage of the world’s landfills. If you think how many kids are born around the world in a day and most of them will be using disposable nappies that is a lot of nappies just getting thrown out. With reusable nappies you are able to wash them and use it, again and again, allowing you to cut down the waste you are sending to landfill, and this will be a great start to your more eco-lifestyle. Reusable nappies can need throwing out eventually, but if you have a few of them, you can keep them in rotation and allow them to last as long as possible.

Recycle and reuse things

Most parents usually want to buy brand new items for their children instead of reusing old toys or recycling toys from other people. The reason to try and recycle clothes and prams and things like that from your other children or maybe a friend or family members children is because most children can grow out of things pretty quick so it can save you money and time from having to change their clothes and toys constantly. Also on top of this because babies grow out of things so quick anything you may purchase second hand or that may be passed down in some cases is basically brand new anyway.

Reduce water used at bath times

A great way to reduce not only your water consumption but also your water bill is to maximise the water used at bathtime. If you are just bathing one child, then run a bath that is enough for just them, if you have multiple children and they of an age where you could bath them together then try to do this where possible this will reduce the amount of water you have to use. If you do not want to bath them at the same time then try using the same bath for them after and just top it up with some hot water if it has got cold, this will then mean you are not running multiple baths a night for your children, most kids are not fussy so won’t mind sharing the bath or bathwater.

Take your baby and children outside when possible

To make sure your child is as close to nature as possible and grows up to respect nature and what it has to offer, try and get them out and about in the countryside and have them experiencing nature for themselves. To many children in the new age of technology are being brought up in an environment where we see more of a screen than we do the outdoors, this can reduce the care your children have for the world and narrow their minds to what is out there. Obviously with newborns and younger children you need to be slightly more cautious and make sure you are dressing them appropriately and make sure you are not taking them into busy areas that would be filled with germs as they are more susceptible at that young age.

Drive less,

This one ties in well with the last one, as well as getting your children out and about ty and do it without driving where you can. Emissions from vehicles are a big cause of global warming and the issues we are having with our ecosystem, so reducing the amount you drive is a great way to have an impact on the world. This will allow you to get out with your children into the fresh air and reduce your impact on global warming at the same time, another significant aspect of getting the children out walking instead of in the car is that you are getting them to exercise, this will allow you to tackle diet at the same time.

Make your own baby food

Making your own baby food not only reduces the amount of packaging you have to recycle or throw out but also helps with your child’s diet and nutritional intake. Baby food is basically just blended up food, so making your own baby food is relatively easy; you need to find what your baby likes and will eat then prepare meals for that and blend it. This allows you to monitor what is put in the food and what nutritious intake they are getting, just make sure you do not make it exactly like your limit spices and things like that which could be unpleasant to a baby. The fact you can also just make them what you are eating for dinner will mean you can save some money as well as you are already making that meal you may just need to adapt it slightly for them.

If you are looking to be more eco with how you bring up your children, but you are not sure where to, then these tips may help you understand it more and get started on your eco journey.