Now that you’re a parent, you need to start seriously thinking about your kids’ future. If we all continue living like we’re used to, there will be no future for our kids to enjoy, so greening it up is the only way to be a caring, loving and responsible parent. If you want to boost your eco-friendly parenting habits, here are a few tips to follow:
Choose reusable diapers
Did you know that an average baby uses up to around 6,000 diapers in the first two years of its life, all of which end up in the landfill? To reduce that number, you can opt for reusable nappies, which can be a long-term money saver that’s also kind on the planet. If you ditch disposable diapers, your baby will use about 2.7 kg of material instead of over 120 kg. These are not as practical as disposable ones, but reusable diapers will be worth the extra effort.
Use green products
Kids are dirty little cuties and you will need to go through many cleaning products to keep them and your house clean. To green up your habits, you can switch to natural homemade cleaners made with natural ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda.
Be responsible with toys
Today, our kids are blessed to have buckets and shelves full of toys. On the one hand, plastic toys allow us to buy toys cheaply, but on the other, they produce a lot of waste due to their brittle nature and unrecyclable make. So when buying toys for your kids, opt for durable and eco-friendly wooden toys by Montessori, made with high-quality natural materials. These are not just good for the environment, but also help stimulate children’s development through creative thinking, exploration and imagination. And if you take care of these toys properly, they can serve you all your kids and even stay in top shape for your grandkids.
Buy second-hand
Your baby doesn’t have to have a nursery equipped with the latest toy trends, fanciest furniture and newest clothes. A lot of the things can come from eBay, yard sales and flea markets, as long as you properly treat the second-hand items. This will save you a lot of money and allow you to treat your kids to something very nice without bringing more waste into the world. Many older clothing and furniture items are not only in perfect working condition but also made with more care, higher-quality materials and fewer toxins.
Borrow clothes and furniture from friends
You probably have some friends who recently had a baby. In that case, ask them to borrow baby stuff they don’t need anymore. This can include everything from maternity clothing for you to clothes for the baby, cribs, strollers and toys. If your friend is not planning to have any more kids, they will probably be happy to give you their own baby stuff, declutter their home and save themselves a trip to the charity shop.
Make your own baby food
Breastfeeding is the healthiest and most eco-friendly diet for your baby, but they can’t stay on this track forever. Once your kid starts eating baby food, you’ll notice that most of the things you can buy at the store are full of additives and devoid of micronutrients. A much better choice is to make your own baby food which can be full of nutrients and save on packaging and transportation. Making baby food is super simple and easy when you have a blender, and you can easily prepare it with regular ingredients and the food that you’re having for lunch.
Drive less
And finally, ditch your car whenever you can. When trying to be green, air pollution produced by vehicles is not going to help. Plus, transportation means like cycling, walking and using electric vehicles are much cheaper and better for your overall health and wellness. It’s super easy to opt for a trailer for walking and cycling when your baby gets a bit older and enjoys fresh air and sunshine. This will also allow your baby to enjoy the views, ask questions and get familiar with their surrounding—it’s much easier to do so when you’re not moving 80 km/h. By being green, you’re not just ensuring your child can enjoy a greener future, but also improving your own health and life. Green parenting tips are beneficial to all—your child, yourself and our planet.
