“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” -The Lorax, Dr. Seuss
As my son and I watched The Lorax the other day, I couldn’t help but think about Mother Earth Day coming up.
My son, throughout the movie, asked questions and at the very end asked one that really hit home. “Will that ever happen here Mommy?”
He was referring to the state of Thneedville, the destruction of all the Truffula trees, the sad state of the animals, and the need for bottled air. I could understand his concern. The moment that last Truffula tree fell, my heart sank as well. I took this as the perfect opportunity to tell him about how we, he and I, could help our planet.
How we could do our part to help save our Mother Earth and keep this from happening here and now. Although he is still young, there are plenty of (fun!) things we can do together to make a difference.
In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to share with you the ideas we had!
1. Recycle
Teach your child about recycling and allow them to sort out the recycling in your home. This will start a live long habit for them!
2. Garden
A great way to start is to create an eggshell garden inside first. Then once they seedlings are ready, you take them outside and plant them together. This allows your little ones to actually see the seeds sprout and watch over them before they are planted outside. No matter where you live, gardening is possible…with or without a backyard! And there is something just so very rewarding when you are able to grow something from a seed!
3. Turn off the lights
Since my son is still a tad shy of being able reach the light switches, I purchased the extenders and taught him to turn the light off each time he leaves the room.
4. Conserve water
Teach them to turn off the water while they are brushing their teeth. Once they are a bit older, teach them how to take shorter showers, how to turn off the water when they are washing their hands, etc.
5. Open the windows
Anytime that we can, we turn the A/C off and we open the windows! We love letting the fresh air blow through the house all while saving electricity!
6. Grill
My son loves to help me get the grill ready and to be outside with me while I grill. This saves electricity inside (no oven or stove needed) and also allows us to be outside with the fresh air and sunshine!
7. Use your imagination and senses
Find creative ways to play without electricity and screens. Build a city with Playdough, create a construction site with Kinetic Sand, make a bird feeder out of bagels, peanut butter and seeds. There are so many interactive and fun activities that the list really is endless!
8. Go outside!
This one is our favorite! Turn off the lights, turns off the screens, put away all electronics. Explore nature, appreciate her and soak in the beauty all around you!
While this list is by no means inclusive, I hope that it provides a jumping off point for you and your littles to give back to our great planet. The more we teach our children now, the less we have to worry about the state our Mother Earth will be in when they inherent her.
If you have other great ideas to share, be sure to post them in the comments below!
Happy Earth Day!
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I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!
