As the very word suggests, ‘Green Parenting’ is all about parenting kids in environment friendly ways. The concept basically aims to promote attachment and interaction among parents and kids maintaining an affinity to promote a greener and cleaner future. Let’s have a look at some of the best green parenting ideas that we can put into application in a quite effective and eco-friendly manner.
‘Green’ pregnancy
Pregnancy is not just about carrying your baby for nine months. It’s a delicate period when you need to take an extra care of your diet, health and life style. Just hook on to these simple yet healthy food habits that would reap rich results for you and your kid.
a. Consume more local grown , organic foods
One concern that always pokes several minds is the presence of pesticides in green vegetables. Certain common foods like peach, strawberry, spinach, bell peppers etc. stand a strong chance of getting contaminated. Try to grow a few in your kitchen garden and make sure that these are free of of insecticides and pesticides. Fruits like banana and orange come with tough peel and hence, these are less vulnerable to contamination. It’s always wise to be on the safe side for you and your kid.
b. Scrap out plastic containers, especially those containing Bisphenol A
BPA or Bisphenol A has always been considered as one of the most potent threat to fetus. A pregnant woman consuming food stuff stored in BPA jars or bottles can run into risk of passing on harmful chemicals to her child. A better option for replacing plastic cans is reusable glass containers or stainless steel boxes and bottles. Experts believe BPA can lead to miscarriages and a pregnant woman should strictly stay away from these. The enormous amount of pollution released during production of plastic also plays a ‘villainous’ part in doing the damage.
c. Care of maternity clothes
Make sure you are dressed in clean and hygienic clothes during the entire stretch of pregnancy. You can’t afford to miss out on it since its deeply associated with your health and the one who is breathing inside your womb. Cut down on unnecessary shopping. Reuse your own clothes and wash those on regular intervals. By doing so, you can also set an example for others about how to be clean and green during those 9 months.
d. Take care of your skin and make sensible amendments
There might be several skincare products available in the market bearing the tag of organic product. Don’t just get carried away by what it appears. In most of the cases, these are really not contrary to the appearance and tag. Doctors have associated reckless use of skincare products to mishaps in pregnancy from time to time. Try to avoid products containing Retinoids, especially used in anti wrinkle creams and salicylic acid and in acne medicines. Though sunscreens are safe to use, yet make sure these have more herbal contents.
e. Keep the air clean
Keep your surrounding free from Volatile Organic Compounds that can easily evaporate into air. It’s also advisable to stay away from air fresheners, carpet cleaner, laundry detergents etc. since most of these contain chemicals.
Eco Baby
After waiting for 9 months, you finally welcome the little guest with much gusto. Babies are fragile and they should be kept close to natural elements as much as possible. The greener a baby’s environment would be, the better would be his growth. Let’s have a look at some of the green methods you can bring into application for your baby.
a. Healthy nutritional habits
An effortless and simplistic change in your food habit like including more organic fruits and vegetables can ensure chemical and fertilizer free nutrition for your baby. This simple habit can minimize the exposure to pesticides by about 90 percent. Investing green habits will definitely bear rich benefits for your baby in future. Apart from sound protection from pesticides, your baby would also receive the immense nutrition and health benefits from pure green vegetables devoid of chemicals.
b. Organize a ‘Green Baby Shower’
Throwing out a party, be it a simple baby shower, generates a lot of paper and plastic wastes. These are not only harmful for environment but also vulnerable for the baby breathing through his mother. Phase out plastics and introduce eco friendly dimensions by sending e-vites to your guests instead of invitation cards carved out of paper. This would take you and your child a step closer to nature.
c. Clean it the green way
Your daily chores often include cleaning and dusting that requires cleaning products containing chemicals. The very caution notice: ‘Keep away from children’ means a lot for your baby. Switch on to an all new natural mode of cleaning by using vinegar and water. It acts smartly against molds and also cuts down the risk of spreading chemicals in the environment.
Raising eco-friendly kids
Kids learn from what they see. If you follow a few simple eco friendly steps, your kid would pick it up gradually. That’s undoubtedly the best method to get your kids involved in practicing eco friendly activities. Let’s have a look at these.
a. Save water
Be a responsible and sensible parent. Always turn off your shower, taps and faucets when not in use. This is arguably one of the simplest eco friendly habits that you can cultivate in your kids. Make them understand the value of water in human being’s life and with due course of time, they would contribute much towards preserving water.
b. Abate air pollution
Your vehicle’s engine emanates dirty and poisonous gases that eventually pollute the air around you. Take a walk up to your local grocery store instead of turning on to your bike or car. Walk up to the nearest park. These simplest of stuffs, apart from cutting down air pollution will also make them physically strong and active.
c. Plant a tree
Plant a sapling and water it daily. Tell your child how plants help in keeping the environment cleaner, purer and safe to breathe around us. You can also ask your little one to water trees occasionally. This is another concrete yet simple measure you can undertake to raise your kids in an eco friendly manner.
