There are lots of things that are NOT easier to do with four kids under the age of five. Chainsaw sculptures, for example. And sherpa-ing up Mount Everest.
But really, little kids make it fairly easy to be green. Here are some good reasons:
1. Kids like to play with boxes so no need to invest in toys!
2. Kids think compost is cool (as long as they don’t have to smell it).
3. Kids will hand you the clothespins while you hang the clothes on the line.
4. The last place the kids want to be is in the car. “Mommy, I want to ride my bike. Mommy, let’s go for a walk with the wagon.” Kids basically hate being strapped down in car seats, mostly because they are little engines themselves.
5. Kids like to help. They aren’t very good at actually weeding the vegetable garden, but they are enthusiastic anyway!
6. Rotating toys, shoes, etc. works on little kids. They forget about that doll or pair of second-hand shoes for awhile (because you tucked them away),and they are totally psyched to see them again! Reuse!
7. Kids love the moon, pink twilight, spider webs, cicadas shells, acorns (see above) and all other manner of natural marvels that we get kind of immune to as we get older.
8. Kids force you to eat at home more, because that’s where they are happiest. And eating at home means control of the product!
I’m thinking about this because I know a lot of parents who make excuses for not recycling or who are agog that we use cloth diapers and hang clothes on the line (How do you have the time/energy?!)
All I think is– what matters to you comes out in your life, through the cracks, especially. And nothing is more cracked than a parent trying to keep it together as they raise their kids the best way they can.
I just try to remember– I know they are watching and they are listening.
Posted on September 4, 2009
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