Sustainable Parenting

Recycling comes in many forms, but one that can really make a huge difference in your pocketbook as well as the environment is buy clothes in recycled clothing stores or thrift stores.

I recently moved to a town where all the school children (public and private) have to wear uniforms.  The school where my eldest will be attending has a wonderful organized storage of uniforms that have been donated to be given to other students.  We all know too well how fast children grow out of their clothes.  This uniform donation ritual allows each child to give their gently used/outgrown clothes and receive new gently used uniforms.  Many parents depend upon this to program and it really saves money.

Another thrifty green idea is registering for items for your baby shower at your local resale shop.  Many first time mothers are very particular about what they want for their newborns, but when it is your 2nd, 3rd, 4th child you long for someone to give you some hand-me-downs because of all the “poop explosions” or squash and sweet potatoes stains.  What one thrift store did was allow an expectant mom make a pile of all the items that she would like and then a display was made showcasing her selections.  She had items such as clothes, bouncie seats, exercauser, swing, etc.  Her friends not only saved money, but they rethought about utilizing their local thrift store more.

Years ago someone gave me a good called “The Titewad Gazette”.  It was a collection of ideas for saving money and organizing everyday items.  I highly recomend it if you can ever find a copy.

Just remember - Living Green can Save you Green

Convenience is a mother’s best friend.  However convenience can come at a price.  Not only are many individualized snacks more expensive, but they are also more wasteful.  Juice boxs, snack wrappers and other packaging ends up in the landfill which takes more than 50 years to biodegrade (if that).

The real name of the game is preparedness.  I know that it can be difficult to prepare for snack time or “on the go” snacks, but if you get in the habbit of making your snack list at the beginning of the week (just like your meal menu) life can be much easier.

Having containers to place items into instead of using disposable baggies is the best way to keep it organized by child and not be wasteful.   Have each child write their name on their container and then it can be filled with either fruit,  graham crackers,  etc.

Here is an example of our weekly snack menu  (all of our snacks are purchased at our local organic market or at out local farmer’s market)

Sliced Apples

Grapes (Green and Red Seedless)

Cinamon Graham Sticks

Cheddar Bunnies (we love Annies crackers)

Frozen Peas ( a fun treat)

Orange Slices

Peanut Butter or Cashew Butter and Bannana Sandwhiches (cut into quarters)

Homemade Granola and Energy Bars

Since I normally have a “crew” to feed and they are normally in the car for long periods of time while we are picking up other children, I try to have everything ready and in a cooler when I pick up the kids from school.  Each child also has their own filtered water bottle with their name on it We are big believers in the filtered water bottles, so that whereever we go the kids can get tap water and then it is filtered through their own bottle.  This saves time and money for thirsty kids who don’t need any more sugary juices.

To find the filterd bottles you can go to www.5pillars.com/clgeiger  

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