What Do You Buy the Mother Who Has Everything?

By Betsy Talbot

The mother I’m speaking of is Mother Nature.  April 22 is Earth Day, and this week people around the world are making an extra effort to be considerate of this little planet we call home.

 

But do we have to wait for Earth Day to show a little love?  Moms everywhere would agree that Mother’s Day is great, but a little appreciation those other 364 days would be nice, too.

 

How can your family help Mother Nature stay healthy every day?

 

Parents

Do you buy coffee on your way to work or to drop off the kids at school? Switch to a stainless steel mug and keep 250+ cups and lids from going to the landfill every year.

 

Buy your produce locally at farmers’ markets.  All that excess packaging and fuel for transport will be spared and you’ll be helping the local economy (not to mention eating fresher, more delicious food).  You can also teach your kids the skill of negotiation.

 

Keep a few canvas totes in your car or by your front door.  You’ll have much sturdier bags to carry groceries, and you’ll save all those plastic bags from going to the landfill.

 

Make it a habit to donate items quarterly – toys, clothes, food.  Almost all of us have more than we need, and donating regularly teaches your children to be compassionate to others and practical about their own possessions.

 

Kids

If you set up a recycling center in your home, your kids will be able to maintain it.  Even small children can put cans and cereal boxes in the appropriate bins, and they learn leadership skills when put in charge of a household task.

 

For every new toy a child receives, and old toy can be donated.  When we are less attached to material things we have more emotional and physical freedom.  What better age to learn this than before credit card eligibility!

Participating in a community cleanup project with a Scout troop, school, or other service program teaches children the value of teamwork.

 

Resources for Recycling

·        Find out how to recycle just about anything in your area at Earth911.

·        Remove yourself from junk mail lists at Catalog Choice or the Direct Marketing Association.

·        Teach your children about recycling at The Kids Recycling Zone.

 

Betsy Talbot writes about simplicity and lifestyle design at www.marriedwithluggage.com

Comments

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so gorgeous! and such a delightful retelling of memories! thank you for sharing... I haven't thought a lot about color inspiration from my youth, actually. This would be good to consider. Growing up as a floridian, the first thing that comes to mind are the peaches and pink shades of Flamingos, terra cotta spanish tiled roofs, and various shades in the yellow-orange-persimmon family of citrus fruit. Wow, I miss warm weather! breath....count blessings....but the snow sure is pretty.20110217pilipalagaga

[NFL Jerseys]

I've heard enough good things about this movie that I intend on seeing it. But, like with books, I'll start with the library copy. if I like it, then I'll buy it.

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Thankyou for a very entertaining and enlightening piece. It definitly opened my eyes to allot of things I had not thought of before.

[Debb Whitlock]

Great suggestions Betsy - thanks for sharing this simple yet important ideas.

I find that many drive-thru coffee houses will give you a little discount if you use your own mug! (The financial advisor in me loves seeing ways we can save a little bit each year.)

The little extra time it takes to plan to take the mug in the am could seriously add up in the long run!