It’s Not That Easy Bein’ Green

Kermit speaks the truth. This Thursday, April 22nd is Earth Day and will give us all a reminder that our planet is in our care.  Last year I wrote a post asking whether busy moms could really be “green,” because it just seemed like such an impossible feat for me at the time.  Well, I can’t say that my household has entirely given up sandwich baggies or papertowls (perish the thought!), but I have begun the process of teaching my kids about the basics like recycling and conservation.

A teaching moment for me recently, was at Disney – during one of our many, many trips to the restroom – when Chatterbox decided to take way too much paper out of the hand towel dispenser to dry her hands. She thought it was funny to ball up a huge wad of paper, but I explained to her and Giggles right then and there where paper comes from and why it is important to use only what you need and no more. Not only was it a great opportunity to teach them not to be wasteful with paper, it was also cool to see the wonder in their faces at the idea that everything comes from somewhere. And of course I spent the next 8 minutes fielding all sorts of questions about how paper was made. But it was worth it. I gave that small activity meaning and, hopefully, they’ll remember our little discussion in the bathroom at EPCOT when they’re at the sink for years to come.  The Living with the Land ride at EPCOT was enlightening for the kids too. As we rode through the supersized greenhouse looking at all of the plants, I asked: “Do you know where fruit comes from?” And both girls said: “The grocery!” And it occurred to me that I had some teaching to do.

So we’re taking this “green” thing day by day, and finding moments to teach ourselves what we can do to do our part for the planet. We might still be using those plastic bags at the grocery (I know), but we recycle the heck out of things and proudly lug our big blue bins to the curb come Wednesday morning. It’s a start.