Anyone who has been around a child for longer than 2 seconds knows that their attention span is all of a micro second and poof, you exceeded the allotted time for that said subject with them.
As a parent I have learned that repetition is the key to success, I've been asked if I have limitless levels of patience and yes at times I do. I feel like teaching the next generation the tools to make the world better is the whole reason we are here. To show them not to make the same mistakes twice. How to prevent our great grandchildren from never seeing a polar bear in real life at a zoo, or not having any free elephants roaming this planet, reduce the amount of acid lakes and streams we have killing entire habitats, show them to stand firm in efforts to prevent and destroy resources we need, not turn a blind eye. To use these resources resposibily allowing us to get the most out of our efforts. Passiveness is destroying us, there are silent ways you can help prevent this destruction from home without ignoring the situation. Simply reusing a Ziploc bag twice statistically will save you .78 cents, use the same bag ten times - adds up to lunch. Using less chemicals and more of the old school items that work just the same and are less harsh to manufacture, produce and supply. Such as, vinegar. Is slightly pungent to the nose but has no chemical effects to the body, cleans and removes stains. I could spend $3.99 on a bottle of blue glass cleaner or I buy 16 ounces of distilled white vinegar for $1.59, a spray bottle for .99, mix a 80/20 solution mix and still have over 13 ounces of vinegar left to clean. That equivalates to 8 or 9 bottles of Smurf spray at around $35.00. Little things really do make a difference. Although with a generation that expects things to be done in a micro notice, flash drives and insta-mail, I can't speak fast enough to keep them glued. Best thing is to start when they are young. Statistics show that guiding and implementing at early ages is the only way to truly instill behavior modification so that it sticks and becomes a regular routine thing.
Generations before us have utilized our Earths resources irresponsibly, leaving us with the waste to clean up, a huge mess to figure out as well as still being able to provide our essentials like heat, clean water, gas and things we need daily for our civilization to succeed. The government will sit and talk this horse to death all the while it will worsen. We as a society have made some changes, and we try but fact is we have to implement and set firm follow stones for then next generations to follow. We can do more then just order the recycling option from our trash company, and say we recycle - when most of those dont really even go to a recycling facility. It's a ideal your paying for, not a service.
If they don't know where to go - they will get lost. ~ A Lost Man
Sitting down and explaining the act of depleting ozone layers, greenhouse effects and recycling to a group of post toddlers would be excruciating for them, not to mention if I say the word gas the whole point becomes mute and children giggle about fart noises. I would not gain any points, in fact I would lose my cool "Awesome Ally" title and we would all be right back at square one. Fact is, someone, anyone just someone needs to step in and show these kids to re-use items, to look at things in different lights, to problem solve using all sides of the box not just whats in the box. The just because it is useless this second does not mean it can not help you solve another problem. I encourage teaching about compost bins, its a great way to get better tasting fruit and vegetables for your dietary needs but a great way to improve the environment and utilize the land that you live on. I know I saved close to $350.00 in 2012 because of the veggies and items I grew from our own backyard. The boys loved to help, the least favorite thing was to pull weeds, but if I let them pick a watermelon to share when the chore was done, I had no idea that they didn't enjoy picking weeds. I created a blue-print for when it rains the over -flow will circulate through a small pond sending the fertilizer into the garden wells and watering the plants. Nature fertilizing my plants when it rains, not $60.00 worth of harsh chemicals your body was not created to process being sprayed all over them. My husband has the worst issue with soda, drives me nuts; to me it's wasteful, bad for your body it is a useless and costly endeavor. Although re-using his bottles for seed starters has been quite effective and helpful in cutting down the waste being produced. Also I found out that you can bury a 2 liter bottle with watering holes bored into it, placing it into the ground next to your plants and create a slow leak well watering system for plants to prevent drying out, so that also helped immensely. The border and liner for the pond is made out of old tires and heavy duty plastic sheeting that was discarded for a construction site and a tire shop, always ask before taking materials if you may have them. I received a box full of packing peanuts, these things are awesome when looked at through a childs eyes. I found two big washing machine/dryer boxes and taped them together - I made a home-made foam pit. Who scored points there - me... I make sure to put a creative touch on my projects, I want to set an example and make them look nice; To encourage others to look around and transform items into useful and resourceful tools.
I'd love for people to see that just the little changes can make a big difference for our children and our grand children. The older they get the more they tune us out, so get to them when their young, show them a better way and lead by example, its the only way of making sure we give the next generations a leg up not start off behind in the last quarter mile of the race.
Sites & resources -
2-Liter Plant Waterer Fire pit from a dryer
Tire Pond Foam Pit
Home made, cleaning products ~ Healthy, safe and friendly
