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5 Ways to Have an Eco-Friendly Child
By Alexandra Todorova
From the moment that they're born, children are mass consumers. The lists that you make of all the things that your new baby needs soon turn into the lists of all the things that your young child wants. Bringing your child up to be eco-friendly may be a little daunting, but it's achievable because there's more than enough help out there for all of us. Here's just 5 of the many ways that you can have an Eco-Friendly child:
1. Begin at Home - Encouraging your child to grow up living an eco-friendly lifestyle, begins at home, with the entire family. Set the standard and lead by example. Make sure that you recycle your plastics, washing and crushing any bottles and piling up any paper or cardboard that can be taken away to be recycled. When you have a household recycling point in your home, you can educate the whole family about what, when and how to recycle.
Tip: Why not turn it into a game or competition and make it fun at the same time?
2. Clothing - You can avoid mass-manufactured clothing created by 11 year-olds in sweatshops in Asia, by seeking out companies that sell eco-friendly and ethically produced children's clothing.
Choosing clothing for your baby or child that encourages sustainability and is manufactured with a low impact on the environment is a great way for your child to be eco-friendly on a daily basis. Look out for eco-friendly clothing that is free of chemicals and uses 100% natural fibers.
Tip: Think about choosing sustainable fibers such as organic cotton or bamboo
3. Skin Care - Young babies and children need a lot of love and care. Creams, lotions, shampoos and soaps all help keep them healthy, clean, and happy. But many of the traditional skin care products for children come in plastic, non-recyclable containers and are manufactured using inorganic ingredients.
It's been shown that over 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed by the body. A young child's immune system shouldn't have to contend with all the nasty chemicals that come in standard skin care products.
When you choose eco-friendly skin care products for your baby, you should look for products that use 100% natural ingredients and that come in containers and packaging that are 100% recyclable.
Tip: Always read the labels of baby products and look out for ingredients you want to avoid
4. Eco-Toys - Eco friendly toys are made from natural, safe materials that do not impact negatively upon either the environment, nor introduce harmful chemicals into your home. If you're looking for a toy that you feel confident for your little ones to chew and teeth on, look for a guarantee that no pesticides or chemicals are used in the production process.
You should look out for toys that are made from 100% natural fibers and you'll be making your eco-friendly contribution to the planet.
Tip: Wooden and organic cotton toys are great fun and very eco-friendly
5. Food - Of course, one of the simplest ways to have an eco-friendly child is through your choice and selection of the food that they eat. Since babies are more prone to infections and more vulnerable to pesticides and their immune system is not fully operational, it makes sense to pick an organic product, packaged in chemical-free wrapping. Choosing locally produced food is also a way to reduce your carbon footprint and help your child live an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Tip: Save money as well by growing vegetables at home, and to encourage your children to eat the, educate with fruit/ vegetable shaped toys
So there you have it, 5 simple ways to ensure that your child starts life in an eco-friendly way.
Encouraging Children to Sleep in their own Beds - It Can Be Done
By Jason Lewis
Many parents are forced with the task of getting their children to sleep in their own room at night. This action is especially hard to accomplish if the little one has been allowed to sleep with his/her parents into toddlerhood. The longer you wait to get them to sleep in their own room, the harder it will be to do. Fortunately, there are some ways you can help them becoming independent, and feel proud that they can sleep alone.
Make a fuss over the child sleeping in their own room. Allow the child to help select their bedding, whether it be their favorite colors or cartoon characters. Purchase 2-3 pillows and a stuffed animal (if they do not already have a favorite) so the child feels completely surrounded and "protected" while lying in bed. Praise the child for beginning this new phase in his/her life of being independent.
A bedtime routine should be implemented and followed to help the child go to bed in his/her own room. This will help them get into the mood to sleep, and may make it easier to do so alone. Giving the child a bath and then settling them in their own bed for a story or two will help them realize it time to go to sleep.
Nightlights are a tremendous comfort for young child when they begin to sleep alone. There is nothing wrong with leaving a closet light on, or plugging in a small light bulb so they can have a slightly illuminated room to fall asleep in. Many children are afraid of the dark when they are little, which is why they insist on sleep with their parents for protection. A way to break this habit later on is to give him/her a flashlight to use when he/she needs to go to the bathroom, or just needs a little light when scared.
If sleeping alone has become a huge ordeal, have a talk with your child to find out why he/she feels the need to sleep with you at night. Sometimes, it can be easier to give in and just allow the child to sleep in your bed or floor, but you are really doing him/her a disservice if you wish to get them in their own beds at night. There are various reasons why a child refuses to sleep by themselves, and if you find out exactly why, you may be able to fix the problem.
Sleeping alone can be a scary idea for a small child. Parents must go about the task the right way to avoid stirring up more fears and anxiety over the situation.