Raising kids who care about the earth

22/8/2017

Raising kids who care about the earth

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This episode of Pregnancy Birth and Beyond we are talking about raising kids who care for the earth, sustainability and farm life. Our guest is Annie Bryant, storyteller and musician who lives on a hobby scale farm on the far south coast of Australia with her family. Annie's stories and music for children are inspired by nature and the rhythms of life.
Annie's son Jonahki also joins us to accompany Annie for a live song.

Environmental sustainability and sustainable growth is development that meets current demands without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This definition of sustainability comes from the Brundtland Report in 1987, setting the standard for sustainable development.

While Annie and her family currently live on a farm, it doesn't mean those who live in urban settings can't connect with nature and find ways to be more environmentally sustainable.
Annie suggests even noticing the leaves on a tree, the texture, colour and shape connects a young child with nature. If you can't do a garden, which is lovely, even a potted garden on the porch or in the court yard also connects a child and adult with nature.

Our 10 top family friendly sustainability ideas:
1. Instead of buying new kids clothes organise a kids clothing swaps with friends and others on your community.
2. Apart from cloth nappies, make your own baby wipes, use per-loved soft fabric, cut into squares, soak in water and coconut oil, store in a ready to use container.
3. Have you thought about Mama Bake? get together with friends to bulk cook family meals.
4. Bring your own coffee and babycino cups to cafe's.
5. Use reusable menstrual products - cups and pads.
6. Foster a love of nature by family weekend fun walking trails, hikes. and camping trips.
7. Go waste free for birthday parties. Have friends bring their own plates, cutlery and cups. No straws or balloons.
8. Heading to the beach, take a spare bag and pick up rubbish left behind as you leave.
9. Shop local from your farmers markets or order your veggie box from local farms.
10. Only wash in cold water and when you have a full load, this reduces your clothing wash electricity by up to 80 percent.

"We can't blame children for occupying themselves with social media rather than playing in the mud. Our society doesn't put a priority on connecting with nature. In fact, too often we tell them it's dirty and dangerous" David Suzuki

and this one

"Unless we are willing to encourage our children to reconnect with and appreciate the natureal world, we can't expect them to help protect and care for it" David Suzuki

Watch this mini documentary (2 minutes) about starting a garden, one of the most radical things you can do with your family to be the change you want to see in the world.