Category: Parenting

Babyproofing Steps You Shouldn’t Forget About

Babyproofing Steps You Shouldn’t Forget About

Your baby is only a few months old. They haven’t learned how to crawl, let alone walk just yet. But in the blink of an eye, they’ll be on their little feet, running around the house. They’ll be figuring out how to open doors, climb up shelves and play with all of your precious belongings like toys.

This is why you should start babyproofing your house sooner rather than later. The early days of taking care of your new baby are busy, so you’ll want every room to be safe and secure even before your little one begins moving around.

Other than installing baby gates by stairwells and tethering bookcases to walls, what other babyproofing steps should you take?

Babyproof Your Windows

Toddlers are naturally curious. You don’t want that curiosity to draw them to an open window—especially if that open window is above the first floor. That could be extremely dangerous.

So, to make sure that your kid never tries to climb out of a window, you should add window stoppers to the frames. These will stop windows from opening wide enough for a child to crawl through. You will be able to open up the window just enough to let in a breeze.

You could also replace any of your awning, casement or single-hung windows with double-hung windows. Double-hung windows have two operable sashes. You can open up the top sash to let in fresh air and keep the bottom one shut. This window gap will be much harder for your child to access since it will be too high up for them to climb through.

As an added safety measure, move cribs, bassinets, chairs and other furniture away from windows. If they are too close to the windows, your child could easily make their way to the window ledges and climb up. Keep these areas clear.

Window Treatments

Your windows present another problem for little kids: window treatments. Certain window treatments that have long cords can be very hazardous to infants and young children. They can get these cords around their necks and severely injure themselves. Sometimes, the injuries are fatal. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 9 children under the age of 5 die of this hazard per year. To keep your child safe around windows, decorate them with cordless window treatments.

Curtains without any ties are usually child-safe décor options. Another potential issue with them is that children can pull or climb on them, which could cause the heavy curtain rod to tumble onto them. To avoid this issue, you should make sure that the curtain rod is properly secured to wall studs. You can also pick a shorter curtain style instead of long curtains that go straight to the ground. Shorter curtains will be less tempting for kids to grab and climb.

Babyproof Your Electrical Outlets

Your kid might find the electrical outlets around your house very enticing. After all, the outlets will be at eyelevel when they are crawling around on the floor. They will be tempted to stick their fingers—or worse, stick small objects—into an outlet when you’re not paying close attention. They could get an electric shock from this.

So, how can you prevent this from happening? You could use plastic outlet caps. These caps have prongs that will neatly slide into the slots of the outlet. This should stop your child’s fingers or any other objects that they’re handling from entering the slots. The caps are also easy for adults to remove whenever they want to plug in an electrical device.

Another option that you can consider is replacing your outlet covers with self-closing outlet covers. These come with built-in panels that automatically slide over to hide the outlet whenever it’s not in use. They won’t be visible to your child, so they won’t be health hazards.

Babyproof Your Bathroom

Babyproof Your Bathroom

It may sound strange, but toilets can be dangerous for young kids. Since a toilet bowl has standing water in it, a small child could drown in it. Technically, small children can drown in an inch or two of water — so even if it’s unlikely, you should still be cautious about this household hazard.

What can you do to protect your child from this specific danger? Put a toilet seat lock on your toilet. This should stop your little one from opening up the lid and getting their head into the water. You won’t have to worry about removing the toilet lock until your kid is a little older and fully potty-trained.

On a lighter note, a toilet seat lock can help you prevent a situation that’s far less dangerous: plumbing damage. Lots of kids think of toilets as fun toys that they can play with. They want to throw everything from entire rolls of toilet paper to stuffed animals into the toilet bowl and flush them away. This innocent game can lead to some serious drain clogs and some steep plumbing bills.

Another great way to keep your little one out of your bathroom and away from the toilet is to install a childproof doorknob cover on the bathroom door. With this safety measure in place, young children can’t get a solid grip on the doorknob and open up the closed door. As long as you keep the bathroom door shut, your kid shouldn’t be able to wander inside the bathroom on their own.

Bathwater

Your kid’s skin is going to be extra sensitive to hot water. They could get a scald burn if they sit in a bath that’s too hot. Some parents try to avoid this situation by putting a bath thermometer in the tub to confirm that the water isn’t too hot for bathtime, but there’s a much better solution out there.

According to the American Burn Association, one of the best ways to prevent scald burns is to set your water heater to a lower temperature. The temperature should be at120° F. Not only can this prevent scald burns at bathtime, but it can also prevent scald burns when your child washes their hands or decides to play with the sink faucet.

Babyproof Your Finances

No matter how hard you try to prevent it, your kid can still get into trouble. Kids are tenacious that way. They can still manage to hurt themselves, even after you’ve put many, many safety measures in place. And they can still manage to damage your house when you’re not looking.

So, what can you do about this? Prepare your finances for these potential outcomes as soon as possible. Start building up an emergency fund (if you don’t have one already) so that you can afford to give your kid the medical attention they need when they hurt themselves. Your emergency savings could help you handle costs related to hospital visits, dentist appointments, prescription medications and more.

An emergency fund can also help you cover the costs of any household damages that your curious kid creates, like flushing their toys down the toilet and causing a huge plumbing clog. You can use the savings to cover urgent repairs for plumbing, windows, appliances and other household essentials.

If you don’t have an emergency fund on hand, you might not have enough savings available to cover an urgent medical expense or repair service out of the blue. In this case, you might want to look into an online loan for help — it can be one of the most effective options when you need cash now for an emergency. With an online loan, you could use the temporary funds to pay off the emergency and then follow a repayment plan right after.

You should only apply for a loan in an emergency. Do not use this borrowing option for everyday expenses, like groceries.

Don’t wait to start these babyproofing steps. Your kid will grow up and start exploring the house sooner rather than later. So, do them now!

Image Credits: Karolina Grabowska and Vladimír Sládekoo via Pexels.

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How to Teach Your Kids About Misinformation Online

How to Teach Your Kids About Misinformation Online

The digital landscape offers a wealth of knowledge and challenges. As a parent, you’re responsible for ensuring your children discern the real from the fake. Arming them with the right tools to challenge online misinformation is more crucial than ever. Here are some actionable ways to help guide your children.

1.  Teach Them to Question Everything

Teaching kids to be discerning online readers starts with fostering a questioning mindset.

Encourage them to probe deeper when they encounter new information. Rather than taking everything they read as the truth, they should challenge it.

Ask them to consider, “Is this information up to date? Can I trust this source? Who wrote this and why did they write it?” This approach aligns with the C.R.A.P. (Currency, Reliability, Authority and Perspective) Detection Test — a straightforward method to assess online content’s credibility.

2.  Instruct How to Spot Fake Social Media Accounts

Misinformation often finds its way to you through deceptive social media accounts, so teach your children to differentiate genuine profiles from fake ones. Tell them to examine profile pictures closely. A generic or stock image might be a sign of a fake account.

Next, encourage them to look at the account’s follower count in relation to its age. A user that’s only been active for a short time but boasts a large following can be suspicious.

Additionally, the content of the posts matters. Advise your children to read through several posts to determine if they seem genuine or are merely reposting sensational or controversial content without original thoughts. It’s also beneficial to check if the account interacts genuinely with followers, or if the comments seem automated or irrelevant.

3.  Encourage Lateral Reading

Lateral reading involves actively seeking out multiple sources to validate or refute the information they come across. Instead of solely relying on one article or video, prompt your children to open new tabs and compare facts from different outlets. Dr. Joel Breakstone — director of the Stanford History Education Group — champions this method, especially when debunking fake news.

To make this practice a habit, you could set up a family fact-checking challenge. Whoever successfully debunks a piece of misinformation could earn a small reward. This makes the process engaging, and instills a sense of responsibility and skepticism that will serve them well in the digital age.

4.  Train Them Look for Red Flags

When it comes to misinformation, the devil is often in the details. Take a lesson from the world of financial scams. Specific red flags can tip you off to a threat, such as spelling mistakes, public domain email addresses and unsolicited requests for personal information. These warning signs aren’t exclusive to financial scams and can be key indicators of fake news online.

How can you translate this into practical advice for your kids? First, teach them to scrutinize the language used in articles or social media posts or videos on platforms such as YouTube. If they read something online, tell them to look at the account that posted it. An account with no profile picture or description could be a scammer or a bot spreading misinformation. On social media, kids may receive private messages from accounts like this asking for personal information to enter a giveaway or saying they need to click a link.

Misinformation can come from any source, however. On social media, it’s common for news stories or popular trends to go viral without any verification. Advises your kids to be careful about repeating stories they hear online or trying popular trends that could impact their health. Tell them not to take advice from someone online who is not a professional.

5.  Show How to Verify Information

Encourage your kids to adopt a mindset of healthy skepticism. This means questioning the information they encounter while remaining open to discovering the truth. It’s a delicate balance but an essential one.

Drill the importance of not taking any information at face value into your children, especially from social media or unfamiliar websites. Show them how to use reputable fact-checking websites like Snopes or FactCheck.org to confirm the validity of a news story or viral post. Also, teach them to consult multiple trusted sources for any information.

For example, if they read a news article making a significant claim, they should cross-reference it with other reputable outlets. This practice helps confirm the information and provides a more nuanced understanding of the topic.

6.  Discuss Real-World Examples

When teaching your kids about misinformation, real-world examples prove invaluable. Instead of relying on hypothetical scenarios, turn to the digital content they interact with daily. Whether it’s a trending game, a viral TikTok video or a popular Instagram post, these platforms offer rich material for discussion. Encourage your kids to be internet skeptics and break down what they see and hear.

For instance, if they encounter a captivating YouTube video, prompt them to summarize its main points. Then, delve deeper by discussing the creator’s intentions. Was the video made to inform, entertain or persuade? Analyzing actual content helps children sharpen their critical-thinking skills and learn to discern the underlying motives in the vast sea of online information.

Equip Your Kids With Skills to Combat Misinformation

Don’t just warn your kids about the pitfalls of misinformation. Give them the tools to confront it head-on. Remember — a well-informed child doesn’t just passively consume information. They actively engage with it, question it and understand its impact. Start teaching your kids how to be savvy digital citizens today because an educated mind is the most effective weapon against misinformation.

Cora Gold - Editor in ChiefAuthor bio:  Cora Gold is the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She strives to live a happy and healthy life with her family by her side.
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10 Best Stuffed Animals for Babies (Tips and Recommendations)

Best Stuffed Animals for Babies and Tips and Recommendations for Parents

Plush toys are the favorites of many children, they can not only accompany children to play, but also help children develop social and emotional skills, stimulate imagination, and even improve cognitive abilities. But there are so many types of plush toys on the market, how do you know which ones are best for your child?

Join us on a journey through this article as we introduce you to 10 of the best plush toys for children, they all have their own characteristics and advantages, making your child love them. Our recommendations are based on the following aspects: quality, safety, creativity, education and fun. Let’s take a look!

10 Best Stuffed Animals for Babies

Alternative Jellycat Bunny Stuffed Animal

This charming bunny plush boasts a delightful dusty rose hue that reminds us of fluffy pink marshmallows drifting down from the sky. With long ears, a round face, and a playful purple nose, this adorable rabbit is sure to capture the hearts of both children and adults alike. Its velvety-soft fur is a joy to touch and cuddle with, making it a perfect companion for little ones as they grow up. Unlike Jellycat’s rabbit, this bunny’s material is luxuriously soft and gentle on skin, and its shape is simply irresistible to the author. We confidently recommend this bunny as a wonderful addition to any child’s collection of treasured toys.

Jellycat Bunny Stuffed Animal

Purple Owl Stuffed Animal

This delightful plush toy owl in a gorgeous shade of purple is made from top-notch plush materials, and this toy is both snuggly and tough. Parents can rest easy knowing it’s gentle on their little ones’ tender skin and free from any choking hazards. It’s the perfect companion for babies seeking comfort and playtime all rolled into one. It also meets all applicable safety standards. The owl has a soft, fluffy tummy that the baby can pet and feel the owl’s features. Children will not only experience joy while playing with this toy, but they will also gain knowledge about owls.

Purple Owl Stuffed Animal

Art Lion Stuffed Animal

I am thrilled to share that I have found an adorable art plush toy lion that is sure to captivate both babies and parents alike! Unlike the usual dull beige and brown toys, this lion boasts a vibrant rainbow color scheme that adds a pop of excitement to any baby’s toy collection. Not only does it break the monotony of traditional designs, but it also enhances a child’s visual surroundings and stimulates their visual development. With its playful patterns and colors, this lion will surely become a favorite for babies and their loving caregivers.

Art Lion Stuffed Animal

Chinchilla Stuffed Animal

This Chinchilla plush toy is modeled after the beloved character from the animated film Totoro. Its black and white color scheme makes it ideal for infants between the ages of 0-3 months, as research suggests that they are more visually stimulated by high-contrast items. Made from soft and cozy cotton fabric, this toy is gentle on your baby’s delicate skin. Its surface features intricate embroidery, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship that adds a touch of sophistication, making it a wonderful gift option. Furthermore, this toy is entirely free of plastic materials, making it both safe and eco-friendly.

Chinchilla Stuffed Animal

Narwhal Stuffed Animal

The narwhal plush toy is the perfect companion for children to explore their imagination and creativity during playtime. Its soft and plush body provides a comforting and huggable sensation, making kids feel like they are wrapped in a fluffy cloud of warmth. Designed to be durable and of the highest quality, this toy is sure to become a constant companion for kids, whether they are playing, snuggling, or on-the-go. The narwhal’s stunning body is adorned with a vibrant and eye-catching tie-dye pattern that resembles a fairy tale come to life! Additionally, the toy features a charming little horn that piques kids’ curiosity, making them eager to learn more about narwhals and legends. The narwhal plush toy is a delightful and educational plaything that kids will cherish and enjoy for years to come!

Narwhal Stuffed Animal

Angle Teddy Bear

Behold, a teddy bear with angel wings, akin to Cupid, the deity of love, soaring gracefully down from the heavens. Its plush body boasts a light brown hue, reminiscent of golden wheat basking in the sun’s warm glow. Its eyes are dark brown, akin to two shimmering chocolate beans, emanating kindness and tenderness. The teddy bear also features an adorable smile that beckons you to give it a hug. This toy is a comfortable and charming companion that can bring solace and delight to your toddler. However, its fur is relatively long, so exercise caution with young babies who might accidentally swallow or choke on it. This toy is suitable for older toddlers or as a romantic gift for your significant other.

Angle Teddy Bear

Knitted Alligator Stuffed Animal

Knitted stuffed animals are an ideal choice for babies as they do not shed lint and are hypoallergenic. This plush toy alligator is made from pure cotton, which feels soft and cozy. Its color is pure white, giving it a fresh and refined look. It features the characteristic alligator spikes on its back, resembling a row of tiny peaks. Although these spikes may seem hard, they are actually woven with cotton threads and are very soft and flexible. Additionally, it has an adorable shape, with a big mouth and four stubby legs. This alligator toy is a safe and enjoyable toy that will not only bring joy but also aid in the growth and development of babies.

Knitted Alligator Stuffed Animal

Axolotl Plush Toy

This axolotl plush toy is incredibly adorable, and its pink color makes it look like a sweet marshmallow. It has only five cockade-like protrusions, and they are asymmetrical, which is a unique design by the designer to give it more personality and charm. It’s made of a soft fleece fabric that allows kids to cuddle, sleep, or play with it. It also helps kids learn about the features and habits of amphibians like salamanders, increasing their curiosity and desire to explore the natural world. This axolotl plush toy is a cozy and educational toy that kids will love.

Axolotl Plush Toy

Fox Stuffed Animal

This plush fox toy is incredibly cute! Unlike the fox in fairy tales, it doesn’t have a cunning look. It actually looks a bit sleepy and dopey. Maybe it’s because it likes to play and sleep so much that it hasn’t had time to learn any fox tricks. The toy is made of soft, cozy cotton fabric that won’t irritate a baby’s skin. It also has a large tail that can double as a pillow. This fox plush toy is a perfect combination of comfort and fun, and is sure to bring joy and growth to your infant.

Fox Stuffed Animal

A Set of Knitted Stuffed Animals

This set of knitted plush toys is made from pure cotton and is very soft and cozy. They come in four different animal figures, each with its own character and charm. The rhinoceros is blue and has a hard horn that looks strong and brave. The frog is green and has a big smile that looks lively and cute. The giraffe is yellow with brown spots and looks elegant and noble. The fox is orange with round eyes and looks witty and smart. This knitted plush toy set is an interactive and educational way for children to learn about different animals while playing with them.

Set of Knitted Stuffed Animals

A Guide for Parents

When choosing a stuffed animal for a baby, there are several factors to consider.

Quality

The quality of stuffed toys depends on the materials, craft, and durability. When it comes to choosing toys, you want to ensure they’re made from materials that are built to last. That means looking for durable toys that won’t fade, lose parts, or break easily.

For example, a knitted plush lion that I gifted to my two-year-old niece. Made from high-quality cotton, it was soft and comfortable and maintained its original shape and color after many washes and falls. You want a toy that brings comfort and warmth to your child while saving you money.  Quality is paramount when it comes to selecting toys for your child, and Pudgy Penguins truly exemplify excellence in craftsmanship. These charming plush toys are crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring a soft and comfortable feel that stands the test of time.

Safety

Ensuring the safety of stuffed toys is of utmost importance. We must ensure that these toys do not have any harmful chemicals, sharp edges, small parts, batteries, or wires that could cause any harm or danger to our babies. We can opt for toys that are colored with non-toxic natural dyes, which pose no risk of irritation or allergy. Additionally, we should always check for any loose or detached parts to prevent the child from swallowing or choking.

Creativity

The creativity of a toy refers to its unique design, style, theme, and other features that make it stand out. We aim to provide toys that grab children’s attention and inspire their imagination and creativity. For instance, we could offer rainbow-colored and bright toys for older babies, while black and white ones are available for smaller babies. Such toys can help babies understand and appreciate colors and shapes.

Educational and Fun: The educational aspect of toys refers to whether or not the toy can assist in a child’s learning process, including acquiring knowledge, developing skills, and instilling values. Ideally, toys should help improve a child’s cognitive, language, and social-emotional abilities. For instance, various animal plush toys can be used by parents to narrate stories about the lives and adventures of animals in African grasslands, thereby enabling children to learn about different geographies and cultures. Such toys expand babies’ knowledge and horizons and stimulate their curiosity and desire to explore.

Summary

Stuffed animals are the best childhood companions for babies. The author of this post recommends ten of the best high-quality plush toys for babies, which are reliable in terms of quality, safety and make your child cuddle peacefully at bedtime. It’s important to note that not all ages of babies are suitable for sleeping with stuffed animals. Of course, there are more stuffed animals for babies than the 10 in this post.

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How Parents Can Take Part in Their Child’s Eco-Education

How Parents Can Take Part in Their Child’s Eco-Education

Seeing the need of the hour, the United Nations (UN) made a universal call to transform the world in the form of 17 sustainable development goals. This 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to protect the earth and its inhabitants.

The current situation is still dire. Scientists and environmentalists believe that our precious world is “quite sick” due to ecological pollution. It has entered the danger zone, pushing past seven out of eight scientifically established limits of safety.

The massive shift from an agrarian to a manufacturing economy during the Great Industrial Revolution has impacted the environment. With climate change being a heated topic, every citizen must join hands to reverse the problem.

This includes children, as Harvard University explicitly conveys through its ‘Children are Citizens’ project. However, we need to make environmental concerns relatable to them.

It is not enough that your child learns about environmental issues in their eco-education classroom. They need to engage in real-world participation through their parents. Generally, a child is an observational learner, picking up behaviors through imitation. Since parents spend more time with their kids than other adults, they can directly influence them toward a greener future.

This article will discuss five important reflexes to inculcate in your child so they become an ecologically responsible citizen.

The Daily Economic Reflex: Saving Electricity and Water

According to the US Energy Information Administration, fossil fuel accounts for the largest energy generation source (60.2%). At this rate, the day is not far when our non-renewable energy sources will run out.

What’s even worse is that the US also leads in energy wastage (with electricity wastage being the second leading cause). In an age of heavy tech use, it’s vital to teach your child to conserve electricity (beyond switching off the lights).

You can start by cutting down your own screen time and engaging in fun board games. Teach your child why you choose to do so and encourage them to follow suit. Also, instruct them to unplug a device once completely charged.

You can even turn it into a fun game – ask your kids to compete against each other for the shortest screen time. The same goes for water conservation – who takes the least time to shower? Additionally, let them know the importance of watering plants with water left from washing vegetables, not letting the tap run as they brush their teeth, and so on.

The Must-Have Reflex: Reducing Waste

The three Rs of saving the planet may have become cliché, but they’ll never lose their relevance. The process of ‘Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle’ begins with minimizing waste. It is the easiest to do as there’s no need to reuse or recycle what you reduce.

Let’s use a different take to understand the waste generation scenario of the US. Statista revealed that the US waste management and remediation services market had a net worth of $140 billion in 2022. That is almost double the figures of 2010 ($78.82 billion).

This alone should give you an idea of how urgent the need for waste reduction is. But how can you teach this to your kids? Definitely not through statistics! You can start by letting them see the mountain of trash in a local landfill. As repulsive as that sounds, a strong mental image is a good motivator.

Moreover, let your kids accompany you for grocery shopping to teach them about intentional purchases. This includes preparing a grocery list and sticking to it. Choose fruits and vegetables in reusable bags rather than those available in plastic boxes. Additionally, take the opportunity to educate your children about environmental sustainability by discussing topics such as what is fast fashion and its impact on the planet.

If you’re tempted to buy something impulsively, resist the urge and let your kids know why you won’t need it.

The Solidarity Reflex: Donating Items 

The next on the environmental Rs hierarchy is reusing waste materials. This is a method of keeping waste from ending up in landfills. Reuse works best for items with great longevity and a slow decomposition rate.

The first thing that probably comes to mind is plastic. Does your child already own plastic dolls or other toys they’re bored of? Encourage them to donate unused ones to a local charity. Teach them how so many children are not as privileged as they are. Then, you can introduce them to the world of all-natural dolls and toys.

These include soft toys filled with organic hemp or cotton, bamboo or wooden kitchen sets, wooden cars and animals, etc. The same goes for clothes, as textile production is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions.

If possible, invest in natural fibers like linen and cotton (while teaching your child why). If you have children only one or two years apart, let the garments go down the pipeline. If a child complains that they’re bored with a piece or there are visible spills and stains, sustainably upcycle it.

Some examples include tie-dye, adding or removing sleeves, patchwork, etc. Get your kids involved in the fun process!

The Eco-Conscious Reflex: Recycling What’s Recyclable

Despite reducing and reusing waste, there are times when you must resort to recycling. Providing your child with whatever they want, whenever they want, gives them the impression that resources are limitless.

Making recycling info for children available in relatable ways will help them lead conscientious lives. Start with something simple, say, waste cans or plastic bottles. Gather your kids and engage in a fun DIY project where you convert the waste into beautiful planters.

This will help them realize the multi-purpose of any object and awaken their inner crafters. Other examples of recycled projects include egg carton flowers, a recycled robot, tin can wind chimes, cardboard box organizers, etc.

Install different trash cans in your home for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. This will spark your child’s curiosity to learn more about each. If you want, invite your kids to help decorate each bin to segregate the waste.

Follow in the footsteps of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pack your kids a waste-free lunch. You can also take them on a recycling scavenger hunt where they find items to turn into glamorous art projects. Have competitive children? Make this hunt a race!

The Green Reflex: Loving and Respecting Nature

Teach children to love and respect nature.

It’s challenging to raise an eco-conscious child if they have little respect for nature. Creation, in all its glory, is healing to the body and mind. This is why it’s vital to let your kids play in the outdoors daily.

Not just play, allow them to hold the soil in their hands and feel its texture. Also, let them enjoy a few splashes in muddy waters. If they loved playing with leaves and flowers, let them bring home a few to play with later.

Teach kids that everything is connected.  The use of non-toxic products in the home greatly protects the environment outside, from time any product is created and manufactured in a production plant, to when they are disposed of down the sink or toilet drain, or into a landfill.

Sadly, an entire generation is apathetic or worse yet, scared of nature. There was a time when kids enjoyed holding bugs in their hands and chasing after butterflies. But all of this seems to be lost now. Repeated exposure to trees, blades of grass, insects, and farm animals will instill a deep sense of reverence for creation.

Furthermore, you can install a bird feeder on one of the trees in the backyard (preferably made using “waste” materials). Plant an herb or vegetable garden, and let your children take part in the process. Watching life grow from tiny seeds is nothing short of a life-altering experience.

On lazy days, just spend time on the patio gazing together at the sunset or watching birds chirp. This is sure to raise some curious questions from your little ones. The more you make nature a part of their childhood, the more they will love and revere it as adults.

A Final Word

Besides the reflexes mentioned above, you must also infuse the healthy reflex into your children. This includes choosing seasonal and organic produce as well as traveling smart. For instance – lead by example and make intentional statements while eating. It could be as simple as, “These strawberries are sweet, delicious, and good for the immune system.”

Help them understand nutrient labels, read books on healthy eating, and have fun with food by introducing healthy rainbow recipes. As for traveling, choose to walk or bicycle wherever possible and explain to your kids the reason behind this choice.

Allow them to accompany you to a run in the woods for exercise and forest bathing. Do not worry about the fact that they’re children. Every child is capable of making healthy and sustainable choices when given the right example.

Reverse socialization, where children help parents to make sustainable choices, is also a real phenomenon. Raise them right, and you don’t have to worry about them going wrong!

Additional Reading:

Learn whether or not you can recycle or repurpose a mattress.
Discover fun and educational ways to celebrate earth-day.

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