SUSTAINABILITY
How To Put a Smile on Your Child’s Face (without the eco guilt) By Karen Maurice @N4Mummy
We all want to make our kids smile. And it doesn’t take much; a sweet at the school gate, a new toy or a packet of crisps. But it’s always bothered me that so many of the things my children love just aren’t that great for our world. Whether it’s the food wrapped in single-use plastic or a cheap toy that I know won’t last two seconds. And we’ve all been there when our children don’t get what they want and wished the ground would swallow us up whole. Which is why I’ve come up with a few simple eco swaps for the things my kids beg me for most. In the hope that those hideous tantrums can be avoided.
Find Second-hand plastic toys Wooden toys look good and are good for our environment. But give a child the choice and they’ll opt for the noise making, light flashing, brightly coloured plastic version. So, buy them second hand. Look for fun plastic toys in charity shops, on local facebook groups, at school fairs, or just ask a friend who has older children. It’ll be kinder on your wallet and the environment. This year for Christmas we bought a marble run for our son from the school fair for a mere £3 and it kept both kids entertained for hours. Most importantly, just avoid the toy aisle in the supermarket.
Invest in biodegradable glitter Glitter is usually made from plastic. Thousands of tiny bits that will not only stick in your carpet but will also be around for hundreds of years. So, invest in some biodegradable glitter. It is more expensive but, as you know, a little goes a long way. We got some this Christmas from the online eco-boutique Plastic Freedom and it’s been a real hit. My daughter finds any excuse to wear it, dressing up for the school disco or even to A&E when she broke her arm. It can be applied to the face with Aloe vera gel or used for crafts.
Revolutionize the after school snack Post nursery, my son greets me each day with “snack Mummy, snack.” And I either get a bright smile or epic tantrum depending on what I’ve brought. It’s easy for me to sit here and write that you should give your child a healthy snack that isn’t wrapped in single use plastic. But far harder to do this in reality. So, I’d encourage you to try giving them something like an apple or banana where nature has given its own packaging. But make sure you go to school with nothing else in your bag and a big dose of stubbornness on your part. After all, if they are truly hungry then they might just eat it.
Find alternative sweet treats Individually wrapped sweets aren’t great from a single use plastic perspective. But everyone loves a treat once in a while. So, find some simple biscuit or cake recipes to do that job. I’m not a baker, so I make easy things like shortbread, chocolate tiffin or crispy cakes. It’s a great activity to do with the kids. They love to get their hands messy and will always fight over who’s going to lick out the bowl.
Get back to nature And finally, I’ve noticed that my kids are happiest in the great outdoors. Some of our best family times together have been on walks in London. We love exploring Hampstead Heath, Alexandra Palace and many other big green spaces. For my children, the freedom to run wild, climb trees, make dens and get covered in mud just makes them smile. And the fresh air wears them out, so they sleep better which in turn makes us smile too.
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