I recently read an article on the importance of training your children on living green and there were opposing views that one should just let their children choose so that they truely value it later in life. Personally I think you must train a child and show them how to live green or else how will they know. Yes, they will always be able to choose as they grow up, but isn't that the job of a parent, to show and train your children in the way they should go. Yes, I pulled that last part straight out of the Bible, but it's quite simple, watch a young child very long and you'll know that you don't have to teach a child to be bad, it's just in them. But you MUST teach a child to be good and show them what is right. I believe this overflows into many other areas of their little lives.
So with that said, here are
10 things you can do as a family to train your children to go green!
1) Get green school supplies. Going back to school and going green can go hand in hand! Kids can get green school supplies that will make a big difference in price. Your green school supplies also provide an opportunity to share your thoughts on the environment with other students and teachers who notice that they are a little different.
*This could include reusing old supplies, using passed down supplies from others, using recylcled paper and pencils, etc.
2) Walk, carpool, or have them take the bus to school. Less carbon emissions and less smog comes from less burned fuel. We have to use gasoline to run most of today's cars - so, let's use as little of it as we can! When you share a ride with others, it means fewer people have to use gas, and when you walk or bike there is no fuel burned at all...except maybe your breakfast.
3) Teach them to turn off the water while showering and brushing teeth. Most people let the water run while soaping up or brushing, but that wastes water. Run the water to get your towel and body or toothbrush wet, and then wash or brush with the water off. It saves water AND time because you end up focusing on getting clean and getting out of there!
4) Start an organic garden at home or school and create compost for it. It's a large undertaking, but if you can get the teachers behind you, it's very likely that the principal will allow you to start an organic garden of some kind and a compost heap to fertilize it. Also a possible area of extra credit!
5) Turn off lights and appliances/electronics when not in use. Kids who aren't environmentally conscious don't usually think about turning off lights and appliances because kids in general aren't cost conscious. That means kids waste stuff. Kids who reduce, reuse, and recycle know that wastefulness is not good, and one thing they do not waste is energy. Although cleaner energy is becoming more common, no energy should be wasted. When you're not using lights or appliances/electronics (TV, computer, video games, etc.) TURN THEM OFF!
6) If parents recycle, allow the kids to sort. Going green is a lifestyle, so get in on the day-today activities by doing your part. Find out about recylcing centers that pay you to recycle!
7) Volunteer with community organizations that plant trees. Trees help us enjoy cleaner air and more beautiful landscapes. Find organizations where you live who plant trees, and then volunteer to help! The Arbor Day Foundation is a good place to start if you need help locating a group in your local area.
8) Hand-wash dishes or only run the dishwasher for full loads. Most people don't realize it, but dishwashers use considerably more water to wash a load of dishes than the traditional sink method does. A LOT MORE. So, to conserve water, it's best not to use the dishwasher at all. If you do, use eco-friendly dishwashing detergent and only run the washer when it is completely full. If it's not full or if you can, choose to wash dishes in the sink instead, of course, with eco-friendly dishwashing liquid.
9) Reduce waste by curbing use of disposables. It's easy to use throwaway cups, plates, wrappers, and utensils, but it only creates more waste for landfills. Also, disposable paper products like facial and bathroom tissue and paper towels and napkins also end up in the trash. We can save more trees by using less paper products, and we can keep more plastics and styrofoam out of the landfills by using less throwaway utensils and containers. Also, eating less often at fast-food restaurants cuts down on your useage of these items, too.
When you have to use them, use less. When you don't have to use them, DON'T.
10) Teach your children to ease up on the video games. Playing video cames on both computers and systems uses a LOT of energy! That's why your system or computer feels hot afterwards! They can save on energy by simply doing homework or going outside to play instead of posting up in front of the TV or computer screen. This activity uses more electricity than regular TV or computer useage, so it should be kept to a minimum
Did you know that new carpet can be one of the most toxic things put in your newly built or renovated home? Sadly, this truth is generally ignored (or even hidden) by the general public. 
Crazy, we know! Now the "new carpet" smell is making a little bit of sense. It also makes sense that you can get headaches, nausea, and even extreme physical reactions such as seizures from your new carpeting. Check the link below for a startling documentary on one little boy's severe reaction.
