Being a mother is, without a doubt, the world’s most demanding and challenging job, but it’s also the most rewarding. One of the things we all aim to do as mothers is to leave the world a better place for our children than the way we found it.
This is achievable in many ways through teaching our children kindness, compassion, healthy habits, and more.
Another area of our lives we can improve on to leave the world better for our little ones is living a more sustainable lifestyle.
By practicing motherhood as sustainably as possible, we will pass down habits that will impact not only our children but generations to come. We all know the world is facing a climate crisis, so if we can run our families and households in a way that makes things better, why not?
Let’s look at ways we can live more sustainably for ourselves and our children.
Begin With the Basics
One of the easiest ways to make your home more sustainable is, to begin with, the basics – like what you clean with. By choosing products like reusable cleaning cloths, bamboo paper products, and more, you can have an immediate impact on the world around you.
Opting for more earth-friendly cleaners is another area to make a change. You may be put off by the price tag of some of these products, but you can also make your own for a lot less than even conventional non-sustainable brands.
Vinegar makes a great glass cleaner and other areas of your home. Baking soda too! And there are plenty of Castille soaps that can be used everywhere, from laundry to deep cleaning your home.
What the Family Wears
We all know that the years fly quickly, and our children grow like weeds. If you have more than one child, you’re probably well versed in the beauty of hand-me-down clothing, but even beyond reusing, there are other ways to be more sustainable with what your family wears.
By opting not to purchase fast fashion for yourself or your kids, you’ll make a significant impact on not only the climate but the humanitarian crisis many of those workers face.
Additionally, try to purchase second-hand clothing when you can when you shop. When shopping for new clothing, opt for sustainable textiles like cotton, linen, and silk. Sure, the silk is for you, not the kiddos, but natural fibers are the way to go.
Check Your Toy Chest
Nowadays, most children have more toys than fit only in a chest, but you get the picture. Check out the toys your children play with; most of them are probably made of plastic and fall apart quickly.
It’s easier to purchase sustainable wooden toys for babies and toddlers, but as your kids grow older, they’re more susceptible to advertising and ask for less sustainable toys. As often as we say no, sometimes we do say yes – but try to purchase toys from second-hand stores before going out and buying brand new ones.
Try Minimalism
Another way to make sure you’re living as sustainably as possible is to reduce what you own and how much you consume in the first place. Some mothers feel minimalism would be impossible with children, but it’s not the case.
Get your kids in on the action of decluttering with you – you’d be surprised how eager they are to help other children in need by donating their toys to charities that could use them. You can also make some serious cash in the process of decluttering your home.
Not only does minimalism benefit you and your family in the ways mentioned above, but it also teaches your children gratitude and respect for the items they do own.
When you look around at all your belongings, including theirs, you likely all use the same things repeatedly as others collect dust. Turn that clutter into cash and shop more intentionally moving forward.
You’ve no doubt got a lot on your plate, and the idea of switching up your lifestyle to live more sustainably might feel overwhelming, but if you take things one step and one day at a time, it’s a lot more achievable and sustainable (pun intended).
So, here’s to a brighter future for you and your children through living a more mindful, sustainable lifestyle!
