My favorite time of the day actually isn’t a time of the day at all; it’s normally around 8:30 in the evening when I’m tucking my 6-year old and 2 ½-year old into their respective beds. No, it’s not because I’m snuggling them away for the night so I can get an undisturbed moment to read a book without pictures, or watch something on television that does not broadcast from the Disney Channel; though I must admit, it is prime time for sneaking a left-over M & M or two after I’ve cut the boys off from anything sugar-laced a few hours prior. Their bedtime is my favorite time of the day because as part of the nightly tuck-in tradition, we end by saying our prayers. Just last week during one of my eldest’s nightly chats with God, he pulled a string in my heart and brought a realization to my head.
As a parent, I have found it so easy to get caught up in trying to make the “big” moments happen for my kids. Trips to Disney World, elaborate birthday parties, the Christmas visit (in matching yuletide outfits) to meet Santa which has, according to the look frozen in a photo on my youngest boy’s face, scarred him for life; all of these are fine and fun, but what do our children really value? I’ve learned through those beautifully earnest prayers that my little guy thanks God for the times we’ve planted flowers together and made an art project out of an old Pringles can before he ever mentions any of the “big” moments.
So, I’ve made a deliberate decision to continue the old, and add some new traditions that I think my children will find even more meaningful than any trip or toy we could make available to them. Additionally, I’ve decided to incorporate learning values into those traditions for good measure. Of course, one value near and dear to my heart is taking care of our environment; the following are some ways I plan to regularly spend more quality-time with my children in some fun, Eco-friendly activities and projects:
Environmentally-Friendly Crafting
It is amazing what once was garbage can be recycled into the most exciting art project. Sunday’s paper makes a wonderful foundation for a paper mache hot air balloon, milk jugs are perfect for recycling into bird feeders, and there is no end to the possibilities of a cardboard box. My kids love and look forward to crafting afternoons, and undoubtedly there is always something in our recycling bin I can salvage into an art project! Check out http://www.kinderart.com/recycle/ for some wonderful art from recycled materials ideas!
Take a Bike, or a Hike!
During beautiful Spring and Fall weekends, trade the gas guzzler for a pair of spoked wheels or sneakers and get moving with your kids (or spouse) to a nearby store, restaurant, or park. You’ll reduce your carbon footprint and burn some calories…why not follow it up with sharing a big ice cream sundae together after the bike ride or walk; that’s one tradition not many would pass on!
Pick it Up
This one we already do, and it’s a huge hit for my kids. Twice a year, during Spring and Fall, the Keep Faulkner County Beautiful Committee organizes cleanups throughout Faulkner County. Since my boys were babies I have taken them to a local cleanup event to participate in some way. They love to help make our city cleaner, and through their involvement have become quite the “litter police” pointing out trash they spot along the roadside or in other public areas. I feel quite certain when they are 16 and (I shudder to think) driving places without me, one thing they will not do is throw litter from their windows.
Read “Green” Together
This is a current practice in our house as well. My kids love books, an affection they received honestly from their Mother. I have scouted around and stumbled upon some terrific books geared for little ones which teach sound principles of conservation, litter abatement, and waste management. Books such as Don Madden’s Wartville Wizard, Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, and Isaac Asimov’s, Where Does Garbage Go? are all excellent reads to snuggle up and share with your children during a quiet and rainy afternoon.
Hopefully some of these ideas may trigger a tradition of your own to try, or even excite you to give one or two of the listed ones a whirl with your own precious children. I firmly believe, as most any Mom, that our little ones are truly walking breathing masterpieces of God; I can only imagine how He would delight to see family traditions based on teaching principles of Environmental Stewardship to our children.
Be reminded as I am at the end of each day, that the little moments and traditions in life many times make the biggest of impressions to our children.