Top Ten New Year's Resolutions for Environmentally Conscious Parents

The environment is one of the top concerns of many people today. It should be a top concern for parents especially. Taking care of the environment means taking care of the world that our children and grandchildren will be living in. Here are ten suggested resolutions for parents who care about the environment.

1. If you have a baby, use cloth diapers. Cloth diapers are re-usable and don't end up in landfills. Cloth diapers are also free of the chemicals contained in disposable diapers. Finally, cloth diapers will save you money, since you only have to buy them once!

2. Walk. Walk, walk, walk. Or ride your bikes. If you don't have to get in the car, just don't do it. It's good for the environment and good for your bodies; too many kids and adults are not getting enough exercise any more.

3. If you have two or more cars, get rid of one. This goes along with the walking -- you'll be less likely to jump in a car to go somewhere if you only have one. Fewer cars on the road means fewer emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Less driving means less use of fossil fuels.

4. Dress for the weather, even indoors. If everyone in your household dresses warmly in winter, you should be able to keep your thermostat lower. Set the thermostat for 68 degrees (recommended by most utility companies) or even lower, and put on a sweater. If you live in a colder climate, put the kids in long underwear to keep them warm.

5. Spend more time outdoors. If you're all outside, you don't need to heat or cool your home. Turn the thermostat down (or up, as the case may be) when you leave the house. Get more of that exercise you're all needing! Also, you can expose your family to the natural world, teaching them to value and take care of it.

6. Increase your recycling. Pick one item you're not currently recycling, like steel cans (the ones your food comes in) or glass jars. Get the kids to help prepare things for recycling -- they can wash cans, peel labels, smash them flat, etc., and have a great time doing it.

7. Eat in. Yes, eating at home is better for the environment. You won't be using your car to go out to eat. You won't be idling in a drive-through. You can choose your ingredients -- go for fresh, locally grown items. You can choose foods that are healthy and enjoyable, and enjoy being together to eat them.

8. Buy less. Buying a lot of new items uses up the earth's resources, as well as creating more waste through packaging and discarded items. Shop more at thrift stores and consignment stores. Give each other gifts of time and activities instead of gifts of stuff. Kids might enjoy a membership to the science center, tickets to a play or concert, or a gift certificate for classes at the community center.

9. Grow a vegetable garden. Produce your own food, teaching your kids how plants work and how to be self-sufficient.

10. Use green cleaning products. You can buy pre-formulated natural cleaning products at many mainstream grocery stores now, but you can also make your own using household items like vinegar and baking soda. I use a solution of one-half distilled water and one-half white vinegar, with 20 drops of tea tree oil and 20 drops of lavender essential oil.

Whatever you do, remember that as a parent, you are leading by example. If you don't do it, neither will they.