It’s a tough call because the things that make you a green parent are debatable. For instance are you greener if you use cloth diapers but fail to recycle, or are you greener if you recycle, grow and hand make your own organic baby food, plus buy only natural toys BUT you use disposable diapers? Which parent is greener?

What do I think defines green parenting?:

I think there are some key elements to green parenting such as…

1. Being hands on and encouraging your littles to love nature. If you’re not getting your kids outside and teaching them about the planet you’d like them to conserve, the lesson is screwy, don’t you think?
2. Making choices by weighing the risks of your actions – i.e. is it better to buy a set of plastic Legos (affordable) and be able to afford organic milk or is it more important to buy an all natural, toxic-free toy (not always affordable) and skip the organic milk? I side with the organic milk on this one. I can’t always control what my son plays with, but he’s past the age of putting Legos into his mouth while milk does go into his mouth daily and non-organic could affect his health.
3. Doing the basics – I do think that green parenting at the very least means encouraging recycling, making green cleaning choices, and doing away with disposables when possible. For example, we’ve never had paper napkins in our house, and I’m hoping my son will grow up and continue to use cloth napkins – small choices add up. The above (green cleaning, recycling, and knocking disposables) are easy things that any parent can try.
4. Talking about why we make the choices we do. My son, at age eight years, can tell you all about pollution, recycling, organic foods, tree planting and more. Yeah, he tells it in his own words but he gets it to a level that an eight year old can get it. Talking about green living is maybe one of the most important parts of being a green parent in my opinion.

I can think of other things, but the above make the most sense to me. Green choices are tough. Parenting is tougher. Add them together and it’s a lot to deal with which is why I advocate small steps here at THF. Of course I also encourage large steps, but I think if you do what you can it’s an awesome start. Maybe later I’ll gather up a list of green parenting steps – from small to large.

What do you think? What defines green parenting in your opinion?

[image via me - my son Cedar on a hike]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

He looks a tad concerned in this one — maybe camera shy?

And now he’s got his fishing game on…

Here he really looks happy to be in the great outdoors. He probably gets it from his mama who says, “At 8 months pregnant, I still hiked up to the waterfalls in the mountains in Central WY. Talk about an adventure!!!” Now that is true tree hugging style.

I love this last one.

A big old thanks to Mysti and all the other families who have sent their tree hugging family photos in. It’s great to see so many happy healthy kids enjoying the great outdoors.

If you want to see your family here at Tree Hugging Family send your photos in; you can snag my email by clicking on the “contact me” link to the side. We’d all love to see your family in nature.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Anyhow this post’s title is a bit tricky because I do tend to think all little tree hugging kids are adorable… Still, these pictures are extra adorable. The talented Kate from a favorite b5 blog of mine; Babylune sent these “meadow cuddling” shots to me.

This is a picture of Kate’s little one, BJ, (5 years now), doing some yoga!

Then we have MC, age 1, examining a flower. This may be one of the cutest kid pictures I have ever seen.

These pictures bring up a good idea of how to get great children photos — take them outside and find the brightest green landscape possible and shoot away. Just beautiful!

Many thanks to Kate and her family for sharing their tree; um, meadow hugging kid photos. 

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

I love this picture. One, her kids are adorable playing near the lake, (pond?), river (much like the turtles but, you know, more human-like and less brownish) and two, it’s always great to see families outside in the great outdoors. I also really enjoy the look her son is giving her at the moment. Classic kid camera face.

Hilary writes green-style for b5media as well. She has a great blog called Eco Friendly Driver that covers all green things that go. Hey, that would be a good Dr Seuss book — “All Green Things That Go.” Maybe. Anyhow Hilary is a great writer and her blog is packed with tips and information about electric cars, money issues to consider, new hybrids, ethanol, and other way to drive greener, smarter, and better. Visit today.

Why not introduce your family here at Tree Hugging Family? Even send pictures like Hilary. I’d love to see them.

Lastly don’t forget to grab the kiddos and stop by last week’s Nature Detective game; a new one goes up tomorrow.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family