The Green Parent

What is your stance on Wal-Mart? To me, Wal-Mart represents all that is good and bad with the world. As a parent, I am easily lulled by the convenience of doing all of my shopping in one place and the ability to purchase products at “affordable” prices. However, any joy I may feel from the [...]

New parents are inundated with new decisions, often on topics that have never before crossed their minds; bottle or breast? paci or thumb? co-sleep or crib? Of these decisions, none is more vexing than diapers. It would seem from the great diaper debate that there is simply no eco-friendly way to diaper a child. Sure, [...]

As a parent, I knew that I did not want to raise my kids in a world full of toxins. And I wanted my kids to respect the planet and the other species that share it with us. But let’s face it, there are days when it is all I can do to keep my [...]

As a parent, I would love nothing more than a nice, long, hot shower if for no other reason than to take a break from doling out snacks, referring fights, and wiping up spills. Of course, I’m lucky if I can get 5 minutes to myself. But even 5 minutes is all it takes to [...]

Tired of paying an arm and a leg to fill your gas tank? Take these steps to save gas, money, and the planet. Go Slow: Stick to the speed limit and avoid excessive braking and accelerating. Pump It Up: Make sure your tires are properly inflated (underinflated tires reduce fuel economy). Clean It Out: If [...]

Recycling is a great idea, but when you’re pressed for time, it may seem just so much easier to toss things in the trash. Let’s face it, when you’re trying to clean up the dinner dishes, help your kids with their homework, and put up a load of laundry, it can be a real drag [...]

Get all of your green parenting questions answered in one easy-to-read, easy-to-use book! The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Earth-Friendly Living, gives parents all the info they need to go green while raising kids…from diapers to school fundraisers to green gift ideas, The Green Parent is an incredible source for any parent (or teacher, [...]

Bagging up leaves and other yard trimmings not only wastes your time and energy, it also puts a tremendous strain on the environment. Instead, try grasscycling. After you mow, leave the grass clippings on the lawn. They will naturally decompose into the soil, helping to hold in soil moisture, prevent freezing, and return nutrients to [...]

Lighting adds up to 15 percent of the total energy use in the average American home. So don’t overlook the obvious: turn off lights when you leave a room. Also, try using a lower wattage bulb or swapping out regular light bulbs for energy-saving, long-lasting compact fluorescents that can save energy and cash.

This is one of the simplest and most powerful things you can do to save energy around your house. In the winter, see if you and your family can still be comfortable with the thermostat set around 68 degrees. Turn it down even more when you go to sleep. During the summer months, bump up [...]

Even when appliances are off, they are still draining energy in “standby” mode. Use a power strip to turn off televisions, stereos, and computer systems when you are not using them and unplug appliances such as phone chargers, extra refrigerators, and printers until you need them.