Simple Things We Can Do to Protect the Future of Our Children
As parents, everything we do is centred on our children. From the foods they eat to the clothes they wear and everything in between, that is the primary focus of our days. However, they won’t always be children and we won’t always be there. This is why it is so important to start thinking about what we can do, as parents, to protect their future. Some of what we can do may be easy and others may take time and a few tough lessons in life, but we can work toward a better tomorrow for our children and all children on the planet. Here is some of what we can do.
Teach Them the Three Rs of Sustainability
If there is one thing that has been drummed into our heads as adults, it would be the need for sustainability in our lives. This can be taught to our children beginning with the 3 Rs of sustainability which are Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. We are plundering our natural resources and although that may be a bit incomprehensible to younger children, we can begin teaching them the importance of not wasting that which we’ve taken.
You probably remember your parents telling you that old proverb, “Waste not, want not.” Unfortunately, that’s as far as it got with sustainability. You were taught that wasting meant that there would be less tomorrow and that some children would love to have that half a candy bar they just tossed in the bin. No, guilt doesn’t work, but the message is there.
We can begin working with our children at a very young age to reuse whatever they can. Instead of packing a lunch in a brown bag, we can show them how packing a lunchbox saves the trees. When it comes to recycling, that actually can be fun for kids. Keep separate bins for glass, plastic, and papers. Let them put the recyclables into the designated recycling bin and take them along with you to the recycling centre. This is actually an activity that kids love
Lessons in Biodiversity
Taking sustainability a bit further, you might begin giving them lessons in biodiversity. Since the UK passed the Environment Act of 2021, this will be something that even schools begin addressing in the very near future, if they are not doing so already.
As an adult you understand that any land development must ensure a biodiversity net gain of at least 10%. You know that builders need to have a biodiversity net gain plan in order to get planning permissions and even people who want to construct a self-build home will need to show that they are leaving the land 10% better in terms of biodiversity. According to the Environment Act, all planning permissions will be subject to surveys made by experts such as those conducted by Arbtech Consulting. With consultants throughout all of the UK, each area is represented by a consultant familiar with the local planning board and their requirements as well.
If you want to teach your children about biodiversity, there are a number of online resources such as this video produced specifically with children in mind. If we want them to have the benefit of all the earth’s amazing resources as we go forward in time, this is an important lesson.
On Being Accountable
One of the worst things we can do as parents is to excuse unacceptable behaviour in our children. So many times, kids will get in some sort of trouble in school or when playing out with other kids and we come to their rescue instead of letting them face those early consequences for their behaviour.
No one likes to see their children suffer shame or embarrassment but isn’t that better than teaching them it is okay to flout the rules? Rules are there for a reason and if no one obeyed them we would be living in mass chaos.
Later in life they will face even more severe consequences if they’ve been brought up to think that rules are meant to be broken. If you want to protect the future for your children, you will help them to understand that they have a part to play as well. What they do can impact the rest of their tomorrows, so teach them to act with respect and obedience to rules that are in place for the benefit of all.
The Wise Use of Money and Resources
The concept of giving our kids an allowance was meant as a reward system for appropriate behaviour. It was meant to reward them for doing their chores as well as doing well in school. This system has degenerated to such an extent that some children now feel as if this is their right, just because they are your children.
It’s not a good life lesson to teach them because what would your boss do if you showed up to work one day and did nothing expecting to be paid just for being there. That is the mindset of many of today’s youth and the reason why there is a generation of entitled young people.
Everyone has a right to the necessities of life but if no one worked to produce them, there would soon be no food, no clothing, no shelter, etc. If you take the time to browse the internet you will see that this is something that is worrying societies around the globe. It is not something limited to the UK or the United States, or Europe even. It is a global concern and one that can be rectified.
Your Part in Your Children’s Future
The key takeaway in all this is that we, as parents, play a huge part in the future of our children. We may not be here for them tomorrow, but we can prepare them today for what they will face at some future time.
From helping them understand that the earth is a biosphere with many lifeforms that require specific environments to thrive to teaching them the necessity of following rules meant for the benefit of all, we have an important role to play. What we do as parents today can help protect the future for them. Give them the tools they need, and they will be able to face whatever life throws in their path. That should be our driving ambition.
