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#MySocialSpirit – 5 Ways to Be an Environmentally Friendly Family

August 27, 2018 by Rosie Leave a Comment

Have you and your family found your social spirit? Have you realised the positive impact that YOU and your family can have on the environment?

Photo by Forest Simon on Unsplash

Recently, I’ve been thinking about how we can be more environmentally friendly as a family.

Over the summer my son went to a book sale and came back with a book called ‘How Green Are You?’ I couldn’t believe it, as I had the exact same book when I was little! I loved that book to pieces! It really inspired me to take an interest in wildlife and being more green.

I felt a little depressed looking at it almost 20 years later though. It can feel like there is still so much to be done with the environment. BUT – then we started reading the book. I realised that when we are inspired as an individual to take action, then we CAN make a difference.

We have a community litter picking group in our area. Everyone can do their little bit to join in. With the efforts of everyone combined, people can see the positive effects of a clean environment for themselves.

One person may not be able to change the world. But one person as part of a wider community, all doing their bit, really CAN!

#MySocialSpirit

#MySocialSpirit is a campaign from https://uk.glasdon.com to help everyone, whatever your age, find simple ways to be more environmentally friendly.

Every individual is encouraged to look at their own ‘Social Spirit’ and understand how our impact can cause a negative or positive effect on the environment. There is a full e-book on the #MySocialSpirit campaign that you can go ahead and download.

Find the things you CAN do and that you can help your children to do. Together we can make a difference!

Here are 5 simple ways to encourage everyone in your family be more environmentally friendly.

Photo by Pawe? Czerwi?ski on Unsplash

1. Be an Environmental Role Model

Children love to copy, as you’ve probably discovered! Start by trying to be the best environmental role model you can be and your children will follow your lead. Make recycling part of day to day life – sort waste into different containers, at home and out and about. Avoid buying single use plastics, and try to reuse containers.

Take an interest in environmental issues. Think about things you are interested in and it will make it easier to consider what you can do to help. I am interested in the oceans and like to find out more about how to help them. You could also see if there is a litter picking group, or beach clean up event in your area.

2. Give Children Little Responsibilities

Even very young children can be given little responsibilities. To start with children may not realise why they are sorting the recycling into different bins. You can make it into a game! But as children get older they will gradually become more socially aware and responsible. Plus recycling will become an easy habit!

3. Turn off the Lights

Turn off the lights and switches when you leave a room. So simple! Encourage everyone in the family to do the same. You could keep a little tally chart or marble jar each, to count how many times the switches have been turned off. This is a great way to see the impact of each individual in the family too!

4. Pack Lunch and Snacks in Reusable Containers

This is such an easy way to reduce overall waste! Use reusable containers for sandwiches, instead of plastic wrap. Also use containers for fruit, cheese, crackers – whatever you can! Replace disposable coffee cups with reusable cups.

5. Reuse Shopping Bags

Most shops have made this change easy, as there is now a charge for shopping bags. It’s still easy to forget though, so keep some reusable shopping bags by the door and in the car. You’ll save on plastic use and save yourself paying for unnecessary bags too!

With a few simple changes we can all find our social spirit and become part of more environmentally friendly families and communities.

What simple changes are you going to make to be more environmentally friendly?

Join in the conversation at the hashtag #MySocialSpirit across social media.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

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Hi, I’m Rosie!

Lover of tea on the beach and avid recycler!

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Sweet and simple ideas to inspire kids. 👩‍🎨
Art | Crafts | Nature
Lover of tea on the beach and avid recycler! 🐚🐠🐳 ❤️

Rosie
Don’t you just love when a crafty project double Don’t you just love when a crafty project doubles as something useful??
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You can turn this easy Christmas tree stencil idea into simple gift wrap! 
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Get your children printing and decorating Christmas trees on a sheet of parcel paper. You’ll keep them busy and creative, then can wrap gifts for the grandparents or friends in the paper! 
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This year, more than ever, people will really appreciate the small, personal things that you do for them. Things that are made, thought about and given with love. ❤️ Have a think about how you can make someone feel special this year. The simple ideas are always the best!
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Are you planning to add a personal touch to gifts and cards this year? Have you made gift wrap with your children before?
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Joining in with @makemerryandcreate @littlelion_mom @playwithmamma and #makeyourchristmascrafts
Wow, it’s been a while! I took a bit of a soci Wow, it’s been a while! 

I took a bit of a social media break, as life took over. As it does from time to time. So taking the time to say hello to you all again.👋 

I’m Rosie and I love to share simple ideas to inspire kids to get arty, crafty and creative. 🎨 

I also 💚the outdoors and try to share this love of nature in many of my projects. 🌲 

This is me and my crew, back in October on my 40th birthday! A beautiful beachy day. 🏝 

Since then we’ve bought a house, moved and had one kiddo in isolation for 14 days 🤪- hence the radio silence. 

A break has helped me ditch the overwhelm and simplify my priorities. But now, I’m so ready to start getting creative again and bring on all the festive vibes! 🎄

When life gets overwhelming, don’t be afraid to step back and focus only on the things that are important. Take a breath, get outdoors and then reprioritise, one step at a time. ❤️

How are you doing with lockdowns, winter and festive preparation? What helps you step back and reprioritise?
What is your lasting memory of this past few month What is your lasting memory of this past few months with your kids?

For me it’s been bike rides and making things together. 🖍 ✂️ 
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Funny how our minds gloss over the stresses of home school and lack of ‘me time’ 🤣
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I’ve not been on social media much lately - I’ve been making the most of the end of summer, adjusting to the ‘new normal’ and figuring out what is next for me now that my littlest has started school. 😊
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One thing I am doing is starting to sort through the pile of creations 🖼 (and clutter too!) in the house. It’s reminding me of all the lovely things we have done together (even when mum guilt sometimes tells me otherwise) and helping to clear my mind too. ❤️
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If you’re feeling a little lost at the moment I can recommend a good sort out as a starting point! @whatkatysaiduk is a wonderful inspiration on decluttering. 🥰
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Are your children back at school, or are you still in the thick of homeschool? 
Anyone else swamped with projects from this year?! I’d love any ideas on how you like to organise art work!
(Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family (Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family?
We had a roarr-some time at @roarr_dinosauradventure in Norfolk last weekend.
With dinosaur trails, a splash zone, Jurassic putt and much more we all had an amazing family day. I was really impressed with the social distancing and safety measures in place too. Full review to follow soon!
Have you been on any fun family days out recently?
Is home school still happening in your family?! Af Is home school still happening in your family?! After 12 weeks of lockdown we’ve ditched ‘home school’ for ‘life school.’ So far the kids have made and decorated their own cakes, helped do laundry, vacuum and mop. 🧼 Plus lots of free play, projects and learning about topics they are interested in - mainly dinosaurs! 🦖 🦕 
I feel so much more relaxed for letting go of formal work! (Let’s face it there wasn’t much of it happening anyway...😬) But I was still pressuring myself mentally and it was starting to create power struggles (with my eldest very spirited child!) When you start doing things that you and the children are motivated to do it takes the pressure off everyone. And the miracle is that’s when the real learning happens! 🌟 
My son has even written about his fossil collection - a change from tearing my hair out to get him to write! The kids have played more independently too, as I’ve ‘left them to it’ more. Plus - the house is even starting to look just a little bit cleaner! 🧹

So if home school is just not happening anymore, I’d recommend doing an Elsa and just ‘Let it Goooo’. Swap it for ‘life school’ and I guarantee the kids will be learning equally valuable lessons. 💡Just do what works for your family. ❤️ Are you still home schooling? Do you feel like you’re trying to ‘do it all’? Or have you embraced a more flexible approach?

I’d love to hear any ideas you have that we could try? My kids love dinosaurs and creative things. Plus I’m trying to encourage independent playing and helping in the house, so all ideas welcome! 💡
Sleeping with her babies. 👶🏻👶🏾❤️
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I’ve been listening to black voices over the last few days. Thinking about the BLM movement and ways I can do more. I wasn’t sure whether to share, but I’ve learned it’s better to speak than to say nothing.
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I’ve always thought of myself as someone who embraces diversity. I’ve travelled, met and befriended people of all colours, nationalities and religions. As a teacher I’ve valued each child’s individuality, as well as seeing them all as equals. I try to encourage my children to be kind to all others.
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But I realise this is NOT enough. I need to do more. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last week it’s that - we have to take ACTION against racism. It’s not enough to just ‘not be racist’, we have to be ANTI racist to make a change.
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So what action do I commit to do?
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•Listen - keep listening to black people’s stories and struggles.
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•Educate - myself and my children further. Read books that spark CONVERSATIONS with my children and others. Keep learning and keep trying to do better.
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•Amplify - promote black voices, especially those in the fields of education and children.
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If you’re a mama or a teacher and wondering how you can take ACTION against racism, I’d really recommend taking a look at @readlikearockstar and @apron_education - they have some brilliant resources to share with your kids. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do you talk about racism with your kids? How are you taking action against racism?
#blackouttuesday #iamlistening #blackouttuesday #iamlistening
Do your children ever say that they are 'bored'? 😑 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Children are the masters of their own creativity. 🖼 Given the time and space, children will think of ideas that will never fail to surprise you!
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But sometimes we all have moments when we're at a loose end - children included. A little inspiration can go a long way. 💡 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Try putting some ideas for play and projects into a jar or box, ready for when inspiration is needed. 📦 You could include some of your ideas and some of your children's ideas. 👶 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To start you off I have a FREE PRINTABLE with 40 simple ideas to inspire your children’s creativity! Grab your printable from my bio - print and cut! You're ready for when boredom strikes! 🙌 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do your children ever get bored? How do you try to inspire them?
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