Michelle Denholm of Harmonious Living has 10 simple yet life-changing ideas for how your family can enjoy time together while helping the planet.
I sometimes have fantasies about how simple life would be if we lived in a world like Little House on the Prairie. Wearing soft cotton nightgowns; running through the long, gently swaying grass of the prairie early in the morning to fill up my water pail; eating food that’s been completely homemade and from scratch. Oh, that’s right, they scrubbed their dirty clothes with lye soap with bare, chapped hands against washboards, then boiled them in a cauldron over an open flame to soak out the stains... Let’s just forget that bit, shall we?
I guess it’s the family values, quality of life, and the simplicity of living that I really covet. While our forebears still had taxes and mortgages, they didn’t have the temptation of rampant consumerism that we have today, and finance companies bombarding us with offers of quick cash. In those days, there was never a mention of global warming or environmental change. Is it possible that regressing to a simple life is the solution to saving our planet? And that quality family time will save the forests? Well, it may be a stretch, but here are 10 ideas that I think will help save our precious planet and also help you to have quality family time.
1. Hoof it
Pull out the pram and go for a walk with your child. Our Kiwi weather can be unpredictable at the best of times, but summer is upon us now. Seize the moment and take advantage of the sunshine. Walking to the shops, to playgroup, or to the library will save petrol, save money, burn calories and
give you and your little one a much-needed change of scenery. And the
sunlight will do you both good!
2. Ditch the TV
It’s amazing how much we use the TV to keep our little ones quiet or simply to zone out from the day. Turn it off and talk to your children without background noise or distraction. Play games or charades, cuddle on the sofa talking about your day, or read storybooks (they don’t have to be saved for bedtime). If your child is just a baby, then spend some time massaging him or her by candlelight. What a truly glorious way to bond with and appreciate your little miracle.
3. Be resourceful
If you, your partner, or a close friend works in an office, ask for the leftover
printer paper that is being discarded. Use this for
your children’s drawing
paper. Some local newspapers may have leftover unprinted newsprint to
give away or sell, and this is fantastic for making large-scale masterpieces
or murals.
4. Breastfeed
Breastfeeding is free! It’s nutritious and excellent for your baby. If you are able
to breastfeed, give it a go — it’ll save you over $2000 a year.
5. Make your own food from scratch
Now, before you exclaim, “Yeah, right. Who has the time for that?”, perhaps if
you turned the TV off you might have some more time? Your family’s health is too important to serve them up a constant stream of frozen meals and tinned goods. Young children love fresh vegetables boiled up and mashed with some milk and a little bit of butter. For dessert, try some stewed or fresh fruit. You will save money, eliminate packaging from store-bought products, and avoid those nasty additives and preservatives.
6. Buy secondhand
Recycling is not only about discarding appropriately, it’s also about extending the life of pre-loved items. Someone has cared enough about something for it to find its way into a secondhand boutique instead of a landfill, and now it awaits another owner who will love it just as much.
7. Encourage reading 
Utilise your local library. They have an abundance of books and children love
visiting. Remember, kids get excited over the simple things in life, and the library is a pretty exciting place, if you ask me! Children can choose any book they want (with your guidance, of course) and not be told it’s “too expensive”.
8. Grow your own
Gardening is an amazing way to channel frustrations and get in touch with being “real”. Introducing this ancient skill to your children at an early age will stand you, and them, in good stead for many years to come. Teach them how to sow a seedling, water and nurture it, and watch it grow. Set it up in a trough or pretty pot near the door so it’s easy for you both to check on the progress
of the plants.
9. Get Creative
90% of the families I have worked with have an overabundance of craft supplies. These are usually scattered all around the house, and Mum often buys more of the same stuff because she doesn’t realise she already has it. If this sounds like you, gather up all your art and craft supplies, sort like with like, discard (responsibly) the broken, and store the keepers in containers where you can easily access them. Oh, and stop buying what you already have plenty of.
10. Go organic
Children don’t need a lot of pretty-smelling products on their young bodies. They’ll get more than enough of this when they hit their ’tweens! Check out organic products for your children and yourself too. If you can’t say the words on an ingredient list, then do you really want to be using it?
Michelle Denholm runs her own decluttering and organising business, Harmonious Living. She has helped many busy families bring order into an otherwise chaotic and cluttered environment. Check out the website
www.harmoniousliving.co.nz for more information.
As seen in OHbaby! magazine Issue 4: 2009
Subscribe to OHbaby! magazine
Purchase Issue 4
