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Out-greened and outsmarted by a six year old

DC

I was sitting in our living room the other day when our six year old son came down the stairs. We had a conversation that went somewhat like this:

me: "Did you turn off the light in your room?"

him: "Nope, I forgot."

me: "Well, please go turn it off."

him: "You can do it. I'm busy, and you're closer."

me: "No. You need to go do it."

him: "I really don't want to, and if you don't go turn it off, there's going to be more bad pollution and stuff from all the coal plants."

Well, what could I do? I didn't like him talking back to me, but I had to give the little guy some points for keeping the impact of fossil fuel generated electricity on the radar screen -- I had no idea where electricity came from even as a teen. So, we ended up compromising. I carried him up the stairs, and he flipped the light switch off -- fourteen small steps for the planet.

Please share any amusing or informative stories you have about kids and the environment here.

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Submitted by DC on Tue, 11/06/2007 - 10:37.

DC
Re: Out-greened and outsmarted by a six year old

Thanks, solar stacks, for sharing that story with us. Thanks also for your many other contributions to FTP -- you are a terrific source of information about a wide variety of subjects.

It gives me hope when I see kids who care about the planet and want to help make things better. There is certainly much more of an emphasis in schools now about respecting the environment than when I was young, and there are a lot of great books and other resources out there for parents who want to teach their kids how to make a difference in the world. We recently checked out a book from the library called The kid's guide to social action: how to solve the social problems you choose--and turn creative thinking into positive action. It was oriented towards kids a little older than our son, but it had some great ideas.

For those interested, Grist has a section focused on parents and the environment at http://www.grist.org/topic/parenting. If people know of other good resources, online or otherwise, for green-principled parents, please share them with us.


Wed, 11/07/2007 - 19:01

jstack6
jstack6's picture
Re: Out-greened and outsmarted by a six year old

Kids are the best. Recently I was in a solar cooking contest in Scottsdale at their green building expo. There were about 10 entries. One was the inventor of the sun oven solar that are sold and donated to developing countries. What a great way to really help these 3rd world places that cut down their last 2 trees for fire wood to cook when they have sun all day.

  One entry was an 11 year old girl who decided all by herself to enter and make a 3 course meal. Her mom would have loved to help her but was busy with events of her own. This precotious girl was so knowledgeable that she helped another 2 women with their entry. In fact they ended up winning 1st place. The young girl got 2nd and really was the star of the day.

   When people would come by she would walk them down the ovens explain what each was making and how they did it. She was my number one vote because she was smart and helpful and thrilled to win 2nd when she really was the top cook all day.

   By the way I made organic wild blueberry muffins and gave 30 away during the day since I was just having fun and sharing. Winning is for competitive types and I was just there to educate. It's amazing how many people never saw a solar over and didn't believe it really got to 3-400 degrees. I use mine any day I'm not working and in AZ itls always cooking weather.

the solar stack

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solar stacks


Tue, 11/06/2007 - 21:51

ctyankee
Re: Out-greened and outsmarted by a six year old

What's really amazing is that even after seeing a solar oven cook, some people still don't believe that it works! They still think you wind it up or something???


Wed, 12/05/2007 - 15:05