Natural Parenting Tips

When I first learned that I was pregnant many (many!) years ago, I was thrilled but also terrified. I was responsible for a tiny little life growing inside of me and all of a sudden everything that I did or ate had me thinking “is this good for the baby?”. Within months of finding out I was pregnant I was at my local health food store looking for organic milk because I read about a study that suggested the hormones in conventionally raised dairy cows may cause early puberty in children. That was just the very first step of my campaign for natural living. Over the years I have learned that living a natural life isn’t particularly HARD, you just have to think before you act and do a little bit of research about the products you buy. Making small changes every day is an easy way to bring natural living into your family. 

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Natural Parenting Tips

So, you have decided you want to live a more natural life but aren’t sure where to start? Here are a few tips to help you bring natural products into your own life:

1. “Eat Food, Not Too Much, Mostly Plants” (Michael Pollan): 

This is my favorite quote about how to eat and I try and keep this in the back of my mind when I shop. What does it mean to eat FOOD? Isn’t that what everyone eats? No, if you look at the back of your packaged foods you will see chemical names and things you have no idea what they are.

This is NOT food. Carrots, cucumbers, potatoes…THOSE are foods. Make sure you eat simple foods with only a few ingredients. Become a label reader! You may be surprised at what is hiding inside if you flip over the package and read the ingredients!

2. Live simply: 

This is one that I struggle with every day. Simplify your life…don’t overextend yourself or your children. Sit down to a family meal every night and talk to one another. Stay connected with your children by keeping the lines of communication open.

Spend time together doing something fun…I enjoy movie night with my family on the weekends and family vacations over the summer are treasured even if all we do is hang out with the grandparents or spend the afternoon at the pool.

Not every vacation has to involve amusement parks and fancy hotels. Simple living can often create wonderful memories that your children will cherish for years to come. I know my kids will remember the summer we kayaked through the swamp for a LONG time!

 

 Say Yes To simple living

 

3. You are what you put on your skin:

The saying usually states that “you are what you eat” but you are also what goes onto your skin! Your skin is very porous so everything you put on it gets absorbed into your body. Choose products without artificial scents and dyes and products made with plant ingredients that have not been tested on animals.

You don’t have to go to Whole Foods or shop on special beauty websites to find these, either. Many mainstream grocery stores and department stores have begun carrying products like Yes To so you don’t have to travel far! Remember, babies are particularly sensitive to harsh ingredients in skincare products. 

 

4. Make choices that educate your children:

Remember that the choices you make for your family are ones that your children will probably make for their own families when they grow up. You have a huge influence on the next generation! Simple choices like recycling, composting, gardening, and bringing reusable bags to the store will make a huge impression on your children.

5. Clean naturally:

You would be amazed at what you can do with a lemon and a box of baking soda! You can choose to clean your cutting boards with a slice of lemon or freshen your sink drain with vinegar and baking soda.

Freshen the air with some cloves and orange peel in a pot of boiling water or choose sponges made from recycled plastic bottles. While we can’t get out of housework completely, we can add a few natural touches here and there.