114 HAWAII PARENT January/February 2025 Lessons on conserving water, energy, and other resources highlight the importance of mindful consumption. enough, do the dishes on their own. Just like their morning routine, have them turn off the faucet while they’re soaping the dishes. Also, teach them to separate waste in the proper containers: compostable items, glass/plastic, cardboard/paper, and garbage that will end up in a landfill. If you’re ordering food in or are eating out at a restaurant, teach the kids to say no to plastic utensils when ordering in and plastic straws when eating out. Before they go to bed, instruct your kids not to leave their phones and laptops charging overnight to conserve energy. Weekend Adventures: Nature and Responsibility There are lots of things you can do with the kids on weekends to make them care about the environment. If you plan on going on a hike or to the beach, teach them to enjoy nature responsibly. Eco-Friendly School Lunches If you have enough time in the morning, have your kids help you pack their school lunches. Teach them how to pack a lunchbox with little to no waste. Use reusable bottles instead of disposable juice bottles, water containers, or milk cartons, and wrap their sandwiches and snacks in beeswax wrapping or other sustainable materials instead of in cellophane. Evening: Conversations and Actions The evening presents a time for conversations about environmental conservation. Have the kids help you prepare dinner and try to come up with delicious meals that are plant-based. A good start could be “Meatless Mondays.” Also, teach them to set the table with washable cloth napkins instead of disposable paper napkins. After dinner, have the kids either help you with the dishes or, if they’re old “Teach them how to pack a lunchbox with little to no waste.”
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