Green Parenting: Back to Basics

By Elise Jones, blog editor

So not to go on and on about that freak snowstorm that happened Oct. 29 but it was such a doozy for those of us in the outer suburbs of NYC. Most of us didn’t have power for 3+ days and no school for a week (including myself & Laura)! During the whole mess people were fleeing their houses in droves to go stay with family and at hotels.

I live in a very old house (almost 100 years old). During this whole mess, I kept saying how fine we were and how this house was built back when people didn’t have heat and electricity (or indoor plumbing) and those people lived. So why, when we are stuck without power/heat for a couple of days, do we freak out and think life must stop?

My husband and I built fires in our fireplaces. We bundled up our kids and ourselves in multiple layers and blankets. We cooked over our fire & via our gas stove. We had snow so we stuck our milk, eggs, etc in coolers filled with snow (and a thermometer to make sure it didn’t get below 40 degrees). We drank hot tea and chocolate. All in all, we were fine. It was cold; it wasn’t fun getting out of the hot-watered tub; it was an adjustment to not have our gadgets. But we were fine.

So it stands to reason, all of the extras we have come to enjoy today are not necessary to our survival. They are conveniences which I am very grateful to have but in the end they are not needed to live. It all goes back to the Story of Stuff and how we are programmed to consume and buy (the holidays are coming, have you bought anything yet???).

So by that token, I started to make a list. A list of all of the things I can do without or reduce in my regular day-to-day life. Things I don’t need to buy and just find a way to use what I have and/or buy “vintage”.

electricity (fire & candle light is beautiful)
microwave
computer
iPad, iPhone, iTouch, iAnything
clothes (repurpose old items in new ways)
TV
furniture

More of what I want to add back into my life.

books (library or borrowed, or course)
walking & talking with my children
observing nature
writing
lunch with friends

What would you add to my list?

Have any suggestions or questions for our Green Parenting blog?

Email elise@babybites.com.

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Elise Jones: Elise Jones was the social media director and blog editor for babybites. She was responsible for engaging and informing moms on a variety of parenting topics found on Mommybites’ parenting videos (webbybites), blog, Facebook, Twitter and BlogTalkRadio show. The Mommybites’ blog is an outlet for moms who are in search of information to support them in their role as a parent. Prior to working with Mommybites, Elise taught students in a variety of grades while working for the New York City Department of Education. Before teaching, Elise worked in public relations positions at Burson-Marsteller and Sarah Hall Productions developing and implementing media relations and corporate reputation programs for clients across many industries. Elise is the mom of two lovely girls and currently resides in New Jersey. She performs in the theater and is an active member of her local public arts council. You can also find Elise blogging at Here in This House.

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