Note: I wrote this post in 2010 because I feel so strongly about the influence we have on our children and I have never understood people apathy toward cherishing our Mother Earth. I am reposting it for your enjoyment.
Note: The is the post mentioned in the blurb about this blog on the Senior Lifestyle blog award website. I thought it was worth reposting. These two grandsons are now 7 and 9 years old.
I really don't know where else to begin teaching our children about the necessity for keeping our earth clean. They need to know that it will mean a better life for them and their children.
That is where my beautiful grandsons come into the picture. I want to teach them that it can be the simplest things that make the biggest impact. And believe me they are listening. They are at the age between wonder and delight.
Last week we were taking care of our grandsons for a few days. Every visit to Grandma's house has to include a trip to a nearby park. The little green place is full of nooks and crannies and bridges and water. It is also full of people playing basketball and enjoying a Sunday afternoon picnic. It is a well used and sometimes abused green space.
When we visited the park this last week, we were trying to see if the tiny pond with a creek running through it might have fish or frogs. The water skippers were busy with their big shoes on their feet skimming across the water. But search as we might, we didn't find any fish. Grandma the oldest said someone threw a pop can in the water! The the smallest asked What's that white thing Grandma?
I can honestly can say that I had a feeling of visceral disgust as I looked at garbage in our little park's water. I think that our children should only see clean water and shining skies. This was one of those moments when you wish what happened hadn't but also knew that now was the time. The lesson had begun. The choice was about action or inaction. Did I want them to think that someone else would take care of it or did I want to find a way for the three of us to take responsibility for our environment? For me, there really wasn't a choice. All I needed was a rake, a pair of rubber gloves, two little boys and a big plastic garbage bag.
We climbed down the bank to the creek, through the bushes. I raked the garbage and Brayden held the bag. After we were done, we put everything in the bin...that is where it should have been in the first place I said. The lesson was over.
Hopefully, in some small way what we do can help. It doesn't matter if global warming is caused by us or by mother nature. The fact is, humans are having an effect on the world. How could we not? When did we forget the message about global warming was simply about keeping our own backyard clean?
But, even more importantly, are we forgetting to teach our children and grandchildren about how we can prevent the destruction of Mother Earth because we are so caught up in why Mother Earth continues to get warmer and warmer? Please quit messing up my Earth.
Do you think the why is as important and what we can do?
Have a wonderful day.
b
Note: The is the post mentioned in the blurb about this blog on the Senior Lifestyle blog award website. I thought it was worth reposting. These two grandsons are now 7 and 9 years old.
I really don't know where else to begin teaching our children about the necessity for keeping our earth clean. They need to know that it will mean a better life for them and their children.
That is where my beautiful grandsons come into the picture. I want to teach them that it can be the simplest things that make the biggest impact. And believe me they are listening. They are at the age between wonder and delight.
Last week we were taking care of our grandsons for a few days. Every visit to Grandma's house has to include a trip to a nearby park. The little green place is full of nooks and crannies and bridges and water. It is also full of people playing basketball and enjoying a Sunday afternoon picnic. It is a well used and sometimes abused green space.
When we visited the park this last week, we were trying to see if the tiny pond with a creek running through it might have fish or frogs. The water skippers were busy with their big shoes on their feet skimming across the water. But search as we might, we didn't find any fish. Grandma the oldest said someone threw a pop can in the water! The the smallest asked What's that white thing Grandma?
I can honestly can say that I had a feeling of visceral disgust as I looked at garbage in our little park's water. I think that our children should only see clean water and shining skies. This was one of those moments when you wish what happened hadn't but also knew that now was the time. The lesson had begun. The choice was about action or inaction. Did I want them to think that someone else would take care of it or did I want to find a way for the three of us to take responsibility for our environment? For me, there really wasn't a choice. All I needed was a rake, a pair of rubber gloves, two little boys and a big plastic garbage bag.
 |
| Two Little Boys |
 |
| A Rake |
 |
| And a Garbage Bag |
Hopefully, in some small way what we do can help. It doesn't matter if global warming is caused by us or by mother nature. The fact is, humans are having an effect on the world. How could we not? When did we forget the message about global warming was simply about keeping our own backyard clean?
But, even more importantly, are we forgetting to teach our children and grandchildren about how we can prevent the destruction of Mother Earth because we are so caught up in why Mother Earth continues to get warmer and warmer? Please quit messing up my Earth.
Do you think the why is as important and what we can do?
Have a wonderful day.
b
A beautiful lesson for everyone! I like the fact that the kids were upset by the trash - it shows they know where an empty can belongs and it is not in the pond! By instilling in them the importance of everyone pitching in and doing their part you have started them down the right road. Kudos to you and enjoy those grandkids! :)
ReplyDeleteDavid. Thank you for your encouraging words. This is one of the great joys of spending time with grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteB
It's definitely become a political issue, hasn't it. I'm regularly disgusted by all the garbage I see when walking my dogs. You've inspired me to bring along a plastic bag and some gloves next time.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Thank you for sharing them and these wise words in the GRAND social. (Please excuse my tardiness in getting here; major Internet problems and getting around on my phone today. Gah!)
Good for you! I'm afraid too many people are pro-environment in theory, but not when it comes to actually bending over and picking up something off the ground. You teach your children well.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your earlier post, too bad our political landscape is littered with so many self-serving opinions, instead of real, verifiable facts that would serve us all.
In my rural community, it's apparent what new fast food outlets have just been installed; there's the garbage on the road. I seldom go walking without a garbage bag in hand.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Mona. Here in the state of Oregon a lot of roadside clean up is done by prisoners in county jails. I hate to see roadside litter! Even a beautiful view cannot distract me.
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