Written by: Erika Edwards

There’s been a slow, but consistent shift in the conversations between parents at the playground. We’ve replaced debates over Ferberizing with discussions about which fertilizer is the most environmentally friendly. “Green” is the new black. And everyone, it seems, is dressing up for the party. Canvas bags are all the rage now at grocery stores. Recycling bins are the norm in most neighborhoods and businesses in Charlotte.

Starting Small
Going green is nothing new for Helen Chickering, who has two young children. She remembers growing up in the midst of the huge oil crisis during the 1970s, with a father who worked in the oil industry in Texas. She was constantly reminded to turn off lights and appliances, and to conserve wherever possible. She brought that background with her to the Carolinas where she’s raising her family.

And while one could make the argument that we’re in the midst of another crisis called global warming, Chickering suggests a kinder, gentler approach when teaching children about how they can help Mother Earth. “Don’t scare kids about climate change and tell them the polar bears are going away. Keep it simple by getting kids outside to play. If they can develop a love for the outdoors now, it’ll be easier to teach them about these issues later on when they can understand it,” she says. The key, of course, is getting on their level and making it fun.

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