Eco BagsI fully support the notion of reusing the same shopping bags for groceries. Week in and week out people fill up their supermarket trolleys and then proceed to pack the items they have bought into plastic bags at the checkout, once they have been paid for. The majority of these plastic bags only make two trips in their lifetime. One is to the supermarket from the suppliers and the other is to the customer`s home where they tend to end their life prematurely in the bin. If
Eco Bags were used instead they could make hundreds of trips in their lifetime. The bags could be left ion the boot of the car after they have been unpacked ready to be used at the next grocery shop. All it takes is a little thought and a slight change of routine and the
Eco Bags could become regular features down at the supermarket. Concerns about the effect that plastic bags have on the planet should be enough to prick the conscious of people`s minds. If more and more people started to use the
Eco Bags when they went shopping, at least this would be one way that the planet could be looked after.
In the last 20 years we?ve all been introduced to a new style of parenting that is much more democratic than most of us experienced, growing up. Families are more child- centered than they were before, we no longer advocate spanking as an effective form of discipline, we often allow children to negotiate for privileges or things, and we?re much more involved in our children?s lives than most of our parents were in our lives. Parenting is much, much less autocratic than it was in previous generations.
As with many other changes we make over time, sometimes we take a good thing too far and it no longer serves the purpose it was intended. Offering choices, using natural and logical consequences, and using a kinder tone in our voice are all excellent tools to achieve desirable results. However, often we forget that it?s still OK to simply say ?no? when a child asks for something we consider unreasonable. They might be asking for a toy that is not suitable for their age or is beyond your budget. They might already have more toys than they can possible use. They might be asking to go somewhere and you know you don?t have the time or energy to take them there. They might be asking for a sleep-over or for a friend to come over to play and you?re simply not in the mood. You have the right as a parent to say no and then leave it at that. We don?t have to always give long explanations as to why they can?t have something or go somewhere. We don?t even have to raise our voice. A simple, ?No, not today? is enough. If we let them, they?ll try and manipulate us with cries, whines, temper tantrums and any number of other ways to get us to change our mind. If we ultimately do change our mind to please them, we?ve essentially taught them that they can control us to get what they want. How do you stop your child from manipulating you into changing your mind? First of all, believe in yourself. Know that you know what is best for both you and your child and it?s not in anyone?s best interest if you give in. Also, tell yourself that you?re not going to get hooked and simply walk away or change the subject. Children are very skilled at making us feel guilty. Remember that children that have unclear boundaries are less secure than those that have clear boundaries.
Now that you know it?s fine to say no, it doesn?t mean that you can?t change your mind. If you?ve said no to something and later change your mind after you?ve thought about it, it?s OK to go back to your child and say: ?You know, I?ve been thinking about what you were asking about and I?ve changed my mind.? We don?t want to be doing that all the time, but changing your mind doesn?t make you an indecisive parent. Who doesn?t change their mind now and again? Remember, we?re human.
