Frankly CSR

I was struggling.  My actions and constant reminders around “green” practices weren’t having much of an impact on my daughter, 8, and son, 6. 

“Please turn off the TV when you’re not watching it.” 

“Remember to turn off the lights in your room when you leave.” 

“Hey, that paper should go in the recycling, not the garbage.”

“Do you really need to take such a long shower?”

My words were falling on deaf ears.  Then one day about two weeks ago we were out for a walk and my daughter went out of her way to pick up a discarded aluminum can along the trail.  Then it was a piece of paper, followed by plastic bag.  “Emily, that’s really nice of you, but what made you decide pick up the garbage?” I asked.  She said her school teacher talked to the class about Earth Day and how we all need to take care of the planet.  Her class was planning a clean up project for April 22.  She was just getting a head start.

I asked Emily if she understood that all those things I had been asking her to do at home were also about taking care of the planet.  “Yeah, I get it,” she said.  And I believe her, because there has been a noticeable difference in her attention to all of our home practices in the last week.

It’s amazing to see the influence teachers and a special day can have on kids. Thank you Earth Day, and thank you Mrs. Brown.

Jeff