Earth Day Co-Parenting: Easy Ways Your Kids Can “Restore the Earth”

First started in 1970, Earth Day has taken on a life of its own as people of the world become increasingly environmentally conscious.We celebrate the day on April 22nd annually since 1970. It began in the US and has spread to a multitude of countries worldwide.

While there is so much separated parents may not agree upon, Earth Day can provide a common focus. One where their kids can lead in learning, developing and engaging in activities surrounding the day. A day to foster the well-being of our planet and life on it.

It’s not about who the kids are with. It’s about encouraging their spirit of concern and activism for making the world a better place.

This year (2021) the Canadian theme for Earth Day is “Restore the Earth”.

Kids can look on-line to find safe events and activities they can participate in.

Kids can also develop their own activities consistent with the theme. Those activities can be the same or different depending on which house they are residing.

Reminded your kids of the phrase, Think Globally, Act Locally. With that, parents and kids can join together to carry out tasks consistent with the theme within their own home, property or neighbourhood.

Given Earth Day occurs this year during the pandemic parents can use it as a focus for fun and action.

Kids may go on a hunt within their own home to look for things that may need to be recycled. They can come up with socially distanced community events such local clean-ups. Maybe they can help parents install energy saving lights. They can consider ways to conserve their own water use or perhaps plant a tee.

With whatever is going on in your life and if theseparation has been difficult, Restoring the Earth just may come down to restoring safe and meaningful connections with and between parents – the child’s own world.

Earth Day may just be the energy saving yet inspiring vehicle to make that happen.

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW is a Canadian Social Worker in private practice. He is recognized from his 65 episodes of the hit show Newlywed/Nearly Dead, to over 650 columns as the parenting expert of a major metropolitan newspaper, to more than 600 media appearances, to his book, Marriage Rescue: Overcoming ten deadly sins in failing relationships. Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider him an expert in social work, marital and family therapy, child development, parent-child relations and custody and access matters He speaks at conferences and workshops throughout Canada and the US and helps family peacemakers grow their practice.