Teaching your children how to live a sustainable life helps them learn how to be more independent and appreciative of the basics. Too many role models for children over indulge and portray a life free of consequences, which doesn’t help them learn responsibility. Instead of letting them think wasteful behavior is okay, show them why it's not and explain it to them in terms that they can understand.

Because there are so many details and complex ideas when it comes to living off the grid and preserving the environment, it can be challenging to articulate these ideas to your children. However, hands-on activities as well as life experience can encourage better habits in your children. For example, age appropriate library books and videos can help get the message across. Plus, these materials are more suitable for the child’s age and reading level.

An even better way is to show through example. Let your kids shadow you while you prepare the garden for the seeds. This will make them more appreciative of the process when the food can finally be harvested. If you regularly can food for storage, show them the steps so they know how to do this when they grow up and live on their own.

Or setup a simple compost bin and make it one of their chores to empty excess food scraps into the bin after dinner. Also, let them express their creative freedom by reusing and recycling common household items such as wood scraps, toothbrushes, trophies, etc. Extra wood can be used to make birdhouses, toothbrushes can be used to remove stains from clothes and trophies can be used as fancy flowerpots. It’s beneficial for children to understand the versatility of items.

Just through observation, your children will absorb a lot of information, so it's important that you be the best eco-friendly role model you can be. Regardless what you might think, your kids do hear what you have to say and see what you do. Before you know it, they will be efficient at composting, recycling, reusing and saving water and electricity.