Being a parent and trying to live ethically can mean you’re constantly stumbling across new dilemmas.

Whether you’re checking ingredients in the shops, making decisions over Christmas presents or deciding how to wash your laundry, the choices seem endless.

And the thing with wanting to be as green as we can is that those of us with a hidden (or not-so-secret) perfectionist streak can end up beating ourselves up over every little detail…

So to be able to keep functioning and to save lots of time, we often find it’s best to make a decision and stick with it. That way, when well-meaning opinion-sharers do their evangelist bit, you can remain steady and calm, without feeling the need to argue your position or take on the guilt they’re unconsciously trying to offer you!

One of the decisions I made early on was to use washable nappies. 3 1/2 years ago I did a “nappy trial”, where we (ok the baby) tried out a range of 30 different reusable nappies. Of course I was hoping his botty would choose the organic cotton super-eco nappy, but the only one that didn’t make him scream was the brightly-coloured fleecy type.

I knew the fleece linings were made using non-renewable materials, but decided this was still a better choice than disposables. And, sure enough, they’re on baby number two and look like they still have plenty of life in them.

The other dilemma here was that the nappies, unlike cotton varieties, can’t be soaked between wearing and washing as it makes the fabric degrade. So I knew I’d have a stinkier nappy bucket to deal with than truly eco parents.

There are a number of side-effects to this, including the fact that I’m more likely to do a pre-wash / rinse and wash more often at higher temperatures.

It also caused me to develop my, personal, number one rule of green parenting:

Never breathe through your nose while sorting out the nappy wash.

I broke it this morning and the memory will stay with me all day!

So it got me wondering:

What are the rules you have created, to make being a greener parent easier? And what are the short-cuts you would recommend to others?

I’d love to hear your views via the comments box!

Thanks,
Clare