As a parent, how do you combine the school routine with the 6 R’s of sustainability – refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle and rot?We all know that instilling good habits is easiest when they are still young so let’s make the most of this opportunity! As the kids return to school, here are some simple tips to encourage sustainable, healthy habits:
School Supplies
If you are out buying new supplies, make sure to buy school supplies with less packaging and seek those made with recycled and sustainably sourced materials. Always look for local options and invest in high-quality products that can be used for longer periods of time… or even passed onto that little sibling or cousin after a few years. Before I head out to the shops, I usually check if we already have a few school supplies hanging around – I often find something that can be used by my little man, like a few half-filled notebooks that can be re-purposed. By reusing instead of buying new, you’ll get the satisfaction of helping the environment and your pocket too!
School Uniforms
Kids outgrow clothing very quickly, so buying new clothes not only wastes a lot of money for very little value, but it also contributes greatly to environmental degradation from the oil-based synthetic fabrics to the toxic dyes potentially used to make them. In fact, the clothing industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, second only to oil (let that sink in for a few seconds). A great way to get new school clothes for free is to organize a clothing swap with family and friends. This concept is growing in Ireland with grown-ups swapping clothing and accessories they no longer want so why not replicate the same idea for school uniforms? You will save a few quid, have a fun day and get to meet other school parents.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
Sustainability And Back To School
As a parent, how do you combine the school routine with the 6 R’s of sustainability – refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle and rot?
Supercharge Your Skin
Anita Murray, Founder of The Pink Beauty Group, (and general beauty guru!) gives us her tips for small products with big skin gains!
Social Vs Academic Skills
At two years old, my youngest daughter happily chats to other babies and pre-schoolers in her usual babbling, half English, half toddlers.
Sleep and Multiples
Deciding to try to improve your multiple's sleep can be an overwhelming thought for many parents so it may be best if we take it in small steps that will ultimately help to encourage better sleep for everyone.
Real Mums: Zoe's Birth Story
Your first pregnancy is a scary time.
Ready.... Steady....
Parents often ask the question when is the best time for their child to start school? That is really up to the individual parent and of course up to the child.
Matrescence The Birth Of A Mother
When your baby is born, so are you as a mother.
Keeping Mama Fit…
Multi award winning pregnancy and post-natal fitness specialist fitness Dr Joanna Helcké - gives us three core exercises to assist mums to be through pregnancy and beyond.
Hiring A Housekeeper
Getting a housekeeper is a way to manage your time more efficiently and it can be very affordable.
Forging Firm Friendships
Children’s friendships are important for a number of reasons.
Supermodel Turned Super-Mogul
Kathy Ireland Brings Fashion and Functionality into the Home Furniture Arena
The Inspiring World of Irish Crochet
Traditional Irish crochet, with its beautiful lacy motifs and the intricately cabled fisherman sweaters of the last century, still inspires modern crochet designers today. Recently we asked crochet designers and good friends, Bonnie Barker and Jennifer E. Ryan, to chat about their friendship and Irish-inspired crochet designs. The following is an excerpt from their video chat. Make sure to visit their websites to watch the complete video between these two good friends.
Olga Starostina & The Timeless Beauty of Irish Crochet
Years ago, when I was new to crochet, I heard a woman say she stopped knitting “because there’s nothing new to learn.” I was shocked. With new techniques and stitch patterns emerging, there is so much to know about crochet and knit work.
BOOZE HOUNDS BEN ON IRELAND FILM SET
REFORMED party animal Ben Affleck is stressing out while filming with pal Matt Damon in Ireland, insiders said — where he’s surrounded by booze!
LOCKDOWN LEADING COURTENEY TO ALTAR!
CAN’T TAKE BEING APART FROM ROCKER JOHNNY
Pub Perfection
Our selection of world-beating public houses for the town’s signature day of carousing.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE HISTORY
Future of the Oldest Shooting Sport
GO AROUND THE WALL
When we go around the wall instead of trying to walk through it, we can experience the transient nature of all things.
par excellence
Luxury and warmth combine at this country manor with a Ryder Cup-worthy golf course and Michelin-starred dining
News From Around Our Wonderful World
West Deptford Township, New Jersey Some of Austin Schwarz’s favorite childhood memories were spent on his dad’s fishing boat.