I was out in the woods with my 6 year old daughter yesterday. She grabbed a plastic bag that she saw lying on the ground and started filling it with other trash. We always go for the plastic first, before the cans and bottles- so she focused on that.
She then told me that she likes to protect the environment- and then asked “Daddy- if the environment gets hurt really bad, will people die?” I was totally caught off guard by the question, paused, and decided I didn’t want to lie to her. I told her “yes.” It broke my heart to say it out loud- and I was left stunned by her question.
How bad will the destruction get? I don’t know, but for my children’s sake, I must always work tirelessly to protect and restore the environment.
Love the honesty and the message that our actions matter.
Oh, I know that feeling so well. My 5 year old daughter is reaching that same place. She’s always been very nature-oriented, and has recently started declaring her belief that nobody should ever build anything because that takes away from nature and destroys habitats. Many conversations ahead … and it’s a definite reminder to me to make sure I am being the right kind of role model!!