Kids are not sustainable. No, not because there are allegedly already too many people on this planet, that’s something entirely different.
Kids are not sustainable
What I mean, they are not resource-friendly. Kids produce so much waste. At least in Western countries. Not only do you have to deal with an avalanche of poo and a tsunami of pee, hopefully, absorbed by diapers. There’s food waste, all the things the kids break, and all the clothes you can’t get clean anymore and don’t fit after two days.
Speaking about clothes. You have to wash at least a load full of washing machines every day, that’s a lot of energy and water you need. And you need more water because kids at least when they are young, are dirty all the time. The floor, filthy, every time. There’s sand everywhere. You as a parent are messy. At least you don’t have time to clean yourself because you have to clean everything else.
Filth everywhere
Every two weeks you have to change the whole wardrobe of your kids because they grow.
You have to buy so much stuff. Ok, maybe you don’t need to, but you do. And the grandparents do too.
Your home is full of plastic toys, plastic cutlery, plastic clothes and noise making terror puppets out of hell, made of plastic.
And you have to drive so much. Your children have two courses a day minimum to keep up with the competition. On the weekend you must visit the grandparents or do something outside to have quality time with your children.
You could do it with public transportation, but of course, you have to buy an SUV, to keep your family safe and kill other children you don’t see because your SUV is too big. But to get everywhere at any time as long as your kids are not sick you need an SUV.
But the kids are sick all the time. That means they need medicine. Even if they don’t need some, you give it to them. So they sleep, what means you can sleep.
And you need band-aids. Even if they don’t bleed, kids need band-aids. So many, that if you cut yourself on a toy, that nobody had put away, you are out of band-aids.
Children are an environmental nightmare. Kids are not sustainable. However, only if they have to grow up in a system, that’s hostile to children.
All kids need is love
Kids do not need so much stuff. They want it. Because they are bombarded with ads, or other kids have this little pink unicorn that plays La Cucaracha. Most toys break after one use or the kids forget about it, after a day. But not this one. It is made of the finest Chinese plastic and has a nuclear reactor instead of a battery. It never dies.
Often the parents have the feeling, they have to buy all this stuff. Either because they didn’t have it when they were young or because they are afraid their kids don’t love them anymore if they don’t do it.
But it is not true.
All kids need is love, food, and a stick. They don’t care if the floor is sticky or if they are dirty. They are happy to stay at home and play or cuddle, and if you go somewhere, they love going by train.
You may need some things for your kids. Clothes, for example, or a bed, toys and books. Most of the things you can get used. When your kids don’t need it anymore, you can sell it or give it away.
No car needed
If you didn’t need a car before kids, you don’t need one with them. I have two kids and no car. They love going by train because they can move, and their parents can focus on them and must not concentrate on driving.
We rented cars, and it was always exhausting and annoying.
I think cities are the best place for kids to grow up. You have everything nearby. Schools, parks, doctors, libraries. You do not need to sit in the car all day to drive your kid around.
All we have to do is to build cities for people and not cars.
The kids are alright — The system isn’t
This system is not made for kids. Because they are not of value, as long as they can’t work. They are just a cost.
Of course, this completely false. Kids are an investment. They maybe need plenty of resources, but they are our greatest resource for a bright future. Kids are the future.
We need a system, that provides kids a good future and a good present.
A system that gives them all they need. That gives parent time to spend with their kids. A system that saves the planet and doesn’t destroy it.
With cities that are a playground and not a parking lot.
Toys that don’t produce microplastics and nightmares but are healthy, educational, fun, and affordable.
A system that is good for kids is good for all.
My name is Ian DeBay.
I am the founder of iandebay.com. I am a content creator, blogger, podcast, YouTuber. This is my blog where I talk about system change, sustainability and other fun stuff.
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