Teaching Kids to be Mindful Consumers Through Curiosity & Love for the Planet

Next to Natural - for conscious parents

Imagine taking your 5 kids, one dog, and entire life on the road with your husband, on a converted bus, for a full-time adventure of wild camping, boondocking, and visiting as many places across the country as you can. Today you will meet Robin Schannepp @contendednomads, who has been on the road with her family for the last 4 years. During that time she has crossed the country 8 times, birthed two new babies, and all while homeschooling her children and turning her family’s life into a wonderful adventure. Today we’re going to see what it takes to pursue a life less ordinary, while raising a family based on sustainable values and minimalistic living. With a strong love for people and the environment, she wanted to pursue a life that taught her children about sustainable living and being eco conscious. Her journey began with cloth diapers and transcended into creating a minimalist life on a converted school bus. Robin talks passionately about why she is so adamant about choosing well made clothing that is made by people who are well cared for and treated fairly. In this interview, we talk about the conversation she had with her children about slavery - still seen in today’s world (even in the US) - in the form of people being taken advantage of and forced to work in terrible conditions “to make cheep crap”. Her goal is to raise children who are mindful consumers and to instill in her kids a love for people and the planet, and teaching them how to “vote” with their dollars. In the interview we also dive into her philosophy on school and the importance of cultivating children who know what it is to be human. She believes most children are raised consuming food, goods, entertainment, without much thought. Raising mindful children who are connected to nature and not forced into a school environment produces kids who love learning. We talk about her “chronically curious” grandparents and how travel can teach your children by connecting them to the natural world and their innate curious spirit. This is a fun, inspiring and informative interview with a very special and unique person. To find out more about Robin, you can connect with her on Instagram @contendednomads and at her blog at www.contendednomads.com. Thank you so much for tuning in to Next to Natural. We will be back soon with another incredible mom to share her journey and approach to minimalistic and environmentally conscious living. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app - Itunes, Spotify or Stitcher, and please share it with a friend and rate/review the podcast - this helps other incredible parents find us and help grow the movement to a healthier and happier world.