by Laura Falin posted in Life

Earth Day is coming this Saturday.
As a mom, a Girl Scout leader, and a nature lover, I find Earth Day to be a good time to do a little reality check: Am I teaching my kids to take care of our environment" Am I teaching them to just get outside and appreciate it" I really do want them to grow up appreciating this amazing planet.
We live at the bottom of the Rocky Mountains, and I think they get sick of me telling them, "People save up for years to come stand where you're standing right now." But I hope they get that. I hope they always look at this world with awe.
I thought I'd follow up last year's post on great books to read on Earth Day with a post on good movies to watch. Every Friday night, we make breakfast for dinner, spread blankets on the floor, and have a movie night while we eat. It's tradition. If you're looking for a Friday night movie suggestion, how about one of these with an environmental theme"
12 movies to watch with kids for Earth Day
1. Whale Rider: Set on New Zealand's North Island, Whale Rider shows life in a present-day Maori tribe. Pai knows her destiny is to become the tribe's leader, but faces resistance because she's a girl. But the movie also shows the relationship between the tribe and nature, and Pai's own place in it. The movie will give you lots to talk over with your older children (it is rated PG-13, so I'd hold off with younger kids.) Just a beautiful movie that will leave you thin...