4) Green laundry detergent. There are many manufacturers who make detergents free of dyes, chlorine and phosphorus. Not only will using them help keep wastewater free of these pollutants, they will also be absent from the clothes your kids wear and the sheets they sleep on.

5) Green bathwater. Ick, we know, sounds terrible. But choose body washes, shampoos, lotions and bubble baths that avoid petro-chemicals, alcohol and other chemicals and both your kid and your lake can avoid them too. And save water by not filling the tub. You don't need much water to bathe a kid, after all.

6) Wooden and natural fiber toys. Companies like California Baby and Under the Nile make toys from wood and natural fibers, often organic, that can be safer for kids and for the environment because they're biodegradable. There are also companies making toys out of the same kinds of bioplastics (often corn-derived) that Alterra uses in its biodegradable plastic cups.

7) Recycling baby clothes, toys and equipment. When we were kids they were called hand me downs. Now, parents are recycling clothes, books, DVDs, toys, strollers and more that have been gently used. This not only saves money, but also keeps a lot of things out of landfills. And if you're not buying it all new, maybe some of these things are produced in smaller quantities, which also saves resources.

8) With all the fears these days about the dangers of BPA in plastic bottles, there's no better time to commit to glass bottles, which are also recyclable.

9) Stop! Why are you buying all those individually-wrapped100 calorie packs inside more packaging? Buy some small reusable containers for your on-the-go snacks and you can cut down on a ton of waste.

10) Turn off the TV. Hey, pediatricians say that not only is TV unnecessary for kids 2 and under, they say it could lead to problems like obesity and shorter attention spans. Save some electricity by snapping off the boob tube and taking junior out to play in the yard. Now that it's light out until nearly 8 o'clock and getting warmer, there's no reason to stare at the idiot box. If you're stuck inside, read a book together or draw a picture. Now's the time to teach good habits and show your kids that life doesn't need to be wired for cable.

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