It is no longer possible to live in blissful ignorance of the impact humans have on the planet. As parents, it is our responsibility to raise environmentally conscious children who will help to solve the problems created by the generations that came before them. If you’ve never introduced your kids to the concepts of conservation and environmental responsibility, Earth Day (Tuesday, April 22) is the perfect time to do so, and here are some ideas to help.

After reading an article by another Type-A Mom, I discovered the Miss Britt blog. In one of her recent posts, Miss Britt lists ten things she wants to teach her children. I was inspired to create a list of my own, as I think all moms should. What is it you most want your child to gain from life? What do you hope to teach them? Even if you never share the list with your children, at least you will have a document to help you remember the knowledge you want to pass along to them.

Building a child’s self-esteem is imperative to their future success. Low self-esteem has been linked to school failure, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide, violence, and teen pregnancy. Helping children achieve a sense of self-worth can be a complicated task. Our media-centric culture can lead children to believe that their value as individuals is derived from what clothes they wear, how they look, or how exceptionally talented they are. Parents must intervene early, and often, in order to guide children to become confident, self-valuing individuals.

There are few things I enjoy more than a good schedule. For several years, we had it down to an art: bath at 7:15 (7:00 for extra play time), downstairs for milk by 7:30, brush teeth, read stories, lights out at 8:00. By 8:15, I could have the remnants of the day put away, the indulgences of choice in my hands—a nice glass of Chardonnay and a book, or a bowl of ice cream and the DVR remote—and the luxury of a few child-free moments before my husband and I fell exhausted into our own bed.

And then one day it happened. The question we hadn’t seen coming leapt from our oldest son’s mouth and shook me right out of my tightly scheduled utopia: “Can I stay up for a little while?”