CONNECTING WITH FAMILIES THAT SHARE OUR VALUES ABOUT ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY AND CHILDRENS´ WELLBEING
December days with Paula and her tribe
Our home is in Braga, in north of Portugal. I live with my husband, Vítor and our three kids, Tomé, Gaspar and Alma
THE RITUALS:
1. How do you start the day?
Recently we have one more element in our family, Alma, 2 months. Our routine has changed a lot as we've been staying at home more than used to.Regardless of the day of the week, we woke up around 8am. At the weekend, my boys usually wake up and go play in the living room while my husband and I stay in bed a little longer. With Alma, the boys have been coming to our bed more often, making it a bed for 5. For breakfast, I usually make pancakes with banana and peanut butter or oatmeal. Saturday is the day to go to the market to buy local vegetables and fruits. And buy artisanal bread at the best bakery in town.
2. How do you end the day?
Late afternoon with 3 small children is quite challenging. So, I usually use babywearing for the last nap of the day, while I am cooking. That saved my evenings. Meanwhile Vítor plays with the kids. With 4 and 6 years old, they love to make puzzles or constructions games.
Boys go to bed around 8:30 pm. We always read a story in boys' room and then I lay down Alma in her crib. After, it’s our little moment for us. The silence of the night, in such a noisy house, is very pleasant.
3. What are the favourite activities for the whole family to do together?
Got outside, connect to the nature, search nature treasures… Beach and forest are our favourite places. Some weekends we go to the family house which is close to the beach and a natural park with lots of birds.
But we love to stay at home too, playing games.
And finally, we love to travel. Inside and outside Portugal.
4. What is important to you when you buy your kids ́ clothes?
First, that the clothing brand is environmentally friendly.
Second, that they are comfortable, minimalist and bold.
Third, I like the clothes to last so that they can be used from sibling to sibling.
I am very proud to know that many brands of children's clothing are manufactured in my country.
5. Do you pass-on your kids’ clothes once they outgrow them?
Definitely. My eldest son's clothes went through 5 kids.
6- And do you use hand-me downs for your kids?
Not as much as I'd like.
YOUR FAVOURITE:
City?
I have a love story with Paris, for having lived there but I imagine myself living in a city like Copenhagen...
Plant?
I love any kind of plant but I'm not a good caretaker. I forget to water them.
Animal?
Dogs and cats. My boys are more into dinosaurs or reptiles.
Planet?
Earth, of course. And there is only one so we need to take care more.
Time of year?
I like all seasons, especially the transition between each one. I feel there is a rebirth and visual changes in nature that thrills me.
December is a special month because of Christmas. We love to decorate the house, make tree decorations or Christmas cards, and watch Christmas movies...
WHAT IS YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY?
My main contribution is to raise my children with full awareness of ecological problems. we live in a city, so we usually only take the car to go far. Mostly we go on foot or bikes.
We are not vegetarians but I don't cook meat and, recently, fish. We are lucky that my mother has a farm. Boys love to dig in the mud, sow seeds, pick vegetables and fruit. so they are aware of what the earth can give us, depending on the seasons of the year.
I try to avoid buying stuff that we don´t need. For example, for carnival or Halloween we don´t buy but rather make our own costumes.
We clean up the beaches and forests.
