Continuing the Sylvania Earth Day Challenge…

I’m continuing with my Sylvania Earth Day Challenge and still loving it! What I’ve loved most about blogging about this Challenge and in implementing energy-efficient actions at home is that it is totally keeping me accountable. I needed to have some sort of accountability to continue this challenge, and the best part is – the “little” things that I started doing 2 weeks ago have now become ingrained within me (and my family). I really didn’t expect that to actually happen and I’m so happy that it has.

It’s my sons who have made the biggest impact on me throughout the last 2 weeks. Last night when they were heading to bed, my 4 yr old son asked me if the basements lights were all off. (Shocked is not the proper word to describe how I felt when he asked me this!) We were completely in “getting-4-boys-to-bed-mode,” so I said to him, “I’m not sure honey, I’ll check when I go back downstairs.” He was obviously not happy with that answer because he replied back to me, “Mom, do you know how much (as he says) e-lect-treetcity is being wasted?”

Ahh!! Lesson learned!! What do you know!?

It’s a moment like that where I truly see the importance and benefit of taking part in this Challenge. It’s not just about the 40 days, it’s about making changes here on out within myself and my family that will make the biggest differences. How absolutely refreshing!

The lights being turned off has been the biggest difference (and challenge) for my family. With 3 of my sons tall enough to turn on the switches, it’s been difficult in the past getting them to understand that we don’t need every light in the house on, especially if they’re not in that actual room. So I started making a joke about it… which my sons think is hilarious (again, mind you they’re 5 and under!). When I knew the boys aren’t actually in one of the rooms with all the lights on, I go in… sit down… and start talking loudly, pretending that one of them just has to be in there – why else would the lights all be on!? My sons get a kick out of it… and truth be told, somehow they’ve “gotten” it. As a matter of fact, when my son William came into the kitchen yesterday morning and saw the light on, but no “mom” in there… he did the same thing, which I thought was adorable. He started talking out loud to me, pretending I was in there. It’s been an easy way to teach them how “silly” it is to have all the lights on when they’re not really in use for anyone. Can’t get much past these kids… 🙂

We’ve got a little less than 2 weeks left in the Challenge, and we’re doing good! I’m very happy to report that the LIGHTS OFF has been our biggest hurdle and we’ve gotten over it. It’s just really cool and encouraging to see these smaller changes and BIG changes go over so well!

Don’t forget! Everyone who takes the challenge will be rewarded a coupon for $1-off the new SYLVANIA Halogen SUPERSAVER® or CFL.

*Sponsored Post

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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