No one is ever prepared to be a parent. It comes with no instruction manual, and even if it did, it would never really be able to cover every parenting experience that you may go through, especially for those who want to teach environmental responsibility early on. Thus, new parents, especially those interested in sustainable parenting, are often left guessing as they navigate the excellent ways to raise their children. Along the way, they may encounter challenges and uncertainties that impact both them and their families.
Sam Stedman, the founder of EcoParent magazine is out to provide first-time parents with all the material and knowledge they may need to become the greatest parents they can be. So today, to learn more about Sam and EcoParent, we’ll be following his journey from a disillusioned university professor to an advocate for sustainable parenting.
The Search for Meaning
Sam began his career as an actor and director but struggled to find a true sense of purpose, often questioning “What is it all for?” This sense of dissatisfaction intensified during his pursuit of a PhD in experimental theatre and 20th-century ethical philosophy at the University of Toronto, where he felt disconnected from making a real-world impact. His perspective shifted with the birth of his son, prompting him to leave academia in search of a more meaningful way to influence the lives of families.
The Birth of EcoParent
Sam experienced the challenges of many first-time parents, facing a scarcity of resources for learning essential parenting skills. Recognizing this gap, he and his partner launched EcoParent magazine to educate families on sustainable living practices. Their mission is to provide comprehensive, expert-driven content that empowers parents to make informed choices, rooted in Sam’s search for reliable parenting advice. They aim to explore health, sustainability, and ethical living, elevating the conversation around parenting beyond surface-level guidance.
Experiencing Loss
Yet, as Eco Parent started to grow and reach more and more families, tragedy struck when Sam’s partner, who was acting as the magazine’s editor, was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. Her passing after an agonizing battle left him not only heartbroken but also alone with the responsibility of keeping the magazine afloat while navigating the challenges of single parenthood.
This period of hardship only reinforced Sam’s commitment to EcoParent, as he now faced challenges that were unique to single fathers, and knew many others faced the same, which led to a deeper understanding of the power of community as he shared his experiences. Through the magazine, he now aimed to create a space where parents could share experiences, gain knowledge, and find solace in the understanding that they are not alone in their struggles.
Setting a Higher Standard
At its core, EcoParent is an acknowledgment that if we are to change how we relate to the environment, it’s up to parents to lead by example and teach children how to live sustainably. The magazine is a powerful tool to achieve this as it comprehensively guides parents through the different stages of their family with comprehensive video courses that manage to go deeper than many other resources out there.
By rejecting superficiality, EcoParent fosters a community of informed parents who are equipped to navigate the complexities of raising children in an environmentally aware manner. The emphasis on expert knowledge ensures that families receive reliable information that can make a meaningful impact on their lives and the world around them.
So if you want your child to grow up in a sustainable environment and foster a healthy relationship that allows them to grow up happy and thriving, EcoParent’s courses might be the ideal place to start. You can browse their available material by following this link: https://www.ecoparent.ca/learn
Published by: Annie P.
