It's starting to get embarrassing now.
When they were young, they didn't notice and so, there were no awkward questions but now that my children are getting older, they tend to take in the world around them a bit more.
It started just before school finished for the summer term.
In an attempt to try and get more exercise we began walking to school.
In my mind I had pictured these short danders to be wonderful bonding experiences which would see us walking along, swinging our held hands, laughing and joking.
However, it turns out, the highlight of these walks was the amount of litter lying on our roads and footpaths.
What concerned me though when Abbie started to ask about it, was that I hadn't really noticed the sheer quantity of rubbish - obviously, I had become used to the problem.
During our walks each morning, Abbie would notice the takeaway wrappers, smashed glass bottles and paper coffee cups and ask me why people had irresponsibly thrown them away.
To be honest, I had no answer.
She just couldn't comprehend why someone, instead of seeking out a bin, would lazily just throw their rubbish on the ground.
She commented on how the rubbish would make the place look and asked why people didn't care for the environment.
I felt embarrassed because us adults should really be acting more responsibly and working to educate the younger generation about this problem.
I just don't get it myself.
Last weekend, on our drive home from my in-laws house in Strangford, I noticed the road out of the village was littered with rubbish - including one huge chippy bag, which had obviously been thrown out of a passing car window, scattering the contents everywhere.
If you know Strangford, you will know the the village and surrounding area are just beautiful.
What I don't get is why people are so eager to visit such places, obviously for the stunning scenery, only to ruin it for everyone else on their way home?
People live and take pride in these areas and it's not ok to leave your litter behind after you come to say hello - unless it's in the bin.
In March 2021, Keep NI Beautiful found that littering and dog fouling were on the increase.
A survey found that rural roads were disproportionately affected by litter, much of it tossed out car windows, most of it takeway food packaging.
The cost per ratepayer for cleaning up such litter was, at the time, estimated to be £42 a year.
The charity said it was "now time" to "care for our vulnerable environment".
So, why aren't we?
Should fines be heftier? Should there be more education in schools about littering?
I know my eyes have now been opened to just how bad the issue is.
We can all start by playing our own part - find a bin, chuck it in.
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US film maker and director Quentin Tarantino has revealed he is a fan of Peppa Pig.
Best known for movies like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, the 59-year-old described the popular animated series as "the greatest British import of our decade".
The film star also revealed he watches the show with his two-year-old son Leo, adding that the first movie he showed his little boy was Despicable Me.
Speaking to Empire, Quentin said: "I actually do like Peppa Pig. I watch it a lot. I'll say it - Peppa Pig is the greatest British import of this decade.'
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Competition
So, who fancies getting stuck into an "ambiguous horror story"?
The Dog Park by Sofia Okasanen has been described as an "intricate, textured slow-burner".
Helsinki, 2016.
Olenka sits on a bench, watching a family play in a dog park.
A stranger sits down beside her.
Olenka startles - she would recognise this other woman anywhere.
After all, Olenka was the one who ruined her life.
And this woman may be about to do the same to Olenka.
Yet, for a fragile moment, here they are, together - looking at their own children being raised by other people.
The Dog Park is described as a captivating story about a woman unable to escape the memory of her lost child, the ruthless powers that still hunt her, and the lies that could well end up saving her.
I have three copies of The Dog Park to give away.
If you would like the chance to win a copy, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com.
Closing date for entries is noon on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.
(Q) Who The Dog Park?
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