I started to write a post about the Virginia Tech tragedy, about how strange it is that NBC won’t show a streaker at the Superbowl because it might encourage others to go out and do the same thing, but they will show a demented murderer in the name of news. It’s stupid. And I know that a lot of people are just saying that they’re just giving us what we want. But that is only partially true. If it was completely true they would show more streakers running from the cops at football games. ‘Cause everyone wants to see that, it’s just plain ol’ funny. Anyway, what I really want to talk about is diapers.
Everyone uses disposable diapers. I believe it’s over 90% of Americans. I think it says a lot about the values that our society holds for better or worse. Here’s why…
Why use disposable diapers? Is it cheaper? Absolutely not. Jess and I bought all our diapers and wipes from Costco at the bare minimum price of about $40 a month (for one child. Come September that price would double). That means that if Jones potty trained by three years old we would spend about $1500 in diapers. You can purchase enough cloth diapers for your baby’s entire life for about $500. And here’s the kicker, cloth diapers are usable for at least two kids worth!
Why use disposable diapers? Are they safer for the environment? Nope. Did you know they’ve done studies that say that it takes one disposable diaper 500 years to decompose in direct sunlight? Imagine how much longer that takes when it’s wrapped in a diaper genie bag wrapped inside a garbage bag! And each child compiles one ton of disposable diaper waste in their years prior to potty training.
Why use disposable diapers? Is it healthier? Nope. Did you know that there is a chemical that is no longer allowed in tampons because it causes toxic shock syndrome? Well did you also know that this same chemical is still used in diapers? I guess it’s not going up any holes or anything, but it just doesn’t seem right does it?
Why use disposable diapers? It’s easier. That’s it. That’s the only reason why right? I chose to switch to cloth diapers at a time when my wife is on bed rest and is not able to change one diaper, wash one load, or rinse out one pile of poop. But the reality is that I have to change Jones’ diaper maybe two or three extra times a day. It takes me five minutes longer to change his diaper every time. And I have to wash one or two extra loads a week. That’s it.
I could go on and on about the details. I know you all want to know if the washing machine water is brown or if my hands are stained with poo or whatever. But the truth is that I hate being dirty or gross or sticky, I hate my house stinking and I hate doing laundry. And so far it’s been just fine.
The moral: as far as I can see one of the most important core values for the American way of life is to make life as easy and enjoyable as possible. And so we have drive thru’s, we have one stop shopping, we have cell phones, and three cars per family, and big yards with bigger fences…is there something more to life than this shallow understanding of happiness? Is happiness supposed to be deeper than getting what we want right away without any sacrifice? Do happiness and sacrifice run much closer than we want to believe?
Just a thought…about diapers.
I agree with your thoughts on diapers. SInce I have decided that I am going to live a more environment friendly life, I have been considering using cloth diapers when we have kids. My mom said she used them, and if you have a washer and dryer in your home it isn't really that bad. And when I am walking through the aisles and see the prices of diapers it really freaks me out that we will never be able to feed our child because all our money will be cover its behind. Though if we dont feed the baby, then there is no need for diapers right?! hmm… no, i guess feeding is important. Anyway, my only concern is the rincing out the poopies… where and how does that happen? You dont need to go into details now, but once I really need the info I will be in contact. Rolo thinks that he wont be changing diapers, and i think if i tell him he has to rince out the diaper that wont help my cause.
They have these cool new things called liners. They're like thick strong clothy toilet paper that you put between your babies butt and the diaper. Then, when they poop you just pull that part out and toss it in the toilet. It gets 90% of the crap off. Then you're left swishing the diaper in the toilet for a second or two. It's not too bad.
A Jonathanized Stephen Covey quote…"Sacrifice is merely giving up something now for something better later"Try it out. Even the ultimate sacrifice, JC on the cross, fits that description. Same with cloth diapers. Wow!
you're like a tall Buddah… with a moppy top….
I'm proud of you guys. Well, I guess not so much Jess 'cause she's not doing a thing!
Does that mean I should go buy some cloth diapers for Aiden at night? He sure has a lot of pee… Would it hold it all? I guess I could sacrifice by washing sheets everyday. I do anyways 'cause his diapers still leak… Don't they have them at places like Walmart or Target?
Honestly Jen I think the answer for Aiden is to have him sleep naked. Thats what I do and I never pee at night.
I know Gina was totally there . . . until she found out that diaper rash is more common with cloth (and she might have changed her mind even then, had Bennett not had a terrible rash during his first month). If his skin stays healthy, she might risk it, but I totally understand not wanting to risk it when he's already having problems.
Even though I have yet to change a cloth diaper I have been enjoying having them. You see I get to fold all the diapers after they are washed, thus providing me a job and a greatly needed purpose in life.
Yeah the danger with cloth is that you don't change it often enough. You need to change the diapers more often with cloth than with disposable. When you don't, your baby gets diaper rash. Jones got a diaper rash second week we used them because I kept forgeting to change it more often.Anyway, I do think, however, that one needs to have the freedom to do what is best for your child and family. We might use disposables at first with our infant girl just because of Jess' recovery time, our impending lack of sleep, and how much more often an infants diaper needs to be changed. We're not quite sure yet. We'll see I guess.
i have been in the midsts of contemplating whether or not to use cloth or regular diapers…so this post rang true in my heart of hearts…the dumb thing about it is that it kills me (and my checking account) to shell out 500 bucks all at once…stupidly, i feel like it sounds better to spend 20 bucks here and there. (even thought it adds up to a million times more in the end) whats a girl to do??
One good thing is that you only have to shell out about 200 at a time. You can just buy the diapers in the size your child needs right then. And the beauty is, your next baby will cost you next to nothing.(Too bad we are starting towards the end of Jones' diaper times)Maybe you should start putting $20 a month away right now…or maybe you should pay for your little son first. It's like which should come first…the chicken or the egg…or maybe that saying doesn't fit here.That's all I have.
Well we don't really have a few hundie to shell out to buy cloth diapers with. So what we did was we pulled the money from our savings and now with our budgeted money that used to go towards diapers we instead put it in our savings until we "pay it off". That will only work if we're for reals commited, but in theory it seems pretty good.It's kind of like owning a house instead of renting…except instead of a house you have a cloth that babies poop into…and you own it…the poopy cloth…
my mom used cloth diapers on all of us. all 7 of us.she's so hardcore.