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Research Mode: On (cloth diapers)
I am kind of interested in using cloth diapers with Ducky. Maybe. Well, I am thinking that it's our best option, but I'm still not sure that it's the right one for us. I don't know if I* would like it, or if I could stay with it, or if the dirty diaper laundry would drive me crazy. My own reasons for considering it, if anyone is curious, has to do with the amount of money that you literally throw away, the amount of waste (both diaper and human waste) that ends up in landfills and the health benefits. Honestly, the original factor was that disposable diapers have *possibly* been linked to male infertility. That's when M and I started wondering about the ethics of us, as an infertile couple, using a product that we are aware might lead to the same problem in our kid. (By the way, please don't take this wrong. I really have no opinion about how someone else diapers their kids. It's not something we feel strongly about, just something that we have discussed upon occasion and committed to researching more before deciding. I don't have stats handy about what sort of link it is, or how accurate it is--that's part of what I plan to research. It is entirely likely that we will end up using disposables with any and all of our kids, regardless of what said research finds. But, have you met me? I WORRY. And then I Google.)
Anyway, the world of cloth diapering is big and complicated, and I began delving into the researching tonight. There are all these abbreviations and a variety of types and methods and there are a blue million moms selling their own diaper supplies on their websites. It's a completely foreign language to me, but I'm gradually picking up on it. I think Google is pretty adequately prepared with resources to help me decide whether or not I should give it a whirl and how to get started, and I've bookmarked the LJ community, etc. It's the more personal side I was curious about.
1. Have any of you done the cloth diaper thing? Considered it? Tried it? Known people who did it successfully? Decided against it for a practical reason that I'm not thinking about? Had no interest in it?
2. Will you make fun of me if I use cloth diapers?
3. Will you make fun of me if I decide, before actually having a baby, to use cloth diapers and then give it up because it's driving me crazy?
4. Am I too concerned with what people think about the whole diaper deal, as judging from these last three questions? I think I may be worried about the reaction from my family, who I suspect will be ready to see an insult that isn't intended. I love them but I know how they are.
5. Am I just thinking about this because I am contrary and weird and like to make things difficult for myself?
6. How much self-reflection is actually involved in a decision like this, anyway? I think I should have skipped that pop psychology class in college.
*M is also involved in this decision, but he is of the opinion that I am the one who does laundry, and so I get to make the final decision. I think he's generally in the pro-cloth camp, but from a theoretical standpoint rather than a practical one. On a secondary note, this will also probably be a joint cloth/disposable household even if we go that route, because I think that disposables are what daycares require. (Not positive there, but that's my impression.)
There are an embarrassing number of disclaimers in this post. I need to work on that--and I did edit out half of them. You all should know that I think you're good parents, or I wouldn't ask for your opinions, but there are nasty places on the internet called "mommy blogs" where trolls lurk and say mean things about the way one raises their kids, and I have spent too much time in those scary places.
Anyway, the world of cloth diapering is big and complicated, and I began delving into the researching tonight. There are all these abbreviations and a variety of types and methods and there are a blue million moms selling their own diaper supplies on their websites. It's a completely foreign language to me, but I'm gradually picking up on it. I think Google is pretty adequately prepared with resources to help me decide whether or not I should give it a whirl and how to get started, and I've bookmarked the LJ community, etc. It's the more personal side I was curious about.
1. Have any of you done the cloth diaper thing? Considered it? Tried it? Known people who did it successfully? Decided against it for a practical reason that I'm not thinking about? Had no interest in it?
2. Will you make fun of me if I use cloth diapers?
3. Will you make fun of me if I decide, before actually having a baby, to use cloth diapers and then give it up because it's driving me crazy?
4. Am I too concerned with what people think about the whole diaper deal, as judging from these last three questions? I think I may be worried about the reaction from my family, who I suspect will be ready to see an insult that isn't intended. I love them but I know how they are.
5. Am I just thinking about this because I am contrary and weird and like to make things difficult for myself?
6. How much self-reflection is actually involved in a decision like this, anyway? I think I should have skipped that pop psychology class in college.
*M is also involved in this decision, but he is of the opinion that I am the one who does laundry, and so I get to make the final decision. I think he's generally in the pro-cloth camp, but from a theoretical standpoint rather than a practical one. On a secondary note, this will also probably be a joint cloth/disposable household even if we go that route, because I think that disposables are what daycares require. (Not positive there, but that's my impression.)
There are an embarrassing number of disclaimers in this post. I need to work on that--and I did edit out half of them. You all should know that I think you're good parents, or I wouldn't ask for your opinions, but there are nasty places on the internet called "mommy blogs" where trolls lurk and say mean things about the way one raises their kids, and I have spent too much time in those scary places.
no subject
My personal opinion: you should do whatever feels best for you and M. and you should not let anyone make you feel bad or guilty about it either way. If you're still going to be a working mom outside the home and cloth diapers are just too much for you to deal with, don't feel bad if you don't want to. If it works for you, great.
no subject
I shall try not to let anyone make me feel bad or guilty. It would be easier if I didn't have such an easy guilt switch. ;)