If you’ve read my posts on Facebook, or my post after I signed up for the flats challenge, you know I was full of excuses why I couldn’t participate. Yet there’s my flats pad folded & stacked! You can see my poor pocket diapers in the background, just waiting for next week!
If you’re just “tuning in;” I’m participating in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry. All this week I’ll be using flats and handwashing them. Learn more about the challenge.
So what exactly made me decide to do it? I’m not entirely sure. Partly because I was thinking of the old saying: “It’s not brave if you’re not scared.” I was/am pretty freaked out about this whole thing, so if I can complete it, it will feel like a big accomplishment. Also because I kind of wonder what I would really do if I were truly in a situation where I had no washing machine and I couldn’t afford disposables. Would I really want to hand wash diapers for two boys every day? Would I be tempted to leave disposables on a little longer than I should? Would I be willing to ask for help from family? Would I pay a bill late to buy diapers? Would I even be able to use disposables? My older son’s horrible rashes were the reason I finally decided to switch to cloth after looking into it several times.
Just a few weeks ago, my older son daytime potty-trained himself, and I was way happier than I would have been if he’d done it a week after, ha ha.
I think it’s easy to say “Well, if I … I would …” when you’re not actually in that situation.
As Kim of Dirty Diaper Laundry has said, it’s easy for this to almost be a “fun” challenge because you know you are throwing those puppies in the machine the second the challenge is over, and believe me, I’ve been daydreaming about that moment. I’ve been actual dreaming about hand washing flats. For realz. I have been dreaming about it. I’m hoping the dream practice will make me more efficient.
So…here we go!!
Are you participating? Link up your post! If you’re not participating, read the other bloggers’ posts!
Maria wants to live in a world where cloth diapers are the norm and moms can make parenting choices without judgement. When she’s not chasing her 18, 14 and 11-year old kids around, you might find her checking out the latest gadgets, organizing something (again) or exercising in the fresh air. 
I kinda have a sick wish that I was trying the challenge, but I work FT and there is no way I’d be able to get several different sitters on board with my insanity. It’s been hard enough just getting everyone to use pre-stuffed pocket diapers with liners!
The actual changing hasn’t been too hard so far; I’ve been using pad folded flats inside a cover. I think you’re awesome for working f/t and using cloth!!
I’m ridiculously impressed with all the participants’ dedication! I’m starting to feel like a loser for at least not trying.
I was around 8ish weeks pregnant last year and not only did I not try, I barely even considered it!!
I LOVE that picture! LOL GL this week! =)
Thanks!!
Love the picture too! Glad your older son is daytime potty trained! That is awesome!!!
I was happy of course but when I realized I was only going to have to wash flats for one (plus his night dipe) I almost threw a ticker tape parade. 😉
Good luck to you, too! P.S. I love your follow me buttons!
Thank you!! My husband’s cousin is a graphic designer & came up with those for me! I love them. 🙂
Love your picture 🙂 HA!
I immediately thought of “success kid” LOL.
Its truly an accomplishment!! Maria we can do this!!
Remind me that in a few days. 😉
Lol right !! Your funny
“It’s not brave if you’re not scared.” That’s awesome! I’m totally writing that down. I love your list of questions and I think that’s a huge part of the challenge-making us think what we would do if we were in that situation.
I am looking around at all I have and feeling VERY grateful!!