I’m participating in the Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry. This is the third annual flats challenge, designed to bring awareness to diaper need and how cloth diapers can solve the problem. Why am I doing the flats challenge this year? I’m not sure I’ll remember by the end, ha ha.
The first flats & hand washing challenge was in 2011. It was (and has been every year) during my son’s birthday week. The first year, I was also in my first trimester of pregnancy and struggling to stay awake, let alone change/wash diapers without barfing. The sheer thought of the flats & hand washing challenge freaked me out. I totally panicked and said there was no way I was doing it!!
The next year (last year,) I decided I was going to prove I wasn’t a wimp (or find out that I was, LOL) and do it! Largely because I wanted to see if it was doable. Would I do it if I needed to? I succeeded, and it really wasn’t as bad as I expected, although I was very happy to see my diapers & my washing machine when the challenge was over.
Last year, although I abided by all the rules, I felt like I got off easy since my 5 1/2 month old was 100% breast fed, and my older son decided to potty train just before his 3rd birthday, maybe 2 weeks before the challenge (I did use flats on him at night.) So, I haven’t had the “full experience” of the challenge, toddler dipes & all! I also want to see if it is easier for me this year since I’m not a total newb to hand washing.
Join me this week as I scrub and swish & wring & hopefully not regret letting my son eat fruit, beans etc. (ick!)
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. 
