While visiting my in-laws' house last night, I was able to sample some of the programming available to the 13 and under set. When I do flip on the TV I always fly right past the "kiddie channels" and go directly to HGTV, Food Network, History, or Discovery. The programs that my niece was watching on Nickelodeon last night really makes me want to throw the TV out the window for good. The shows all glorified young to mid-teens living extremely adult lifestyles, usually with little or no parental oversight or guidance. All the kids want to be rock stars, and serial dating, even at such a young age, is considered normal behavior. The dialog, which was supposed to be funny, was banal and devoid of any intelligence whatsoever. The ratings box on the show declared it to be appropriate for viewers over 7 years old. Honestly? I wouldn't let a 12 year old watch it! And I would hope that any 12 year old of mine would be able to recognize tripe for what it is, and stay away from it. Maybe I'm terribly old school here, or perhaps it is due to the fact that my parents never had cable TV until I was in college, but I cannot imagine why anyone with a functioning, reasoning brain would let their kids be entertained by that kind of garbage, let alone buy them all of the products that are tied in with these types of shows?
Am I being naive in thinking that I can keep my kid(s) from this type of stuff? Anyone with kids in the Hannah Montana adoration age bracket have any advice? I need to file it away for later.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The Absolutely Necessary Stuff
I can only think that things must have been simpler in the old days. I mean, my grandparents were pretty intelligent people, and being born during WWI and growing up in the Depression, there were certainly no brightly colored educational plastic toys, the lack of which did not cause them any mental impairment.
So the evil marketing people want me to feel as if I am depriving my child by not registering for their super-whoopty-doo playmat/blinking musical thing/you-name-it that is certain to guarantee him or her entrance into the Ivy League, or at the very least will make him or her smarter than Billy Bubba across the street.
So now that my little rant is over - PLEASE HELP!! If you have done a baby registry before what kind of playthings, if any, did you register for? What did you find useful once baby arrived? I really don't want a whole bunch of plastic garbage made in China junking up my house if I can avoid it, but those pesky marketers keep making me doubt myself.
While we're at it, what are some of the other items that you could not have lived without? I really am hoping to make this a stuff-minimal baby experience, so as far as gear and equipment, I'd like to pare things down to the bare essentials.
Choice is a very wonderful thing, but I'm finding that the whole baby product industry is really nuts.
ETA: For all you experienced nursing mamas, is a pump really necessary? They.Scare.Me. I've always considered one benefit of nursing is not having to haul around or deal with all of the paraphernalia that bottle feeding entails. So is it good to have a pump and all that other stuff it entails around just in case, or is that something you would advise waiting on to see if your situation calls for it? (i.e. difficult/painful nursing experience, convenience of letting someone else feed baby while you get some rest, etc.)
So the evil marketing people want me to feel as if I am depriving my child by not registering for their super-whoopty-doo playmat/blinking musical thing/you-name-it that is certain to guarantee him or her entrance into the Ivy League, or at the very least will make him or her smarter than Billy Bubba across the street.
So now that my little rant is over - PLEASE HELP!! If you have done a baby registry before what kind of playthings, if any, did you register for? What did you find useful once baby arrived? I really don't want a whole bunch of plastic garbage made in China junking up my house if I can avoid it, but those pesky marketers keep making me doubt myself.
While we're at it, what are some of the other items that you could not have lived without? I really am hoping to make this a stuff-minimal baby experience, so as far as gear and equipment, I'd like to pare things down to the bare essentials.
Choice is a very wonderful thing, but I'm finding that the whole baby product industry is really nuts.
ETA: For all you experienced nursing mamas, is a pump really necessary? They.Scare.Me. I've always considered one benefit of nursing is not having to haul around or deal with all of the paraphernalia that bottle feeding entails. So is it good to have a pump and all that other stuff it entails around just in case, or is that something you would advise waiting on to see if your situation calls for it? (i.e. difficult/painful nursing experience, convenience of letting someone else feed baby while you get some rest, etc.)
Monday, April 21, 2008
Crunchy Motivations
I do admit that I have an interest in eco-consciousness. My interest in green and natural living stems from three principal branches: stewardship of what God has given us, health, and frugality. It is amazing that so many benefits for one's health and pocketbook flow from responsible management and care of the natural resources God entrusted to man.
Unfortunately, the popular notion of environmentalism is not born of a relationship between Creator and created. Case in point is the National Geographic Channel's special entitled "Human Footprint." The aim of the program is to illustrate just how much an average American will consume over their lifetime, and to highlight different ways that consumption that we take for granted can be particularly wasteful. While this seems a noble endeavor in theory, I am deeply disappointed in its overall execution.
Take for example the show's first point of attack - the disposable diapers that one child will use. The producers gathered the 1,898 empty pint containers of crude oil that it takes to manufacture said diapers, and heaped them on a well-manicured suburban lawn for effect. Four fallen trees were also thrown onto the pile, and they had a pretty impressive illustration of the cumulative effects of the disposal of the diapers. I presumed that some viable option to the disposables would be presented, and in fact cloth diapers did get a mention, though not so honorable as one might think. The show's only comment about cloth diapers was a lamentation of the water needed to launder them! Things did not get any better from that point on as the program discussed a lifetime consumption of beef, eggs, and bread, all addressed in the same scolding and condescending tones, meant to shame the viewer for his mere existence. I wondered out loud if funding for this project might have come at least in part from the scary folks in the Voluntary Human Extinction movement.
The leftist barnyard pigs at National Geographic contrived a graphically pleasing way to disseminate their ultimate Orwellian message - "FOUR LEGS GOOD, TWO LEGS BAD." This is what the envirofacists and global warming junk scientists would like the sheep of the American public to mindlessly and endlessly bleat.
What a pity that is. God created the world for man to care for as well as enjoy. How sad that our culture has strayed so far from the Christian worldview that "saving the planet" often translates to "reduction of mankind." And it would be really nice not to have to qualify yourself with this statement whenever someone gives you a raised eyebrow for your preference for green products: "I'm not one of those wackadoos - really."
And for the record, I am really peeved about the planned elimination of the incandescent light bulb. For all my crunchiness, I despise those little corkscrew things they try to pass off as decent lighting devices. And they're full of mercury to boot!!
Unfortunately, the popular notion of environmentalism is not born of a relationship between Creator and created. Case in point is the National Geographic Channel's special entitled "Human Footprint." The aim of the program is to illustrate just how much an average American will consume over their lifetime, and to highlight different ways that consumption that we take for granted can be particularly wasteful. While this seems a noble endeavor in theory, I am deeply disappointed in its overall execution.
Take for example the show's first point of attack - the disposable diapers that one child will use. The producers gathered the 1,898 empty pint containers of crude oil that it takes to manufacture said diapers, and heaped them on a well-manicured suburban lawn for effect. Four fallen trees were also thrown onto the pile, and they had a pretty impressive illustration of the cumulative effects of the disposal of the diapers. I presumed that some viable option to the disposables would be presented, and in fact cloth diapers did get a mention, though not so honorable as one might think. The show's only comment about cloth diapers was a lamentation of the water needed to launder them! Things did not get any better from that point on as the program discussed a lifetime consumption of beef, eggs, and bread, all addressed in the same scolding and condescending tones, meant to shame the viewer for his mere existence. I wondered out loud if funding for this project might have come at least in part from the scary folks in the Voluntary Human Extinction movement.
The leftist barnyard pigs at National Geographic contrived a graphically pleasing way to disseminate their ultimate Orwellian message - "FOUR LEGS GOOD, TWO LEGS BAD." This is what the envirofacists and global warming junk scientists would like the sheep of the American public to mindlessly and endlessly bleat.
What a pity that is. God created the world for man to care for as well as enjoy. How sad that our culture has strayed so far from the Christian worldview that "saving the planet" often translates to "reduction of mankind." And it would be really nice not to have to qualify yourself with this statement whenever someone gives you a raised eyebrow for your preference for green products: "I'm not one of those wackadoos - really."
And for the record, I am really peeved about the planned elimination of the incandescent light bulb. For all my crunchiness, I despise those little corkscrew things they try to pass off as decent lighting devices. And they're full of mercury to boot!!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Shake Rattle and Roll
Go figure that on my day off I get shaken out of bed at 4:40 AM! I thought someone was shaking the bed, and as I am a pretty sound sleeper, I was annoyed to say the least! Then the dog started prowling around and I turned on the news. Sure enough, there was an earthquake down south strong enough to be felt up here in the north. Guess I'll be calling our insurance agent today. Our neighbor always told us that he paid an extra $25 a year for earthquake coverage on his homeowners. I think we'll be doing the same from now on!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Not Your Grandfather's Nappies - Part II
The variety of CD products available is mind boggling. I was completely confused and overwhelmed when I first started investigating the options. One thing is for sure - these ain't your grandpa's drawers anymore. A basic overview of the categories is helpful for navigating around the many CD sites that abound out there in cyberspace.
DIAPER CHOICES:
1) Prefolds - These are what you think of when someone says "cloth diaper." They are a piece of fabric, usually cotton, but available in hemp or bamboo as well, that are sewn together in the appropriate places, so that you don't have to continually trifold them into a diaper all the time. They can be bleached or unbleached, Chinese or Indian. Do not get the silly little Gerber prefolds from Wal-Mart or Target. Experienced CD mamas recommend "Diaper Service Quality" (DSQ) prefolds, which are durable and readily available on the internet. Prefolds no longer need to be pinned to keep them together. A new ouchless fastener called a Snappi will keep PF's fastened without having to worry about poking a wriggly baby. PF's require some sort of cover to go over them. See the covers section below for more detail. PF's are the most economical way to cloth diaper, and from the opinions I have gathered from various forums and etailers, is the best system for newborns through 4 months, since the number of diaper changes is highest at that age.
2) Fitteds - Fitted dipes are similar to PF's in that they need a cover, but they are size specific to the age and weight of the child. They are contoured like disposable and are self-fastening in that they have built in snaps or velcro. Fitteds are more expensive than PF's and don't have as many secondary uses either.
3) Pockets - Pocket dipes seem to be the darling of the CD world at the moment. They do seem very convenient, but the price is prohibitive for many frugal CD mamas. Most people seem to have at least a few pockets, but it would be expensive to have a CD system comprised exclusively of them. Pockets have a waterproof cover already attached to the cloth diaper. There is a layer of fleece between baby's skin and the cloth/cover part. The space in between can be stuffed with a prefold or other absorbent insert, hence the pocket. The fleece wicks moisture away from baby to the insert, and makes it very easy to shake any solids off into the toilet. The dipe fastens with snaps or velcro. Most pockets come in sizes only, but at least one manufacturer makes a one-size product that can supposedly be used from birth to toddler. Different brands seem to work better for different builds - i.e. chunky vs. skinny thighs, etc. The whole dipe goes in the wash as-is; you only need to remove the insert and toss it in the wash along with the dipes themselves.
4) All-in-ones (aka AIO's) - AIO's are closest to the convenience of disposables. They are as their name would suggest - diaper and cover all in one. The whole kit and caboodle goes into the wash. The downside is that they take a long time to dry. It is recommended to have at least a few of these in any stash in case of babysitters or reluctant husbands who might be scared of the other options.
COVER CHOICES:
For those CD products that require covers, namely PF's and fitteds, the options are many and varied. These are not the rubber pants of generations past. Covers can usually be aired out and used few times before they need washing.
1) Wrap style covers - Usually made of PUL (polyurethane laminate) which is waterproof on the outside but fabriclike on the inside. They do what they say, which is to wrap around the PF or fitted and fasten with velcro or snaps.
2) Pull on style covers - they pull on. Not much that can be added here!
3) Wool covers - Can come in wrap or pull on styles. The cool thing about wool is that it is breathable and you don't have to wash it all the time. Most wool lovers say they wash theirs about once a month. If you're crafty, you can knit or crochet your own, or make them out of old sweaters. I am excited to try wool because it is a completely natural option. Karen at Green Mountain Diapers has a really informative page about wool.
FAVORITE CLOTH DIAPER SITES:
Green Mountain Diapers - This is where I plan to buy from. This site is chock full of information and pictures of how the products look on actual babies. I also admire the commitment of the proprietress to natural fibers. For that reason, she does not sell pocket diapers on her site.
Diaperswappers - This is a very active forum where you can find answers to general CDing questions and seek opinions from experienced CDing mamas. They also have an extensive for sale or trade section. CD's have a really high resale value. If you wind up with a diaper that you don't like, you can usually resell it for at least 70% of what you paid for it.
Mothering Dot Commune - This is a HUGE natural living forum. Their CD section contains reviews of both retailed brands and diapers made by WAHMs. The WAHM products can be less expensive than the more well-known brands, and can be a good way to try a particular diapering system that might otherwise be price prohibitive. It is a very, shall we say, diverse site - be prepared for alot of paganish, earth mother rhetoric flying around - but if you can ignore that kind of thing there is lots of good information to be had there.
Cottonbabies - Another popular etailer. Their product descriptions are very informative. If I ever decide to try pockets, I'd probably order from there. Their PF prices are among the most competitive around.
I hope this helps anyone who might be interested in giving cloth diapering a shot!
DIAPER CHOICES:
1) Prefolds - These are what you think of when someone says "cloth diaper." They are a piece of fabric, usually cotton, but available in hemp or bamboo as well, that are sewn together in the appropriate places, so that you don't have to continually trifold them into a diaper all the time. They can be bleached or unbleached, Chinese or Indian. Do not get the silly little Gerber prefolds from Wal-Mart or Target. Experienced CD mamas recommend "Diaper Service Quality" (DSQ) prefolds, which are durable and readily available on the internet. Prefolds no longer need to be pinned to keep them together. A new ouchless fastener called a Snappi will keep PF's fastened without having to worry about poking a wriggly baby. PF's require some sort of cover to go over them. See the covers section below for more detail. PF's are the most economical way to cloth diaper, and from the opinions I have gathered from various forums and etailers, is the best system for newborns through 4 months, since the number of diaper changes is highest at that age.
2) Fitteds - Fitted dipes are similar to PF's in that they need a cover, but they are size specific to the age and weight of the child. They are contoured like disposable and are self-fastening in that they have built in snaps or velcro. Fitteds are more expensive than PF's and don't have as many secondary uses either.
3) Pockets - Pocket dipes seem to be the darling of the CD world at the moment. They do seem very convenient, but the price is prohibitive for many frugal CD mamas. Most people seem to have at least a few pockets, but it would be expensive to have a CD system comprised exclusively of them. Pockets have a waterproof cover already attached to the cloth diaper. There is a layer of fleece between baby's skin and the cloth/cover part. The space in between can be stuffed with a prefold or other absorbent insert, hence the pocket. The fleece wicks moisture away from baby to the insert, and makes it very easy to shake any solids off into the toilet. The dipe fastens with snaps or velcro. Most pockets come in sizes only, but at least one manufacturer makes a one-size product that can supposedly be used from birth to toddler. Different brands seem to work better for different builds - i.e. chunky vs. skinny thighs, etc. The whole dipe goes in the wash as-is; you only need to remove the insert and toss it in the wash along with the dipes themselves.
4) All-in-ones (aka AIO's) - AIO's are closest to the convenience of disposables. They are as their name would suggest - diaper and cover all in one. The whole kit and caboodle goes into the wash. The downside is that they take a long time to dry. It is recommended to have at least a few of these in any stash in case of babysitters or reluctant husbands who might be scared of the other options.
COVER CHOICES:
For those CD products that require covers, namely PF's and fitteds, the options are many and varied. These are not the rubber pants of generations past. Covers can usually be aired out and used few times before they need washing.
1) Wrap style covers - Usually made of PUL (polyurethane laminate) which is waterproof on the outside but fabriclike on the inside. They do what they say, which is to wrap around the PF or fitted and fasten with velcro or snaps.
2) Pull on style covers - they pull on. Not much that can be added here!
3) Wool covers - Can come in wrap or pull on styles. The cool thing about wool is that it is breathable and you don't have to wash it all the time. Most wool lovers say they wash theirs about once a month. If you're crafty, you can knit or crochet your own, or make them out of old sweaters. I am excited to try wool because it is a completely natural option. Karen at Green Mountain Diapers has a really informative page about wool.
FAVORITE CLOTH DIAPER SITES:
Green Mountain Diapers - This is where I plan to buy from. This site is chock full of information and pictures of how the products look on actual babies. I also admire the commitment of the proprietress to natural fibers. For that reason, she does not sell pocket diapers on her site.
Diaperswappers - This is a very active forum where you can find answers to general CDing questions and seek opinions from experienced CDing mamas. They also have an extensive for sale or trade section. CD's have a really high resale value. If you wind up with a diaper that you don't like, you can usually resell it for at least 70% of what you paid for it.
Mothering Dot Commune - This is a HUGE natural living forum. Their CD section contains reviews of both retailed brands and diapers made by WAHMs. The WAHM products can be less expensive than the more well-known brands, and can be a good way to try a particular diapering system that might otherwise be price prohibitive. It is a very, shall we say, diverse site - be prepared for alot of paganish, earth mother rhetoric flying around - but if you can ignore that kind of thing there is lots of good information to be had there.
Cottonbabies - Another popular etailer. Their product descriptions are very informative. If I ever decide to try pockets, I'd probably order from there. Their PF prices are among the most competitive around.
I hope this helps anyone who might be interested in giving cloth diapering a shot!
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