How We Became a Family that Kinda Cloth Diapers Most of the Time

You know the old adage, “You’re an expert at parenting until you become one”? I am embarrassed to say, that fully characterized me.

Despite the snarky comments from family members and friends, I was intent on cloth diapering full-time. I registered at all of the right places and researched ad nauseum. My husband and I became walking encyclopedias on the benefits of all things cloth diapering. I’m sure I was delightful company.

When my coworkers threw me a baby shower, I was surprised to find that nary an item I registered for made it into my trunk that day. What did happen to make it, however, were several boxes of disposable diapers of varying sizes. The travesty.

A woman scorned, I wasted little time passing along every oversized box to other expecting moms I knew. Moms that had not read the same articles I had and, consequently, not been enlightened on the benefits of cloth diapering (Hear my snark?).

So, about a year into my mothering, I had successfully cloth diapered exclusively. This included two separate vacations…not an easy feat. Once my son was mostly weaned, my parents offered to keep him for a weekend so my husband and I could have a short getaway. I dropped my son off at their house, list of acceptable snacks in hand, as well as a typed, detailed list of instructions regarding cloth diapering. (Yes, I did that.)

So, imagine my surprise when I returned after our first weekend away, to find out my mom had promptly decided, while she would be faithful to only feed my child the preapproved snacks, cloth diapering was not going to happen. She sent my dad to pick up disposables and they moved on with the weekend.

I. Was. Livid. Nevermind that my parents had kept my child or that they had stocked their pantry with Larabars, fruit, boiled eggs and whole wheat pasta per my request. They had put my son in disposable diapers, thus solidifying my failure. Thus affirming the naysayers. Which is what it really came down to: My pride was hurt.

But, in hindsight, I owe my mom a great deal of gratitude. Now, any overnight trips we are sure to use disposables. In fact, my youngest daughter is still using disposables we received at her shower several months ago. I still do cloth diapers during the day on my two-year-old but we use disposables on him at night.

So, mommas that exclusively cloth diaper, lugging the wet bag with you on week-long trips, I salute you. My family has found what works for us.

Kara Garis is a cloth diapering, baby wearing, semi-crunchy mama to two active boys and a baby girl. She lives with her husband in Oklahoma and loves running, cooking, traveling, reading and teaching herself how to braid. She blogs very infrequently at karagaris.blogspot.com.