Posted by KarenC on December 17, 19103 at 08:46:09:
In Reply to: NEEDING ENCOURAGEMENT- sick of hiding it posted by avamom on December 17, 19103 at 08:07:37:
Hi,
I sooo understand what you mean and how you feel. I have received mixed reactions when I tell people (we also aren't militant about it and only bring it up if people ask). Most reactions I've gotten are pretty neutral, you can tell people think it's slightly weird but don't really care. I have gotten a few wrinkled noses and "you won't last comments". Though I only got those in the beginning because I've been doing it for almost 5 years now so people can't say I won't last, LOL! I would love to go back to my old workplace (I'm a stay-at-home mom now) and shove it in their face that I HAVE lasted!! Not only have I lasted but I would never in a million years go back to disposables! In fact if I were to have a third baby, I don't know that I'd ever buy him or her ANY disposables....
The comment that upset me the most was a woman who actually turned around and said "Oh my God, cloth diapers? Why don't you wake up and smell the 90s!!!" I swear, I almost decked her!! When I picked my jaw up off the floor the first thing I said was that I'd been doing this for over 4 years and had never once held a diaper pin in my hand! She had this idea that I was using old rubber pants and flat diapers. She warmed up a tiny little bit when I told her how cloth had changed and I didn't feel it was any more work than disposables (poop is poop is poop, kwim?). But I now regret that I didn't react more strongly.... I thought she was very rude.
I sometimes get really down about things like this (I also use the Keeper and cloth pads for my menstrual cycle and I haven't dared bring that up... one person who ended up finding out flat out told me that was disgusting!! and she's supposed to a friend of mine!!!). I also sometimes get tired of feeling like the things I do to protect the environment are my 'dirty little secret'.
But then I look at my children and think how I'm doing this for them. Both to make their future a little brighter and to set a good example. I tell myself that all those people who wrinkle their nose at this now will regret it later. I am convinced that our generation either turn the tide of environmental destruction or feel it's effects more strongly than any before us. So far most people in the west have been able to turn a blind eye to it, the 'if I pretend it's not there, it'll go away' attitude. But I don't think that will last much longer, it just can't imo. I think people like us will be viewed as ahead of our time and our children will be proud that we stood by what we believe.
Next time someone gets nasty about something like this... just tell them that this is something you feel strongly about and that you respect them enough to not make nasty comments about their way of doing things and that you'd appreciate they extend you the same courtesy. I wouldn't expect everyone to just jump up and say they want to do what I do (though it would certainly be a welcome change!!) but I would expect and even demand that they respect me and my choice.
As for a cloth diapering mom's group... I think the closest I have come to hearing about that are LLL meetings. I have heard that many moms there use cloth diapers. Not all of course, but you're likely to meet at least one or two and definetly more likely to get support for your choice! Plus you can always come here if you feel like venting!
Karen.