Happiness and Sacrifice via Cloth Diapers
Posted by Ryan Woods
I started to write a post about the Virginia Tech tragedy, about how strange it is that NBC won't show a streaker at the Superbowl because it might encourage others to go out and do the same thing, but they will show a demented murderer in the name of news. It's stupid. And I know that a lot of people are just saying that they're just giving us what we want. But that is only partially true. If it was completely true they would show more streakers running from the cops at football games. 'Cause everyone wants to see that, it's just plain ol' funny. Anyway, what I really want to talk about is diapers.
Everyone uses disposable diapers. I believe it's over 90% of Americans. I think it says a lot about the values that our society holds for better or worse. Here's why...
Why use disposable diapers? Is it cheaper? Absolutely not. Jess and I bought all our diapers and wipes from Costco at the bare minimum price of about $40 a month (for one child. Come September that price would double). That means that if Jones potty trained by three years old we would spend about $1500 in diapers. You can purchase enough cloth diapers for your baby's entire life for about $500. And here's the kicker, cloth diapers are usable for at least two kids worth!
Why use disposable diapers? Are they safer for the environment? Nope. Did you know they've done studies that say that it takes one disposable diaper 500 years to decompose in direct sunlight? Imagine how much longer that takes when it's wrapped in a diaper genie bag wrapped inside a garbage bag! And each child compiles one ton of disposable diaper waste in their years prior to potty training.
Why use disposable diapers? Is it healthier? Nope. Did you know that there is a chemical that is no longer allowed in tampons because it causes toxic shock syndrome? Well did you also know that this same chemical is still used in diapers? I guess it's not going up any holes or anything, but it just doesn't seem right does it?
Why use disposable diapers? It's easier. That's it. That's the only reason why right? I chose to switch to cloth diapers at a time when my wife is on bed rest and is not able to change one diaper, wash one load, or rinse out one pile of poop. But the reality is that I have to change Jones' diaper maybe two or three extra times a day. It takes me five minutes longer to change his diaper every time. And I have to wash one or two extra loads a week. That's it.
I could go on and on about the details. I know you all want to know if the washing machine water is brown or if my hands are stained with poo or whatever. But the truth is that I hate being dirty or gross or sticky, I hate my house stinking and I hate doing laundry. And so far it's been just fine.
The moral: as far as I can see one of the most important core values for the American way of life is to make life as easy and enjoyable as possible. And so we have drive thru's, we have one stop shopping, we have cell phones, and three cars per family, and big yards with bigger fences...is there something more to life than this shallow understanding of happiness? Is happiness supposed to be deeper than getting what we want right away without any sacrifice? Do happiness and sacrifice run much closer than we want to believe?
Just a thought...about diapers.
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