Thursday, March 24, 2011

Children Are Our Future

The title is kind of a tongue twister isn't it?

As a teacher, I have said this saying many times, but now as a parent, it means even more to me. 

As a newbie in the world of blogging, I joined a writer's workshop hoping to improve my skills so people will actually want to read what I'm putting down. 

My first assignment: Write about a quote that means something to me. Well, there are tons of quotes that I have enjoyed over the years, but I wanted something that would pertain to my topic on this blog. I asked my friends on Facebook for their favorite quote, and out of my 200+ 'friends' I got three responses. Okay. So I turn to someone who is always there for me, my good friend, Google. I searched for environmental quotes and read through only a few before this one gave me goosebumps:

Because we don't think about future generations, they will never forget us.  ~Henrik Tikkanen

Deep, isn't it?

Anyone that knows me personally, knows I'm a bit of an environmentalist. I try my best to make good choices so that our Earth remains in tact for our future. 

Do you remember that movie, Wall-E? I took my nieces to see it in the theater and I am one of the only people I know who really enjoyed it. I was entertained and it opened my eyes even wider to the problems we are facing if we continue to abuse our Earth like we do now. 

When Jaelyn was two months old, we went on a two week vacation to visit family and friends in Oklahoma and Texas. I was nervous to use cloth diapers and travel so I decided that it would be easier to use disposables. Boy, was I mistaken!!

Almost as soon as I got to my aunt's house, Jaelyn had a blowout-her very first poop outside of the diaper experience. Disgusting, dirty and embarrassing! This was some of my family's first time meeting our baby and she was a stinky mess!

During the week, the trash was overflowing with used diapers and I could see how much actual waste paper diapers cause. Taking out the trash once a day and making sure I had enough diapers on hand so that I didn't have to run to the store was very annoying. 

The following week was more of the same-blowouts, washing little baby outfits in the sink, and taking out the trash. I was so ready to go home and use my cloth diapers again by the end of the trip.

I wonder if parents who use disposable diapers because they think the laundry is a hassle, or the poop will be too gross, or they are scared of leaks in public look into the future to imagine what the world will be like for their children. Most people say they want what is best for their kids' future, but it seems that's true as long as it's not an inconvenience today.

What would you rather look at? 

Disposable diapers at a dump

-OR-
Jaelyn's diapers line dried on our second vacation in Oklahoma




11 comments:

  1. Love your daughter's name :)

    Blow outs were the worst part about disposables. I honestly was shocked how cloth contained what sposies couldn't! Now we just have to change from spit up and drool, not poo messes!

    Thanks for stopping by Tales From the Nursery!

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  2. Thanks! I love her name, too!

    I am so glad for the contained poos!! It makes a world of difference! Thanks for reading!

    I'm sure I'll read some more from you:)

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  3. I LOVE those two photos of the cloth vs disposable diapers. I think people go for disposable because they are more convenient, and people don't want to deal with the poop. And I don't think enough people care about the environment. They have the philosophy "out of sight, out of mind" - it's truly sad.

    -DP

    Hip Chick's Guide to PMS, Pregnancy, and Babies

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  4. You're right DP! Out of sight really is out of mind for so many. I remember watching Slumdog Millionaire and was so shocked to see how much trash is everywhere. I'm sure it's not out of their minds:( I'm glad you liked the photos. It really puts it into perspective!

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  5. You make an excellent point girl!! I have been a disposable user but I see the light through your eyes.

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  6. I'm glad you read the post Pamela! I'm hoping that I can reach more people and open some more eyes through this blog:) Thanks for the workshop! I look forward to the next 'assignment.'

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  7. I wish I had been more informed about cloth diapers when my kids were babies. If I had known then what I know now I definately would have gone cloth! And that quote gave me chills too. It's message is very subtle yet very strong at the same time.
    Visiting from Bloggy Moms!
    http://allbtwnthelines.wordpress.com

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  8. I have the same issues with sposies! I hardly ever had leaks with my BG's but the first time we tried traveling without cloth we went thru at LEAST 2 outfits a day due to leaks! And I tried all different brands! Cloth is just soooo much better!

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  9. Um, that first picture is just gross. LOL. Thanks for the eye opening post!

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  10. I love this! I feel the exact same way about cloth - and greening our environment. We love our fluffy butts, and I love your fluffy picture! (BTW Mama B is having a cloth diaper event - extra entries for fluffy stash pics!)
    http://mamabblog.com/
    Thanks for the reminder!
    Emily
    Family and Life in Las Vegas

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  11. Mommylebron-you can always help other people with their new additions:)

    J-I've heard of a lot of people switching to cloth b/c of the blowouts. They are a mess and if you already have to wash the clothes, the diapers can't be much harder!

    Stephanie-it is gross! Glad you read the post!

    Emily-Thanks for sharing about the event! I will have to check it out!

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