Day 7 – The End is Here.
For some of us, tonight is the last night of the challenge and we will get to return to our washing machines on Monday morning. But for some, this is not the end, but the continuation of their every-day practice. We have read stories in the group which showcase many of these stories and experiences. It’s important to honour those conversations, support those families, and continue to find ways to inform and champion a multitude of diapering options.
Curious about the stats from the 2019 Flats & Handwashing Challenge
Not getting emails? – Read Today’s Email here- sign up direct to the mailing list here – https://www.clothdiaperpodcast.com/flats-challenge-email-sign-up/ – for some reason some emails are glitching. Be sure to check your spam folder. You can also find the daily email on my facebook page.
- join the conversation in the comments or on social media.
- If you choose to share on social media use #FlatsChallenge and tag me @clothdiaperpodcast so that I can cheer you on (I’ll try to read as many as I can see, and have time for)
- Share your links in the comment section of today’s blog post. You can also share them on our daily Facebook group thread.
- Don’t forget to include a brief link, info and/or tag me. If your blogging or sharing on YouTube – ““I’m participating in the Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by the Cloth Diaper Podcast. This event ______”
- Disclose any and all brand partnerships, free product, sand affiliate links as per FTC guidelines. Focus should be on the greater conversation of cloth diapering, and not on advertising brands.
Today’s Topic: How did it go? What did you learn?
My heart is heavy.
I don’t know what to write today- I know that many of you are struggling to process many of the recent current events. My email list for this challenge is a mix of people from around the world and across the United States. Black Lives Matter.
I am a middle-class white woman hosting a week long challenge about hand washing cloth diapers. There is so much disconnect in that sentence. I struggle with that every. single. year. I continue to champion and advocate for this challenge and the conversations that we have because we do make a difference in the lives of some. There are families who learn about cloth diapering, hand washing, and the accessibility of it all – and they find a way to diaper that works for their family and eases the financial and emotional burden of diaper need.
I know some of you sit in privilege during this challenge.
I know that some of you don’t.
But we can all come together and continue to be a voice that helps normalize cloth diapering. I think through the normalization of cloth diapering – as something we can do and is not a shame on society – that we can support families in making choices that work for them. Because this challenge is not about forcing people to cloth diaper because they are unable to afford diapers. It’s about letting people know it’s an option if you are willing and able.
Please continue to have conversations about cloth diapering after this challenge. This challenge doesn’t end tonight at the strike of midnight. What you have learnt and experienced will live with you and I hope that it shapes the conversations that you do have.
Many of you will end this challenge unsure of how anyone does this full time.
Some families do.
They don’t all participate – they might not have internet in their homes, the extra time to join a Facebook group, or the spoons in their day to advocate for diapering.
Check your feelings and make sure that you remember that you’re able to make those thoughts, comments and feelings because you have an option. And sometimes that option isn’t available – you can’t just do it ABC-way.
If you don’t know – I host a podcast, the Cloth Diaper Podcast – and I love sharing stories. A few years ago, I learnt to sit down and shut up. This was lesson in making way for the stories of other people and other experiences. I would love to share your experience cloth diapering, your wash routine, your struggle, and your success. Every persons story is valuable and helps shape this community. It inspires other parents to know that they are not alone. If this is something you want to do, send me an email. The invitation to chat is always open. Never hesitate to slide into my emails.
Previous Challenges
2020 Values
This challenge is about the conversation of Diaper Need – and the practicalities of repurposing materials, buying cheap or used, and washing without regular access to electric washing/drying facilities.
Let this thought shape your conversations, your intent, and your passion behind this year’s challenge.
You are welcomed to share below.
If you blog, vlog, or create content elsewhere, please share your links in the comment section. This will be how we do the link up this year. I’ll be approving comments periodically during the day.
If you want to just share your experience as a comment, that is very much encouraged too.
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About the Cloth Diaper Podcast
The Cloth Diaper Podcast is a somewhat regular podcast sharing stories from cloth diaper parents, brands and retailers from around the world.
The Cloth Diaper Podcast is not affiliated with any school of thought of diaper laundry but instead focus on the power of peer-to-peer story telling to empower you to make your own cloth diaper journey.
Cloth Diapering is not this or that, but rather many different experiences.
Contact Us
Email: bailey@clothdiaperpodcast.com
Cloth Diaper Podcast is located in Northern BC, Canada.
I can’t wait for next year! https://youtu.be/3q28vM0M6lY