I seem to have come down with some type of upper respiratory bug and I feel pretty terrible. I had to go to the doctor today because I was actually worried that I was coming down with the flu. And as all us moms know, “We ain’t got no time for that!” lol.
I stay home with my daughter, so I don’t have to worry about sending her to daycare. Instead, when I need some coverage I call Grandma and Grandpa. We are lucky enough that we still have both sets of grandparents around. I am so thankful for that and so grateful for all of their help.
A little back story about my parents: My mom and dad were super supportive of my decision to cloth diaper Sophia. My mom has mentioned numerous times that they are awesome! Thanks Mom! My husband’s parents were a little different. While I am not totally sure of what they thought of my cloth diapering decision, I know my Mother-in-Law had planned on buying disposables to use while Sophia was at her house. Fast forward to now.
Grandma never got to use those disposables on Sophia and I think they have came around on the cloth diapers. It helps that my husband is also a vocal supporter of cloth diaper fabulousness.
So back to today. I went to my doctor’s appointment and came back without a hitch. Sophia was happily playing with Grandma and Grandpa. As they were getting ready to leave, my in-laws let me know that Sophia had pooped and they did the best they could with the diaper, it was in the wetbag.
Great, no problem! They left and I went to investigate exactly what they had done with that poopy diaper. I found exactly what they had said I would find. A poopy diaper in the wetbag. Along with the disposable wipes they had used all smooshed up into one neat package.
I have explained… on more than one occasion … the proper procedure for Number 2’s. But I also give an out such as “If you’re not comfortable with that, just leave it in the bathroom and I’ll take care of it later.” I’m not sure where the disconnect happened.
After I cleaned up the pooplosion I had to giggle a little. I guess this is what I get for forcing my fabulous cloth diapers on unsuspecting grandparents. I know that there were many people probably using cloth diapers 30 years ago, but I don’t think our parents were among them.
My husband thinks that I should tell them what they did was wrong and explain how to do it right! I think that everyone seems to be happy and I don’t really mind a little mess once in a while. What do you think? Should I tell them again, or let it slide and just be thankful that they are using my cloth diapers?
Jenn is a long-time cloth diaper educator and a passionate small business advocate. She has worked in the reusable diaper industry for over a decade, helping millions of families via her websites All About Cloth Diapers, Thinking About Cloth Diapers and Cloth Diaper Geek as well as hundreds of small businesses during that time. Her goal always to provide simple, reliable information.
Andrea (Grandrea) says
I am so happy that my 44 year old son is about to become a daddy and he and my daughter-in-law are going to be cloth diapering. At last…something I’m good at. My babies were cloth diapered because, at the time, that was the only option. I never did get the hang of disposables.
Jill says
let it go
Alanna Y. says
I wouldn’t say a word. They didn’t do anything that was a major problem. They did the best they felt they could do and I say kudos to them. It’s not worth creating family drama over one poopy diaper.
Just an FYI about disposable wipes and the washing machine. I use cloth diapers and wipes for regular everyday and night diapering, but when we are traveling I use disposables (diapers and wipes). Inevitably I end up with some disposable wipes left over when we get home and they end up getting used. Some found their way into my cloth diaper pail without me knowing and went through the wash with the diaper load and then into the dryer with the prefolds and inserts. Those disposable wipes came out of the dryer looking like lovely white cloths. They were fully intact and clean as a whistle. I almost considered wetting them and using them again they were in that good of shape. So if some disposable wipes go through the wash it’s not the end of the world.
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Alanna, I have done that too. But mine were shredded and stuck in some of my Velcro diapers. I guess some disposable wipes are a little hardier than others, lol!
Kirstin says
At first, all 4 grandparents thought I was insane. My FIL said, “You’ll be using Pampers in a week.” My parents, who know just how stubborn I am, were sure I’d make it work but they didn’t understand why I didn’t want to take the easy way out and use disposables. I’m so cheap I squeak, so they were just never an option.
My parents (especially my Mom) have really come around and she’ll watch the kids for me and use cloth with no problems. The only exception is overnight stays, because our nighttime setup is so complicated that I know she can’t figure it out. I’m lucky to have a mom who’s willing to do it.
Rebekah says
I read this with jealousy because the one and only time my in laws watched our daughter the called us home because she pooped and they didn’t feel like they could clean it up. I even had her in sposies especially for them because they seemed so intimidated by cloth!
Amanda says
Please don’t tell them they did anything wrong (unless she has an allergic reaction to those wipes, in which case you may need to find an alternative type of disposable wipes to keep at grandma’s house). They used the cloth diapers and did their best. I think it’s great that they are willing to watch the baby while you are ill. As awful as this sounds, some grandparents wouldn’t even bother to change the baby (trust me).
Jennifer Reinhardt says
No Amanda. My lips are sealed. I’m happy to have their help and I think they are really trying. We love them dearly and I think my husband just said that because its HIS parent’s.
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Amanda, we are so thankful that our parent’s are so willing to help with our daughter. I don’t know what I would do with out them.
Julie says
Kudos that they try. My MIL and even my husband tend to put the diapers on wrong, so putting a diaper in a wet bag with poop and disposable wipes is not a big deal to me. I’d let it go. I hope you feel better soon.
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Thank you Julia, so do I ;)
Nikki says
Hilarious story! This has also happened to me. Sometimes you just have to laugh, and let it slide.
Katie says
I would not say anything more to them. I set a very low bar for people that are changing diapers for me. I figure that as long as they got the old one off and in the wet bag and a new one on they have done the job perfectly. If the poop remaining on the diaper really bothers you then I would invest in flushable liners so that getting rid of the poo is very simple.
sharona kahen says
Just be grateful that they help out when you nred them. Regardless of how the change diapers.
Sue Smith says
I guess it depends how you want them to clean it up! I’m a grandma who is very supportive of cloth diapers, so I probably would do whatever it took, spray, dunk whatever! My husband on the other hand would definitely not spray or dunk! Fortunately my daughter uses a disposable liner in her cloth diapers, so a paper towel to pick up the liner and poo is about all it takes!! She has twin babies who have very sensitive skin and requires baby ointment, so the liners are a must.
Bonita says
I live with my parents, and no matter how much I explain to “do this or that”, only about 5% stick. I wouldn’t say anything because at least they let you know! I would be grateful they changed it (even if there was disposable wipes with it).
Jennifer Reinhardt says
That’s exactly what I was thinking Bonita! lol, I know they heard me when I told them what to do, so what else could I do to force the point. Its not worth it.
Trisha W. says
I wonder if you could leave a separate wet bag for them to put they poopy disposable wipes in. Then you could say you are trying something new and explain if there’s a #2 and they use disposable wipes that the wipes go in a bag separate from the washable diapers. So basically a diaper bag and a trash bag. Another thought is to give them some flushable wipes. Then the wipes can go in the toilet and not accidentally into your washer.