Flats and Handwashing Challenge Day 3: Social Day
I didn't blog yesterday, partially because I'd already answered the day's preselected topic (Supplies! What are you using, how much did you pay for then, etc) and partially because it was an insane day. DD#2, aka the Captain, had dental surgery yesterday, under anesthesia, so the lion's share of the day was spent at Children's Hospital with the Captain, and if course Flipper too. (Jellyfish hung out with her Grammy.) We just diapered as we went, overcoming poo on his wool cover (washed/spot cleaned that in the hospital bathroom), underestimating the wetness of said wool and getting a damp spot on my leg, etc. All went well, the Captain woke like a lamb, and we headed home with just a ton of flats in my wetbag. When I got to wash in the evening, which was super-relaxing, I had 9 flats to pin on the line in the cool of the evening. It was a beautiful sight this morning.
Then today, I got the special treat of a mellow, social day. It made me reflect on our communal natures. First, as a family - Jellyfish was quite enthusiastic about helping today, agitating energetically and defying my expectations by remaining enthused all day! We did several loads of varying sizes. Caring for our smallest and neediest family members can and I believe should be something we share in. I am the only one who can nurse Flipper, but Daddy can diaper, Jellyfish can hold and apparently wash his diapers (!), the Captain can sing to him to distract him while I finish a hot wash... This is a team effort. And adding more hands-on, what Waldorf calls "meaningful work," was good for is all today.
Because, you see, my friend R and I, both doing the Challenge, have both had rough weeks. We both had kids in the hospital (hers was scarier) and both were, I think, about to go into introvert stress overload hide-in-the-corner mode. Well, I was, and I'm projecting. Anyway, "let's get together and wash and talk diapers" worked for us. We did just that, and watched each others' babies and swished each others' diapers, watched the big kids play in the diaper line and chatted. Our hands had good, meaningful work to do and that freed us in a strange way. And the satisfaction of silently contemplating our babies' clean diapers flying in the breeze was priceless. On a day when I would've been utterly useless, we worked together and accomplished something. It was a powerful remedy against despair, an encouragement of community. It was awesome.
In technical notes, after the initial morning wash of last night and this morning's diapers, I adopted a pretty much wash-as-you go approach, every couple of diapers. We did some washing in the sink, some in the bucket, depending on size of load and which temp we were at. This week I have filled my bucket to wash diapers in the kitchen sink, holding it up to the shower head, and with the hose. I have washed in the bucket, in the sink, with plunger, gloved hands, bare hands. I must say, it all works! (I particularly admire R's determination to wash a diaper in a public sink ad part of this challenge. Wow!) The further I get through this week, the more convinced I am this can work for any family. My lovely yard and clothesline are luxurious and make it more pleasant, I have done at least one load start-to-finish within doors and it is totally feasible. I do have a new appreciation of my washing machine, but doing without it, at least for diapers, isn't bad at all. And I love the clothesline. I will probably do just a ton of my drying outside from here on out.