Celebrate Diversity & Unity Through Cloth Diapers #ClothCommunity

Join us February 2nd as we celebrate the cloth diapering community. It’s a day in which parents everywhere celebrate our diversities and our unity. #ClothCommunity Day is a campaign brought to you from many of your favorite cloth diaper bloggers. I have to give most of the credit to Mindy (Inquisitive Mom) for organizing the communities efforts to bring this to life.

As a community, we’ve been online for 6 years chatting about cloth diapers on our blogs and social media. My own journey with cloth began 6 years ago when my daughter was born and I reached out to the internet to research this new, modern cloth diaper. It’s really funny to go back and read some of my early cloth diaper posts. I was just like many new moms that I encounter on a daily basis – nervous, confused, overwhelmed, and full of questions! You can laugh along with me here, and here, and here if you like.

It was back then that I formed some of the friendships with other bloggers, companies, and readers. It’s crazy to think that many of us started this crazy ride together! Anyone remember when Kim did her Fluffy Mama series?? Or the time we all tried to get cloth diapers on the Ellen show? Or what about my time as a Twitter Party hostess giving out cloth diapers like Oprah?? It was back in those days that we all became “friends!”

One of the things we learned early on was that we all do things slightly different, and that’s ok! Did you know that I didn’t cloth diaper my first child? Did you know that I didn’t start using cloth diapers on my little one until she was almost 8 weeks old? Guess what? I used disposables a few times too. I never stuck to one detergent and I loved Rockin’ Green! I didn’t have a stash of 100 diapers; I only had 20-30 for the first year! You know what else? My daughter turned out just fine!

I’m so tired of the mommy drama and mom wars battling over who’s “right!” I’m so tired of seeing mom’s belittled for asking the “wrong” question in the “wrong” group! There are things that I may be VERY passionate about (let’s just not talk about knock-offs today, ok) and I know that I’m probably guilty of making some mom feel bad about her choices. I truly hope that I have learned better ways to approach delicate subjects with kindness and caring. I hope that I will continue to reach out to every new mom who asks me a question about cloth diapers with compassion.

What is Cloth Community Day?

Cloth diaper enthusiasts are invited to share positive affirmations on February 2nd through their favorite social media sites, emphasizing the belief that “there is no one right way to cloth diaper.” To participate, simply hand write or print a sign with your unique affirmation and #clothcommunity. You may also use the phrase “We don’t all cloth diaper the same way, and that’s okay. Love your babies and love your fluff.”

Be sure to include the hashtag #clothcommunity. Hold the sign up in front of yourself and take a photo to personalize your message. Share the positivity far and wide – on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, blogs, and more!

The modern cloth diaper virtual community started with a few passionate, committed individuals. Today, it is a thriving international community, welcoming new individuals and families every day.

Families choose cloth for a variety of reasons; often turning to blogs, retail sites, local and national groups, as well as manufacturers, for information. Many come to save money, reduce their environmental footprint, or to find a natural diapering alternative. They stay because they are welcomed into a vibrant community.

Any community infused with such a diversity of individuals, often relying on online communication, is bound to experience challenges. Mingled with positive advice and burgeoning friendships, our community sees differences of opinions, conflicting advice, and passionate discourse. This can sometimes lead to contention, but these differences don’t need to divide or define us.

“Every individual or organization that shares their passion and commitment to cloth diapers contributes to our collective community,” says Mindy Farmer, author of The Inquisitive Mom Blog. “We are enriched by these contributions, often accomplishing amazing things every day; from helping a mom decide where to start with cloth, to troubleshooting a laundry routine with a frustrated dad, to helping make cloth accessible for a family in need, to creating new and innovative cloth diapering options.”

Farmer continues, “Just as there is no one right way to be a good parent, #clothcommunity affirms that there is no one right way to cloth diaper your child. When our in-person and online interactions put this idea at the forefront, emphasizing respect and community, we all benefit.”

Let’s celebrate diversity on February 2nd and unite our cloth diaper community! Share your cloth diaper affirmations with us via social media on February 2nd by writing them on a piece of paper, take a picture of you holding the sign, and share it with the #clothcommunity hashtag on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. I can’t wait to see your affirmations and your love for the cloth diaper community.