Petunia Picklebottom versus the Diaper-free Baby
To diaper or not to diaper? This is the question defining the diaper-free debate now making its presence known in modern America. The idea is to give up the Huggies in lieu of learning your cupcake's "natural rhythms" of when they have to potty, thus eliminating the need for diapers.
Sounds tempting, doesn't it? After all, it is well known that disposable diapers are messy, expensive, and environmentally incorrect. In fact, a recent New York Times article found that disposable diapers clutter landfills at the rate of 22 billion per year, and cost about $3,000 per child annually. But before you go trashing your Pampers supply, consider the connotations of a diaper-free reality.
For one thing, is a well known fact that a decrease in modern convenience must result in increased (wo)manual labor. In this case, the burden of increased exertion falls squarely on the shoulders of already time-starved, harried parents. According to conventional diaper-free methods, in addition to all their other parental duties, parents will now be expected to check in with their cupcake every ten to twenty minutes for signs of "elimination communication" (EC). EC is really just a PC way of saying parents will now be expected to analyze their cupcakes' body language, facial expressions, and limited vocals for indications that they are about to go potty.
In other words, the science behind this new idea relies on something as slight as a kick, a squirm, or an "intense look" to show your cupcake has to go, according to the list of tip-offs on the Diaper-Free Baby website. Needless to say, short of psychic powers there is no way a parent can be expected to know her cupcake has to potty from these tot-typical behaviors (Can you tell why your baby is crying just by looking at it?).
In addition to unconvincing methods, the natural rhythms notion is also a myth that must be debunked. Anyone who's ever had a little cupcake of their own knows in the formative years, most infants are unaware themselves that they are going to potty, so how can they be expected to communicate their urge to their parents? Expecting such communication is putting a huge burden on both the parent and child, and will surely end in failure.
In addition to questionable logic, the diaper-free method requires a huge time investment. To disciple their child into diaper-freedom, a parent must hold their baby over the toilet every ten to twenty minutes making shee-shee sounds, in hopes that the cupcake will catch on and go potty. Of course, any parent loves to invest time and energy in their cupcake, but this is hardly the best way to do it. This kind of intensive toilet time severely limits your cupcakes' availability for playgroups, outdoor activities, and Mom and Me Pilates, to say nothing of the parent's isolation.
That's right, we at Shop Cupcake care about parents too, and we recognize the strain potty issues put on mom and dad. That's why our products move with the times to bring you the most up-to-the-minute modern conveniences to make parenting a little easier. Shop Cupcake provides the latest Petunia Picklebottom and Diaper Dudes, the trendiest diaper bags around. Perfect for the modern parent-on-the-go, Shop Cupcake recognizes that for today's busy parent, speed, style, and convenience are paramount, and our products reflect that.
Instead of spending all day at home, hovering over the toilet simulating the sound of urination, wouldn't you rather pack your Diaper Dude or Petunia Picklebottom, grab your morning latte and head to the park to hang out with the other mothers and fathers while your little cupcake joins the batch? Our guess is yes, and we at Shop Cupcake are here to help you do just that! Check out our latest line of chic Diaper Dudes and Petunia Picklebottoms, in celebration of the fact that being a parent is about much more than being a professional potty-trainer. It's about helping your cupcake, and yourself, to live a full, happy, and healthy life! And if you're worried about the expense and environmental impact, remember, there's always cloth diapers!
Some information taken from:
The New York Times
Slate Magazine
Diaper-Free Baby.org
