I read an interesting article on how to talk to your kids about 9/11 and was all prepared when my young sons asked about it this morning (they wanted to know why there was a commemorative ceremony at the baseball game they were watching on tv). When I started to answer them using the words and tone the article suggested they replied “Oh, the Twin Towers? We learned about that at school.” “Really?” I responded, “When?” “In Art class” they replied. Huh? In Art class? Has 9/11 and the wars that followed so desensitized us as a nation to the horrors of that day that 2nd graders are learning of it in Art? This was the defining moment of my adulthood. Like Pearl Harbor and the Kennedy Assassination that proceeded it, it is one of those days where everyone can tell you exactly where they were, what they were doing and how they felt when they first heard of it. It ended any innocence that remained and caused fear to be a unwelcome companion. Should something this consequential and life changing really be a topic in 2nd grade Art? Upon hearing of our sons’ history lesson, my husband and I sat down with them and provided a bit more detail than I am assuming they received over finger paints and glitter.

So, on this 10th Anniversary day, I will not blog about diapers but I will do a giveaway as we all need something fun and happy to which we can look forward. One of our favorite Made in the USA diapers, Thirsties, has recently added new prints to its diaper cover line. They are sweet and delightful and make me smile whenever I see them. We will give away one of these new covers (you pick the size and print) via a random drawing from the entrants.

In order to enter, please do one or all of the following (doing all four gives you four entries!):

- Comment below on how you discuss 9/11 with your children

- Fan Cottontail Baby on Facebook

- Fan the Cloth Diaper Retailer Cooperative on Facebook

- Join the Cottontail Baby mailing list

I am Kathleen, owner of both Cottontail Baby andMamaclothonline and, most importantly, mother to three young boys. It is in my Mom role that I have been reading with great interest the news that San Francisco is considering a ballot initiative that would outlaw circumcision for boys under 18. The ban would make circumcising minors punishable by a fine of $1000 and up to one year in jail. There would be no religious exemptions. The more I read and the more I learn, the more I am finding myself quite conflicted about this proposed ban.

Certainly, on the one hand, circumcision is a form of mutilation of the body of a very much innocent and helpless infant. If God made it this way, why do we need to tamper with it as the actor Russell Crowe infamously tweeted earlier this week? I agree with this and feel the same way regarding this and a whole host of cosmetic procedures.

On the other hand, I do understand all the studies that indicate the health issues related to circumcision (some studies in Africa suggest that circumcision helps stop the spread of AIDS). I also understand the cultural and religious rituals associated with circumcision especially amongst Muslims and Jews and the importance placed on this rite of passage in both religions. Circumcision is so important to both groups that a ban of the practice could be seen as violating one’s First Amendment rite to practice one’s religion as one sees fit.

One study I read indicated that while only 30% of males world wide are circumcized, over 80% of males in the US are circumcized. Clearly, this is a US cultural issue in many ways. I am curious to know why this is so important and prevelent in our country but significantly less so world wide? Does it have something to do with our anti-septic, shrink wrapped culture? Are we just a nation of conformers and afraid, even for our tiny infants, to go against the norm? Are we lemmings who do not think for ourselves but just blindly and unquestionably approve unnecessary procedures?

One issue in the debate that I find most interesting is the dichotomy between what is good for the males and what is good for the females (female genital mutilation). Female circumcision (the removal of the clitoris) is illegal in this country. The San Francisco ban would simply provide males the same protection that is already enjoyed by females. I have yet to speak to any parent who believes in circumcision for boys who feels the same way for girls. Why is that? Is it that the process for girls is so much more barbaric (done when they are so much older and in such a crude fashion leading to significant illness, disfigurement and, occasionally, death)? I think that has to be part of it. In addition, for boys, circumcision is done for religious and health reasons but for girls, it is a cultural practice designed to repress women by eliminating their ability to experience sexual pleasure.

In the end, is this simply a parents rights issue? Does the government really need to legislate every choice parents make for the children? Is this just another in a long line of Big Brother laws such as outlawing spanking, criminalizing parents when their children misbehave (many laws that penalize and, in some cases, jail parents for having truant children for instance) or criminalizing parents who smoke in cars in which their children are riding.

What do you think? Is this a clear cut issue for you or are there many shades of grey? What would you do if you lived in San Francisco and this law passes?

GIVEAWAY

In terms of a giveaway for this sunny month of June, I would like to give a Thirsties Fab Duo. The relatively new Fab Duos are so soft and squishy and remind me of wrapping up in a towel after a long day at the beach. They come in fun, summertime colors such as mango, ocean and honeydew. No matter what you choose to do in regards to circumcision, these are great, comfy, wonderful diapers for your children.

So, to enter the drawing, you need to do the following:

1. Comment on this blog post and tell us what you think
2. Fan Cottontail Baby on Facebook
3. Fan the Cloth Diaper Retailers Cooperative on Facebook
4. Join the Cottontail Baby mailing list

Good luck!

Ironically, I am NOT Made in the USA

We have been getting lots of questions lately regarding which of our brands are Made in the USA. Almost all of them are with a few big exceptions.  The very popular Mother-ease, Aristocrat and Bummis diapers and covers are all made way up north in Canada.  Imse Vimse (fun fact: Imse Vimse means “Itty Bitty” in Swedish) is a Swedish brand and Snappis, like the amazing World Cup we all just witnessed, come from South Africa.

Here is a list of some of our absolute favorite diapers, covers and accessories proudly Made in the USA.

But I am!

All Together

Baby Kicks

Drybees

FussyButt

Happy Heinys

Happy Tushies

Kissaluvs

Leslie’s Boutique

Mommy’s Touch

Rocky Mountain

Sheepish Grins

Stacinator

Swaddlebees

Thirsties

Wahmarama

Wahmies

Thirsties Duo Diaper in Meadow and Rose

Wonderful Thirsties recently introduced the Duo Diaper.  It is a natural evolution of their terrific Duo Wrap Diaper Covers which have been best sellers since their introduction earlier this year.  These Diapers are great as they have a wonderful snap system that allows you to adjust the diaper to fit your growing baby.  So, instead of having to buy multiple sizes, just TWO sizes should get you through from newborn to potty learning.  I love that.  Like everyone else, we are working on being more frugal and making every dollar we spend count a little more.  This helps a tremendous amount.

Honeydew

Orchid

Like all Thirsties products, these diapers come in wonderful colors.  Currently, honeydew and orchid are my favorites. They have all the high quality features we have come to expect from Thirsties.  Great leg gussets that stop leaks from happening, microfiber terry and hemp insert that is super absorbent and a great sleeve design that allows for easy stuffing.  Everyone should have these as part of their stash.  They really are that good.

So, have you tried a Duo Diaper?  If so, what do you think?  Do you love them as much as I do?

Thirsties Cover

Thirsties Duo Wrap in Mango

The Thirsties cover is a modern day classic.  Simple, economical, sturdy and reliable.  It comes it dozens of wonderful colors and just doesn’t fail.  They are very easy to care for and just go on forever.  They work with all the different types of diapers in my stash…flats, prefolds, fitteds. Now, with the new Duo-Wrap by Thirsties they are an even better deal.  The adjustable rise allows the diapers to stay in rotation twice as long.  Your baby will not grow out of these for a ages.

Aristocrats

Aristocrat Wool Cover

What can you say about the Aristocrat Wool Cover other than it is the gold standard of wool covers.  I is the perfect natural fiber for diaper covers.  It is anti-microbial, breathable and absorbs up to 1/3 of its weight in liquid before it begins to feel wet.  Properly lanolized, this cover just does not leak.  Wonderful for overnights, an Aristocrat is also terrific for daytime.  Want to a add a bit of whimsy to your cover?  Dye it.  Kool-Aid is my preferred type of dye but any will do.  The Aristo must be part of every cloth diapering parent’s stash.  A tad more expensive, certainly, but well worth every penny.

The Imse Vimse Wool Cover

Imse Vimse Wool Cover

I love the entire Imse Vimse line.  Premium diapers materials coupled with excellent craftsmanship make this Swedish line one of my all time favorites.  The Imse Vimse wool cover gives all the protection of wool but in a wrap format.  A hybrid of the Aristo and Thirsties in many ways.  Wonderful leak proof protection, breathable, simple to get on and off.  A perfect cover.

The Mother-ease Cover

Mother-ease Air Flow Cover

The Air-Flow Snap Cover is a wonderful product by Mother-ease, a name we already associate with high-quality cloth diapers.  The Air-Flow has a marvelous system of snaps that allows for air ventilation keeping the temperature down and reducing the risk of bacteria build up in the cover.  When coupled with a Mother-ease one size or Sandy diaper, this provides a leak-proof diapering system.  I especially love the new Eco-themed prints.

The Kozy Wool Soaker

Kozy Designs Wool Soaker

I love my Kozy Wool Soakers.  They are fun, vibrantly colored wool covers that do not sacrifice absorbency despite their cute styles.  They come in a range of sizes from soakers, to shorties to longies.  Hand knit out of 100% Merino wool, these are wonderful day time wool covers for your baby.

Thirsties Duo Wraps

Thirsties has been a favorite of ours for quite some time.  They make simple, waterproof cloth diaper covers in terrific colors.  They are an essential part of any diapering mom’s stash.  Well, Thirsties has done it again and introduced the Duo Wrap.  The Duo Wrap has an adjustable rise which allows for each size to last twice as long.  It comes in two sizes.  Size One takes an infant from 6 to 18lbs and Size Two takes the baby from 18 to 40lbs.  They also have three rows of snaps to allow the wraps to be adjusted to each baby’s unique shape.  

The Duo Wraps have all the other features we love in our Thirsties sized covers…waterproof, breathable fabric, super soft leg gussets, PVC-free, phthalates-free, lead-free, and latex-free AND they come in all the wonderful Thirsties colors (Storm Cloud is our favorite).  Check them out!