Parvarish Journals

If you're a new parent, you've probably heard your grandparents telling you how lucky you are and singing the praises of disposable diapers. Way back then, the only option was cloth diapers, which require a ton of laundry work. See, less than thirty years ago, disposable diapers were considered a luxury. Nowadays, everyone uses cloth diapers and people that use cloth diapers for their babies are considered to be odd. There are several reasons that modern parents might want to use cloth diapers instead of disposables, and, believe it or not, cloth diapers are starting to make a bit of a comeback.

The main reason that a parent may choose to start using cloth diapers instead of the name brand disposables is the cost. Cloth diapers are much cheaper than disposables, even if the parents are paying a diaper service to haul away the used diapers and bring clean ones each week. Disposable diapers can easily cost well over one hundred dollars per month or more, and you'll be paying this expense every month for around two years. Many parents are starting to forgo the convenience of disposables to save this extra money.

There are also environmental issues to consider. Disposable diapers are made out of plastic and a pad of absorbent cotton. Plastic does not biodegrade well at all, which means that our landfills are filled with diapers that aren't going away anytime soon. Most people believe that the convenience offered by disposable diapers outweighs this fact. They might not


consciously make this choice, but their actions speak for themselves. Environmentalists believe that those who use cloth diapers are taking one small step which goes a long way to protect and preserve the Earth for future generations.

Those whiny parents and grandparents might still have a few bones to pick with today's parents who decide on using cloth diapers, because the today's cloth diapers are much different from those that they were using on their own kids and grandkids several decades ago. They are used to awkward folding and having to use safety pins to fasten the diaper to the baby. Modern cloth diapers are pre-cut and shaped to cover the baby's backside quickly and easily. They also have Velcro fasteners or snaps to make it easier to secure. One other added feature is that many cloth diapers now come with a flushable, biodegradable paper lining hold in solid waste so you can easily flush it down the toilet. So no more stinky diapers sitting around waiting for trash pickup day.

Cloth diapers are currently used by only a very small percentage of parents, but they are still out there and available. Any parent concerned with the cost or environmental impact of disposable diapers should seriously consider going with cloth.
About the Author

How Does it Work?

How Does Modern, No-Pins Cotton Diapering Work?

It combines a soft, three-panel diaper (the center panel is extra-thick and absorbent) with a velcro-fastening diaper cover. You just fold the diaper in thirds and trap it in place under the cover. That's all. No pins needed. (For summer and other times when you might want your baby to wear a diaper with no outer cover, you can use either pins or diaper clips. The slight added effort for these few occasions is balanced by the fact that disposables don't ever allow you the option of shedding the outer plastic covering for your baby's summer comfort.)

If I Want To Fold A Cotton Diaper The Traditional Way, How Do I?

It's easy with today's three-panel diaper, which is a far cry from the big, gauzy rectangle of yesteryear. Just follow these simple instructions:

1. Fold the diaper in thirds.

2. Open overlapping back section. Place baby on diaper with the wide top section centered at the baby's legs. Close in between the legs.

 

Bring the wide back ends of the diaper over the baby's hips and pin to the front section. Ease the pad section wider as necessary to comfortably encircle the baby below the navel. While pinning the diaper, insert your finger between the baby and diaper for baby's protection. Pin out as the picture shows.

Again, using a modern diaper cover over the diaper eliminates the need for pinning.

What if my baby has large thighs? Are there other traditional alternatives?

You might want to try a "bikini twist" fold. Again, just follow these simple instructions:

1. Lay the diaper flat.

2. Twist the diaper in the middle.

3. Bring the back ends of the diaper over the baby's hips and pin to the front section. Ease the pad section wider as necessary to comfortably encircle the baby below the navel. While pinning the diaper, insert your finger between the baby and diaper for baby's protection. Pin out as the picture shows.

Again, using a modern diaper cover over the diaper eliminates the need for pinning.

 

How Does A Diaper Service Work?

Although each diaper service may operate a little differently, here is a general idea of how the process works.

Diaper services are professional laundries, who rent reusable cotton diapers to families of infants, hospital nurseries, and day care centers. The diaper service delivers clean diapers, and picks up the soiled diapers on a weekly basis, and launders them, using professional equipment, and specially developed laundering formulae. The service essentially rents you the use of the diapers your baby needs, sized for the baby's age. Diaper services also sell or rent diaper covers to make using cloth diapers as convenient as using single-use diapers. Diaper services launder diapers to rigorous public-health standards that you couldn't possibly match at home, with thirteen changes of water and high-temperature drying that eliminates bacteria.

The service supplies a special hamper, with a professional quality deodorant, and a heavyweight plastic bag/liner for the hamper. Services will also provide professional automatic-closure diaper covers, if the customer wishes.

Price is based on the number of diapers contracted for, and the number may be increased or decreased, as needs change.

The following are step-by-step instructions to walk you through the process of starting service.

Instructions courtesy of Brian O'Neil of Dy-Dee Diaper Service of Pasadena, California.

Call your local diaper service (click here to locate a service near you), and a customer service representatives will help you decide the following questions or will provide you with the answers:

• How many diapers should I order per week?
• What size diapers would be best for my baby?
• What time of day will my diapers be delivered?
• Should I rent or purchase diaper covers or use pins?
• How do I fold the diapers?
• What much is the cost and when will the bill come?
• Help! How do I . . .?

While on the phone you can schedule your prebirth delivery. For your convenience, most services bring your first delivery of diapers a couple of weeks before your due date. That way you have diapers at home ready to use.

Contact your service when you need more diapers and are ready to begin the regular service.

No rinsing or soaking is required. It's as simple as placing the soiled diapers into the deodorized diaper container that your service provides.

Once a week, a driver will come right to your front or back door to pick up your soiled diapers and leave fresh ones for your baby. Your driver will come on the same day of the week every week, at around the same time of day, with a few exceptions during holidays. You don't need to be home for your delivery.

On your first and second deliveries you will receive the full number of diapers ordered. Thereafter you will be on a rotation system: the number of diapers you turn in one week will be returned to you the following week.

If you need to adjust the number of diapers in your order, or if you're going on vacation simply contact your service to make arrangements.

 

Taking the entire family out for an evening of fun can be exciting and something all DesiParents want to do on a regular basis. However, going out costs money and frequently it can cost more than the average family can afford. So, if you want to enjoy an evening with your family consider these 5 cheap nights out where you can really enjoy some family bonding while saving money at the same time.

Cheap Family Night #1 The Movies

I know you are thinking the movies are really expensive and there is no way you can afford to go. However, frequently during the week movie theatres offer specials, even 2 for 1 deals, to get more people in to see movies during the middle of the week. As a result, by taking your family to the movies on a Tuesday or Wednesday as opposed to Friday or Saturday you can save a lot of money. Also, consider popping popcorn at home and carrying it with you in a purse. That way you can enjoy popcorn without spending $5 for a small bag.

Cheap Family Night #2 Bowling

Bowling is a great family activity and like the movies many bowling alleys offer specials during the week, especially for kids. So, have a great dinner at home and head to the bowling alley. Of course, call ahead and find out when your local bowling alley offers specials for families and children.

Cheap Family Night #3 The Park and Ice Cream

All kids love to go to the park and since the park is free it is perhaps one of the best places to go! Your kids will love playing on the monkey bars and merry go rounds and you as parents will enjoy some family time and fresh air. Then, head to your local ice cream parlor and have a cone of your favorite flavor or buy a gallon of ice cream to enjoy at home.

Cheap Family Night #4 Local Sports Game

Many kids really love sports so consider a family night out to a local sports game, even a high school game. Entrance is inexpensive and it can be a lot of fun to watch local people playing a sport. Also, if you head to a high school game you can frequently pay entrance and see girls and boys play. A great family night out!

Cheap Family Night #5 Pizza and Arcade

Another great night out with the family can be enjoying a family size pizza and then playing games in an arcade. Not only will you have a great meal that is inexpensive, but the arcade games are generally inexpensive as well. You can give each child $2-3 in quarters and let them play until they are gone.

There are seven stages of potty training. They begin with showing signs of potty training readiness and conclude with being able to use the toilet away from home.

Signs of Readiness - The first stage of potty training begins when your child shows the following signs of potty training readiness:

 

• Expresses an interest in using the potty
  

   

• Irritated when diapers are wet
  

   

• Pull pants up and down by him or her self
  

   

• Stays dry for about two hours at a time
  

   

• Expresses the need to go potty (or indicate that he/she just has)
  

   

• Expresses an interest in cotton underwear
  

   

• Has predictable bowel movements
  

   

• Tries to imitate other family members
  

Introduction to the Idea of Potty Training – When your child shows a majority of the signs of potty training readiness, it’s time to introduce him to the concept of using the potty. This can be done by reading a potty training book as a bedtime story or watching a potty training video or DVD together. Purchase a potty chair and let your child watch you use the potty. Children will often imitate family members.

Sit On the Potty – When your child has been introduced to the concept of potty training, he will probably imitate family member and sit on his potty chair while you use the bathroom. This is a good time to teach good hygiene such as wiping and washing hands after using the potty.

Use the Potty Sometimes – Be sure to give your child plenty of liquids and take him to the potty every 30 minutes. This will help build muscle memory. The VibraLite watch can make potty training reminders fun for your child. The first time your child uses the potty, make a big deal of his huge accomplishment. A hug, encouraging words, or a small treat

 

can be good motivational tools.

Use the Potty Alone – As your child gets more comfortable with the potty and his ability to control his bodily functions, he will go to the potty by himself. He will then come tell you about it. Again, this is a time for lots of praise and encouragement.

Transition to the Toilet – When your child is comfortable using his potty seat, it’s time to transition him to the toilet. Many children are afraid of falling in, so you may need to purchase a toilet seat adapter such as the Flip-N-Flush. This device reduces the size of the toilet hole, thereby making you child feel more secure.

Use Potty Away From Home - The last stage of potty training occurs when your child is able to use the potty away from home. Thankfully, there are many portable and disposable toilet seats available to keep your child from touching public toilet seats.

Some children breeze through the seven stages of potty training in a matter of weeks while other’s take several months. Your child’s progress depends on his or her stage of development, your potty training knowledge/actions, as well as the potty training products you have available.

5 Points Yoga

To clarify the science of Yoga and make it easy for the majority of people, these universal principles are desired for the physical and the mental health of individuals as well as spiritual growth. These 5 points are necessary (although you may not choose to follow the vegetarian diet, but should aspire to it.) For optimal performance as a follower of yoga, these 5 principles constitute the essence of the teachings of Yoga Spirit Center.

1. Proper Exercise (Asanas) Our physical body is meant to move and exercise. We need the natural motion of muscles and joints or disease and discomfort could result. Proper exercise should be invigorating to the practitioner while enhancing to the body, mind and spiritual life.

2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama) Yoga teaches us how to use the lungs at their maximum capacity. Controlling the breath by using a 5:2:4:2 ratio. An exhale of 5 counts, holding for 2; an inhale of 4 counts, holding for 2. Proper breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical through the nostrils and belly. The belly rises on the inhalation and is drawn in on the exhalation. This increases vitality and mental clarity.

3. Proper Relaxation (Savasana) Yogis have used very powerful techniques of deep relaxation. It is important every day to spend time relaxing without any distractions. No TV, no radio! Find a relaxing spot in your home or outside with nature to "JUST BE!" By relaxing deeply, all the muscles the Yogi can thoroughly


rejuvenate the nervous system and attain a deep sense of inner peace.

4. Proper Diet (Vegetarian) Besides being responsible for building our physical body, the foods we eat profoundly affect our mind. For maximum body-mind efficiency and complete spiritual awareness, Yoga advocates a lacto-vegetarian diet. This is an integral part of the Yogic lifestyle. You will also want to seek out organic foods for their purity.

5. Meditation (Dhyana) The most important point of all is that we become what we think. Therefore, we should maintain positive and creative thoughts; these will contribute to vibrant health and a peaceful, joyful mind. Spend 5-15 minutes per day sitting in lotus, crossed-legged pose or seated in a chair. Let the thoughts come and let the thoughts go. It would be helpful also to repeat a mantra to calm the mind. "Om" is the perfect universal sound to repeat in your head. Concentration and relaxation will increase and thoughts will slow as you feel stress free!
About the Author

Carrie holds a Bachelor's Degree in Yoga Studies & Body-Centered Therapies. Her education began with ART, continued with Psychology, including Gestalt Therapy. Carrie has been instructing body sculpting for 2 decades. She is an initiate of Raja & Isha Yoga (Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev). She considers herself a "creatuitive" who pulls individuals inner intuitive resources to balance and nurture each soul & body. http://www.YogaSpiritCenter.com

The book has awesome altars of Lakshmi, Shiva Durga and Ganapati. It is a must have for any hindu parent living outside of India to help theie kids get familiar with such altars which are common if you are India but not so easy to find if you are living outside of India.

 

I was reading an old news paper today and read an article about a lady who started her business selling what she calls a Period Pak, which provides easy to understand information and name brand feminine products so girls will be ready when their periods arrive. The information booklet included is brightly illustrated with drawings of girls of varied ethnicities, and written for young girls with a positive outlook about what they are going through. I thought that was a great idea.

 So I started looking for educating material available online on this topic and found some...

 

 

I also found this on the WikiPediaand another interesting article about taboos with Meses

Indic

In Hinduism, a woman experiencing her period cannot be part of religious ceremonies for the first 4 days of the cycle.

In Buddhism (Theravada or Hinayana) menstruation is viewed as "a natural physical excretion that women have to go through on a monthly basis, nothing more or less". However Hindu belief and practice carried over into Thai buddhist culture.^[10] Furthermore some state that some sects of "Japanese Buddhism, in particular, has been characterised by a persistent anti-feminism" with menstruating women banned from attending temples.^[11]

Guru Nānak, the founder of Sikhism, condemned the practice of treating women as impure while menstruating.^[12]

Jainism does not permit women to cook or attend temples while menstruating.

 

And in another Article I Found here

During menstruation, a Hindu woman is considered "polluting", "dirty" or "impure" and the Manusmriti prescribes a ritual bath after menstruation ceases. Menstruating women do not attend temple services and a ritual bath is taken when bleeding ceases. Since menstruation is seen as "dirty", Hindu women do not even light the lamp in the shrines of their homes. The lighting of the lamp is an important part of ritual life.

(Story moral: Believe your own eyes than what you hear.)

 

 

Once there lived a pious brahmin in a village. He used to perform religious rituals. On one occasion he was rewarded with a cow by a rich man for his service. The brahmin started to bring the cow to his home. On the way, three rogues saw the brahmin bringing the cow. They were lazy and wanted to cheat the brahmin so that they could take away the cow. They hatched a plan.

The first person approached the brahmin and said, "Are you a washer man that you're pulling a donkey." The brahmin was annoyed at being mistaken for a washer man. He went on. A little later he was met by the second of the rogues. The second person asked him why being a brahmin he needed to pull a pig. Now the brahmin was confused but he went on. Some distance later he was met by the third person who asked him why he was pulling along a wild animal. Now the brahmin was totally confused and also afraid. He thought that it was a devil animal which took different forms. He ran away leaving the cow behind. The three tricksters laughed at the brahmin at having cheated the cow from the brahmin.

Story moral: Believe your own eyes than what you hear.