Gotribe,

 

I definitely wouldn't say "most of the kids at Ignatius" are pretty much from the suburbs. I don't have exact statistics and I can't speak for St. Eds, but I know that there is a very sizable portion of students from within the city limits at St. Ignatius.

 

And Ctownrocks1 is absolutely right...they do a lot to promote the city of Cleveland.

 

There are a lot of misconceptions about Ignatius' student body. While the tuition is high, the average financial aid package makes the true cost of tuition lower than St. Eds. Because of this, Ignatius has a more diverse student body and actually pulls in a greater percentage for Cleveland than St. Eds does. Taking a look at the Ignatius' football team you'd think that the student body all come from Bay and Westlake, but that is not the reality.

Just laugh about it. And trust me, kids are tough, tough, tough, when they are at grandma and grandpa's or aunt and uncles. I could imagine the time you were having!

 

That's my whole philosophy for life now. I'm only 23 but I've been through hell and back due to a lot of things out of my control but I started to find humor in it :) I still love my nephews to death, even the terrorist. The best thing about kids is that even when they get on your nerves sometimes, they remind you to lighten up. They find humor and joy in everything around them. Nothing like taking them out to Galaxy or Chuck-E-Cheese and seeing their eyes light up like a pin-ball machine.

 

The more and more you're on this forum, the more Dr. Phil you become.

I can definitely attest to one way of getting your kids to behave: play rugby, and make sure they watch.

 

It's really effective when they're oh, around 4 or 5 years old and you happen to do a head-on collision with an opposing player, leaving you with a gash on your forehead (and of course blood streaming down your face like a horror movie victim) and the other player a concussion. Of course you have to be helped off the field but the real trick is getting stitched up fieldside and going back into the game 10 minutes later(!!!!). Did I mention the person doing the fieldside stitchup was Mom (she was in nursing school so she knew what she was doing)?!? Yeah, and people wonder why my brother and I never really got into much trouble. Rugby, folks.

 

In all seriousness, I think the biggest mistake parents make today is not putting a healthy amount of fear/respect into their kids. I mean really - trying to "negotiate" with an obstinate toddler because you don't want to oppress his budding emotions? Pffft!!!

Also, on a side note, I am two cans away of buying formula ever again! I think we own half of Nestle by now.

Now onto your final crate of diapers.

 

Breastfeeding and cloth diapering here still. Woo hoo! I sure hope we can keep the BF up as long as I want. With his dairy problem, we'd be shelling out enormous money for one of those special formulas if we had to switch.

 

Very cool!  We're going to look into cloth diapering as well.  There is a store a block from me that sells many types of cloth diapers and offers workshops on how to use them.  This just reminded me that I need to sign up for one of the workshops. 

 

Is your son in day care, or does he have a baby sitter?  Are they okay with using the cloth diapers?

My son splits up his week between my mother and a home daycare.  As my Mom wanted to take him 2-3 days a week, which saves us a lot of money (we are paying her, but not that much), we had to go with a home daycare for the remainder of the week as no daycares will take a baby part time, at least not up here.  It's been absolute hell to find a good home daycare provider as I've been pretty exacting with my standards; there are a lot of them out there, but most of them are SAHMs and either their kids are a terror or you can tell they'd always put their kids first.  I did hire someone and then fired her after my son had only been there about 6 times because she had ridiculous demands, like all parents had to bring her a certain package of lysol wipes so she could wipe down everything in the play area (um, that's why we PAY you) and her basement was really, really cold and she refused to put a heater down there (this is where the kids are all day) and told me I didn't know how a house works because I live in an apartment.  But then I found a really great woman who we are very happy with, she's in her 50s and her kids are grown and she has 4 children during the day; one of whom is a baby little RNR's age, so they have become daycare friends, which is nice.  The other 2 children she has are toddlers so they pretty much hang with each other, and the 2 babies hang together so it's very manageable.  My original home daycare bitch refused to use cloth (after she said she would in the interview; yet another reason why we ended up getting rid of her) but both my Mom and the other lady we're with now are totally fine with cloth.  PM me if you have any questions about cloth - it can be overwhelming because of all the choices at first, and I can tell you what worked for us was getting a sampler packet (nickisdiapers.com has a good one, I think greenmountaindiapers.com does as well) so that we could try a variety of types and figure out what works for us.  But we can take this discussion off line if you're interested, just let me know.  It saves a TON of money and is mostly no more difficult than disposables.

We did cloth as well.  The only drawback in xumelanie's case would be that I don't believe she has an in-unit washer/dryer, which is pretty much essential to that operation IMO.

Actually, XUMelanie and I do have an in-unit washer and dryer.  That will make her job doing all the diaper work much easier  :-).

We did cloth as well. The only drawback in xumelanie's case would be that I don't believe she has an in-unit washer/dryer, which is pretty much essential to that operation IMO.

 

I don't have an in unit washer dryer.

Actually, XUMelanie and I do have an in-unit washer and dryer. That will make her job doing all the diaper work much easier :-).

 

You're not getting out of diaper work!

rockandroller, that does sound like a great arrangement for little rnr. That first provider does sound ridiculous, especially with the cold basement!  I'm surprised anyone would allow this woman to watch their kids all day. 

To me, it would not have been worth it if we had to haul the diapers to the basement and shove a bunch of quarters in a machine.  The way we washed them, started with a purely rinse cycle, then a full wash cycle, so that's two sets of quarters, plus isn't it a bit rude to wash your diapers in the same machine the guy next door uses for his dress shirts?  I mean sometimes there are poop remnants in the machine.

 

We did hang them out to dry in good weather too, which saves $$.

To me, it would not have been worth it if we had to haul the diapers to the basement and shove a bunch of quarters in a machine. The way we washed them, started with a purely rinse cycle, then a full wash cycle, so that's two sets of quarters, plus isn't it a bit rude to wash your diapers in the same machine the guy next door uses for his dress shirts? I mean sometimes there are poop remnants in the machine.

 

We did hang them out to dry in good weather too, which saves $$.

 

It isn't ideal, to be sure, but the washers are sparkling clean when they're done, we have always checked that. And really, I mean, if you had an accident yourself, or if you got really drunk and threw up your clothes, you'd wash them in that washer, wouldn't you? 

 

We do pay extra and do the "super" cycle to make sure they're completely rinsed of detergent; the super is an extra rinse, longer wash and longer soak.  We're not allowed to hang anything outside or we would totally do that to save money.  When we try to hang dry them inside, some of them take 2-3 days to dry which is not acceptable for us, so we end up drying them once, then laying them flat in front of a fan overnight to make sure they're thoroughly dry.

 

xumelanie - yeah, the last straw was when she told me I had "slammed" her front door so hard when I left one morning that she almost called the police after I left so they could inspect it for destruction of property.  I closed it firmly, no way did I slam it, and let me tell you, if you're $400,000 mc mansion cannot take someone shutting a door firmly, you are in a lot of trouble.  I wish she would have called the police, they would have laughed in her face.

More power to those who use cloth diapers.  I could not imagine.  Our youngest had diarheah last week, and I could not imagine using cloth.  Those things made it to the garage quicker than you could say Luvs diaper.  I really envy those who care for the environment and will sacrifice and go to these extremes.  You make up for the rest of us slouches!

It's not just environmental, it is a HUGE money saver.  I am very cheap.  I can tell you that the runs make me very glad we use cloth.  The only blowouts little RNR has ever had was when he was in disposables at the first daycare; all the way up the back, or out the legs, etc.  The cloth dipes hold it 100% in.  It's really not difficult at all, and is much less messy IMO than sposies.  And you never have to run out in the middle of the night because you're out.

 

I think that most people who are amazed that anyone uses cloth have no idea what modern cloth diapers are available.  It's just one piece, like a disposable:  http://www.teamlollipop.co.uk/shop/images/Bum_Genius/bumGenius_vsn3_opendiag.jpg

... plus isn't it a bit rude to wash your diapers in the same machine the guy next door uses for his dress shirts? I mean sometimes there are poop remnants in the machine.

 

Depends on the guy next door.

GAH!!!!!  :-o :-P  :-o Remember - some of us HAVE to keep tabs on every thread - save the graphic details for the campfire tales!!!  :-)

Despite what the magazines would have you think, there's nothing pretty about parenting.

I'll be honest and say that I probably would not have considered cloth diapering if it wasn't for the store Park + Vine near our home.  I had no idea that modern cloth diapers existed until they added them to their merchandise. They look so cute, and then I heard they are easier to use than the old-fashioned ones. 

It's not just environmental, it is a HUGE money saver. I am very cheap. I can tell you that the runs make me very glad we use cloth. The only blowouts little RNR has ever had was when he was in disposables at the first daycare; all the way up the back, or out the legs, etc. The cloth dipes hold it 100% in. It's really not difficult at all, and is much less messy IMO than sposies. And you never have to run out in the middle of the night because you're out.

 

I think that most people who are amazed that anyone uses cloth have no idea what modern cloth diapers are available. It's just one piece, like a disposable: http://www.teamlollipop.co.uk/shop/images/Bum_Genius/bumGenius_vsn3_opendiag.jpg

 

Wow, that is pretty cool.  I was under the impression that you still had to use safety pins and all that stuff.  4 kids deep and I never new about these things.

 

My Mom still dusts their house with the cloth diapers she used on us many moons ago.   

Yes, that's what most people think and it's just not the case.  You CAN use prefolds and covers (we do at home - we use the all in ones like the link I posted for daycare), but you do not use pins.  They make really nice, easy to use covers now that have snaps or aplix (velcro).  And they are very cute:

http://www.parentingbynature.com/prodimages/larges/bummis-super-whisper-wrap.jpg

http://the-giggling-green-bean.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1//5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/b/u/bummis-super-whisper-wrap-flowers.jpg

Yes, that's what most people think and it's just not the case.  You CAN use prefolds and covers (we do at home - we use the all in ones like the link I posted for daycare), but you do not use pins.  They make really nice, easy to use covers now that have snaps or aplix (velcro).  And they are very cute:

http://www.parentingbynature.com/prodimages/larges/bummis-super-whisper-wrap.jpg

http://the-giggling-green-bean.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1//5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/b/u/bummis-super-whisper-wrap-flowers.jpg

 

What about when you are out somewhere for an extended period of time.  Does that pose a problem being that you just can't toss them.  We actually travel alot visiting family in DC and Chicago, and my wife will jumpo in the back and change poopy diapers and we'll toss them at a rest stop.  I can't imagine having to drive 4 hours with it in the car.  I guess in that instance, that's why you probably have some disposables on hand though. 

Well, first of all, we have never traveled with LO more than a few hours away, though we did do an overnight at a hotel when we lost power and it was freezing out.  You simply keep a bag and put the dirties in it and wash them when you get home.  Seriously, if you got a mess on your clothes while you were traveling, would you just throw them out and buy new ones?  It's the same thing. You'd just put the soiled clothes in a bag and wash them when you got home. 

 

If we take a vacation, we would just stay somewhere like a Candlewood that has self serve laundry right there in the building.

 

I think if we were traveling somewhere unfamiliar or going to be on the go a lot, we would use disposables, like if we went to Europe or something, but that's about as likely as me winning the lottery at this point.

 

Edited to add - if I did use disposables, I would still scrape/drop solids into the toilet.  I just think it's unconscionable not to. I understand that nobody else feels that way except people that cloth diaper.

My Mom still dusts their house with the cloth diapers she used on us many moons ago.   

We still use all our old diapers too.  They are the best rags.  The velcro on the covers does start to lose its ability to hold after a few hundred washes and new covers are needed eventually. Our covers got us through 1.5 kids. 

 

We also used cloth wipes, and soaked them in a solution of lavender oil, tea tree oil and water.  I was skeptical when my wife suggested it, but it actually worked fine.

We use cloth wipes too. And if I had it to do over again, we'd buy all snaps covers instead of aplix/velcro, because they do wear out.  We put tea tree oil drops in the pail, but we just wash with water.

Just laugh about it.   And trust me, kids are tough, tough, tough, when they are at grandma and grandpa's or aunt and uncles.  I could imagine the time you were having!

 

That's my whole philosophy for life now. I'm only 23 but I've been through hell and back due to a lot of things out of my control but I started to find humor in it :) I still love my nephews to death, even the terrorist. The best thing about kids is that even when they get on your nerves sometimes, they remind you to lighten up. They find humor and joy in everything around them. Nothing like taking them out to Galaxy or Chuck-E-Cheese and seeing their eyes light up like a pin-ball machine. 

 

The more and more you're on this forum, the more Dr. Phil you become.

 

I hate that quack.

While I don't promote drugging your children, I like the idea of everyone buying a bottle of Nyquil just in case its needed!  Now this business of cloth diapers is getting out of hand!  Everyone just keep buying those Pampers!  My retirement depends on it!

 

What's this world coming to?  Next you'll tell me you have no need for Tampax Pearl and Always Infinity!

Just laugh about it. And trust me, kids are tough, tough, tough, when they are at grandma and grandpa's or aunt and uncles. I could imagine the time you were having!

 

That's my whole philosophy for life now. I'm only 23 but I've been through hell and back due to a lot of things out of my control but I started to find humor in it :) I still love my nephews to death, even the terrorist. The best thing about kids is that even when they get on your nerves sometimes, they remind you to lighten up. They find humor and joy in everything around them. Nothing like taking them out to Galaxy or Chuck-E-Cheese and seeing their eyes light up like a pin-ball machine.

 

The more and more you're on this forum, the more Dr. Phil you become.

 

I hate that quack.

 

Bah!

"Next you'll tell me you have no need for Tampax Pearl and Always Infinity!"

 

I believe I asked the parenting types to refrain from icky graphic details to spare us Admins the visuals. Thanks! :-D

While I don't promote drugging your children, I like the idea of everyone buying a bottle of Nyquil just in case its needed!  Now this business of cloth diapers is getting out of hand!  Everyone just keep buying those Pampers!  My retirement depends on it!

 

 

They send us tons of that stuff every year in a giant box around Christmas time. I have a really sleek p&g ice bucket to cool off my beers. You won't know nothin about that until you retire  :-D

That's the same box all employees get at Christmas.

That's beside the point.

 

I believe I asked the parenting types to refrain from icky graphic details to spare us Admins the visuals. Thanks! :-D

 

Oh, the stories I could tell you about working on feminine hygiene products, such as categorizing blood clots by size, etc.  But I won't!  Have a happy period!  :wink2:

Too bad you guys don't develop adult diapers; you could get an employee discount!

I'd like to point out that we are hippies, but we don't do this.  However, there are a LOT of moms on my crunchy board who do:

 

Mama cloth: http://www.forthemonster.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=MamaCloth

Family cloth: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/286627/the_family_cloth_vs_toilet_paper_how.html?cat=46

^

SRSLY.  I mean, we're crunchy, but I'm just not that crunchy.  I'm one of the only women on my crunchy board who still washes her hair with shampoo and conditioner, too.  I won't win any hippie prizes, I guess.

People seriously WASH nasty bloody "Mom" pads? 

Too bad you guys don't develop adult diapers; you could get an employee discount!

 

POW!

Ok, this is gross. Let's talk about consignment sales or something.

Ok, please come to the big red wagon sale and buy my loot!  March 19 & 20, medina fairgrounds.  www.thebigredwagon.com

Thank you.

I'm about to join Cincinnati's Downtown Residents Council as a board member in April.  Each of us are tasked to head a committee on a topic that is of particular interest to us.  As such, I was planning on creating a Family Committee.  Below are my initial thoughts on "concerns that exist outside standard downtown resident concerns that are of importance to families with children."

 

daycare

daycare options

 

medical

pediatricians

 

activities

parks (i.e. splash park)

kid focused/friendly events

kid friendly restaurants

 

education

 

shopping

Children focused

 

parental education

classes (e.g. cloth diapering)

 

 

Feedback?

FYI: My wife will be starting a home daycare within the next couple of months. Daycare is such a high demand when we first checked into it, we were looking at 6-8 week waiting period. She hasn't even started advertising and we already have 2-3 kiddies on the list!

 

If anyone is interested, PM me. We live in Prospect Hill.

Good luck cincinnatus.  If you want some tips about what I think sets apart the good home daycares from the bad, PM me and we can talk.

I'm about to join Cincinnati's Downtown Residents Council as a board member in April. Each of us are tasked to head a committee on a topic that is of particular interest to us. As such, I was planning on creating a Family Committee. Below are my initial thoughts on "concerns that exist outside standard downtown resident concerns that are of importance to families with children."

 

daycare

daycare options

 

medical

pediatricians

 

activities

parks (i.e. splash park)

kid focused/friendly events

kid friendly restaurants

 

education

 

shopping

Children focused

 

parental education

classes (e.g. cloth diapering)

 

 

Feedback?

 

I would add access to pediatric medicine specialists, such as dedicated pediatric hospitals (like our Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital up here), pediatric GI's, pediatric allergists, etc.  Pediatric specialties are more and more important these days since kids have more wrong with them than they used to (e.g. peanut allergies).

 

I would also mention good access to prenatal care, excellent birthing hospitals/birthing centers, midwives and doulas, lactation consultants/LLL leagues, and high-risk OBs and hospitals that specialize in high-risk births.

 

I think "safety" is probably a concern for everyone, but it's different safety when talking about children - locked play areas, making sure registered sex offenders do not live close by to schools or daycares, etc. And then the safety of the play areas themselves - construction wise - cork pieces underneath jungle gyms instead of asphalt, etc. 

 

I'd add children's sports to the activities list, e.g. soccer leagues or whatever.  And outdoor activity places like sled riding areas, ice skating parks, outdoor pools, etc.

Cincinnati's Children's Hospital is quite close to dt and Christ Hospital is literally up the hill. Are there any doctor's offices actually in the basin these days?

Very few neighborhoods have all services in one place.  Growing up, my doctor, dentist, and orthodontist were all in Montgomery, my allergist was in Finneytown, obviously shopping was in Kenwood, etc.  Isn't it alright, and actually expected that downtown residents will have to travel to some things?

When XUMelanie and I moved downtown I dumped my crappy primary care physician to a great one in the CBD (Central Business District).  A couple of years later I even replaced my good suburban dentist with one just as good downtown.  I guess it all depends on your personal ties to suburban medical personnel and services, but at least in Cincinnati I find those downtown are just as good if not better.  It is just so much nicer walking to appointments at lunch rather than flexing my work time and rushing all over creation in my car.

There are some doctors, dentists, and optomatrists in the basin. 

 

Isn't it alright, and actually expected that downtown residents will have to travel to some things?

 

Of course downtown residents will travel for some things, but I'd imagine people are interested in know what is at least near downtown.  I plan to ask other downtown parents for recommendations about their pediatricians because they probably won't be recommending places up in Mason, West Chester, etc. 

Growing up in Pleasant Ridge, most of our doctors either in Hyde Park or Kenwood/Montgomery.