89 replies to this topic

[mum2lex]

since they've had a small army of children (19)
they've used 150,000 disposable nappies..

im mean FFS you make clothes for ur kids but u put them in sposies?! heck you do a million loads of washing what the hell is one more every couple days.

totally lost the slither of respect i had for them...

close ur legs woman... the world needs no more land fil...

*is in a cranky mood!*

and on that note is off to bed! hahaha

[MamaKoala]

LOL Maybe you should send them an email Goodnight.

[safarifun]

that is completely ridiculous! Why not use cloth nappies if they make their own clothes?

[sabrehunter]

OMG thats just OBSCENE

[Katiebal]

Miss_Catie, on 01 May 2010 - 09:19 PM, said:

You maybe cranky but I completely agree!

OMG! I just did some maths, I think huggies work out to be roughly 32c a nappy, times that buy 150,000 nappies, thats... drumroll...


$48,000

Me too that is ridiculous.

[Jayniepoo]

Miss_Catie, on 01 May 2010 - 09:19 PM, said:

You maybe cranky but I completely agree!

OMG! I just did some maths, I think huggies work out to be roughly 32c a nappy, times that buy 150,000 nappies, thats... drumroll...


$48,000

Holy crap

[vanda]

I saw something like that flash up as a fun fact when I was watching it awhile ago. Fun fact my ass.

Given they are the biggest preachers of saving money I am shocked they don't use cloth.

[safarifun]

I doubt they care about the price sadly. They live in that mansion, spending that much on sposies is probably nothing to them. I think you should send them an email!

Maybe we should all put one together? And post it to the Courier Mail & other big newspapers to go in their editorial sections!

Edited by safarifun, 01 May 2010 - 09:22 PM.

[ButterflyMumma]

Catie, even the cheapy nappies are more than that. Huggies are around the 40 cents a nappy if I remember rightly.

Ohh think of all the pretties you could buy with that amount of money!!

[1mummy]

Wow!

I never thought of that.

Tisk, tisk, tisk.

[EmmasMummy]

wow ...... and considering their eldest is in their 20s and it was more the "norm" to use cloth and disposables werent as big back then ..... weird.

[Lis86]

Am I dumb.... Who are they (should I watch more tv??)

[vanda]

The Duggars

They have about a kabillion kids and are very religious!

[Fee]

you have made me curious now, i wonder if they'd reply to an email???

[Lani]

Holy moly, that is a garbage dump all to itself really isn't it?!

[Lani]

I think the contraception issue depends on what religion and how close you want to follow it IYKWIM? But they're probably playing up the religion side for the TV and novelty.

[overdrawn account]

i wonder if they even paid for them or have been supplied for publicity???

[tte]

Okay as a Large family mum usually I stick up for the Duggars but yes I was a bit shocked to learn they use sposies especially since they buy all their clothes 2ndhand (they could cheaply buy cloth diapers) and they have about 4 massive industrial size washers. One of the reasons I am trying to ue cloth is cause I'm aware of the impact of all the sposies. Happy an proud to ay 4 of mine a sposie never touched their butt and the last 3 are all part cloth - hopefully fulltime as soon as I get some more.

[Fee]

** Ok help me edit the email ***

Dear Mr and Mrs Dugger,

After a conversation with friends I was suprised to hear that your family uses disposable nappies. I'm just wondering why you don't use cloth?

You state on your website "We have lived very frugally, and our family motto is to “Buy used and saved the difference!”. Surely the cost of disposable nappies versus cloth has occured to you?

Just incase you are not aware there is a wonderful world of Modern Cloth Nappies out there where the nappies are shaped and as easy to put on and off as a disposable, no pinning, no soaking required, its just another wash load. Plus they are a lot better to our earth and our environment.

I am trying to spread the word about how easy, convenient, cheap and wonderful for the environment cloth nappies are, many women look to your family for a bit of guidence on how to deal with a family and are in awe of how you seem to cope so well with such a large bunch.

I would to see your family using modern cloth nappies and helping other families realise that this is a small step that can lead to improvement in the health of their families, their finances and our world.

Would you consider trying modern cloth nappies for your children?

(change the "I" to "We" - just automatic sorry)

Edited by Fee, 01 May 2010 - 11:23 PM.

[vanda]

I am no great wordsmith but maybe add something in there wit the costs Catie did, then a cloth comparison? Showing them the difference they could save?

Other than that looks good.

[Fee]

Just look at the financial aspect alone.

Disposable nappies:
(Assuming 8 changes a day for 1 child)
.40c per nappyx8 = $3.20 per day x 365days = $1168 per year
For 3 years = $3504 per child.
Plus the cost of disposable wipes.

Modern Cloth Nappies
(assuming 12 changes a day)
You would need 24 nappies per child for 2 days
An All-in-one, One size fits most nappy would cost about $35 per nappy
$35x24 = $840 - These nappies can be used for children of all shapes and sizes and can be passed down as the elder children toilet train.

Cloth wipes can be made out of any material you can wipe a babies bum with and some water.
That’s a saving of $2664 per child

Now if we’re looking at 19 children that is a massive $66,576.00 for disposables.

[tte]

Sounds really good. I woner if they get the sposies free as a perk for the advertising?

sorry that's prob been said already - I needa go to bed.

[mum2lex]

they dont get freebies as far as that episode led me to believe - as they had to get the production assistant to go out and buy them some when they ran out...

not sure...

[Eggyj81]

Now wouldnt they be a great advertisement for MCNs if we could get them to convert? Just think how many people would stop and think about how much cr*p their babies are contributing to landfill.

I nearly died at that cost- but did wonder if they had an advertising deal at all. (We cant actually watch their shows but can google )

[Fee]

There has been mention in their shows about how their 'diaper' costs take up a large portion of their grocery bill so i'm assuming they do pay for them. I feel bad enough having spent probably about $10k on nappies with my first 2 being full sposie bubs and my 3rd for the first 18mths-2yrs.

[zan]

Well if they do pay for them then that is really poor thinking from them.
Agree too what would one more load of washing be to them.

[elleandmum]

I can't believe they use disposables, I just told DH and he was shocked too.

[Nomadic]

Wow... I Understand where you're all coming from, but wow - let's judge a little shall we?

They have done a remarkable job to be completely debt free in their position. Their religion does not deny them the use of contraception, they choose not to use contraception as was mentioned, they were told it probably contributed to a miscarriage early on in their marriage. That is their choice, like it is ours. They are not on welfare, their children are well mannered and have respect for their parents and each other. They homeschool - something I know many people on here do but I for one would not be able to do in a million years and am eviable of anyone who can do it.

So they don't use cloth? Yes, it would be great for the environment if they did. But honestly, I've had my son in disposables for just over a week - why? Because I am absolutely bloody exhausted at the moment and washing nappies was just something I had to put aside so I could do other things. No, it doesn't take much, but it does take time - there is the rinsing of the soiled nappies - my son rarely does a solid poo and the wipes and then they go in the machine and then they get hung out. And with out weather they're pulled in and out constantly as it rains on and off and we have nowhere undercover outside for them. Then there is the time putting them back together. So I've had the week off shoot me. Do I plan on going back to them, yes, but whether that's this week or next week I don't know in all honesty. And I only have one in cloth.

I am sick of doing washing at the moment. My youngest two are having their sheets washed every day due to my 5 year old peeing through anything possible - and I don't have the money to buy another protective sheet - and our 1 year old thinking it's a fun game to squirt his water all over his sheets every night - but he likes to have a drink during the night so I'm not going to take it off him.

They are not the only poeple in the world to leave it up to God to decide how many children they have.

They get criticised because they have older children helping out younger kids - I do that as well. While I'm sitting here eating my breakfast and my husband is eating his our eldest is playing chasings with our youngest son. He also just helped him go and grab the dirty clothes for me.

In a perfect world, yes, we would all do what's right for the environment all the time but maybe, just maybe, some of us are just doing the best we can.

Personally I know four people who have bought ergos because she uses one, but I don't know anyone who uses disposables because she does. I also buy a lot of our kids clothes second hand, mainly because I can't justify the cost of new for a lot of things and it gives them more choice. What they spend their money on is their choice - it's their money.

Maybe if you're all really so passionate about them using cloth you could put together a basket and send it to them, who knows, perhaps they've never even had someone show them to them. There are many other parents in this world who would have a bloody clue what a modern cloth nappy is, not just the Duggars.

[Fee]

Good on you for taking a break if you feel like you need it, i didn't think my email was judging i actually tried to word it in a way that if they didn't know what MCN was it might shed the light.

BTW I have a spare single waterproof matress protector if you want it hun just pm me your address

[~*~Magikal5~*~]

Well said Kris, though that said, if they really were so frugal they would be using cloth of some description. I also believe they'd have a lot of sponsors with the amount of publicity they have. Good on them for doing what they feel is right though - I wouldn't do it in a million years PMSL. 3 is more than enough for me
xoxox

[Nomadic]

I actually thought your email was quite good - should have mentioned that. It was more the "they suck" comments I was referring to.

[kaznkidz]

Hmmmm i know that cloth is or could be a great money saver if you werent an addict like myself, BUT they have 19 kids and if i had that many kids regardless of whether the others basically help raise them i would be wanting to do/use whatever made life just that little bit simpler, iykwim.

[JwithJ]

i agree that they say they are frugal but it just doesn't reflect it coz they use disposibles yes i know its easier for sure but it costs a crapload more and it goes against their values i think they are an awesome family and the kids are very well behaved i dont think ive ever heard either of the parents raise their voice they just ask nicely and the kids do it i wish it was like that here lol

[Jenn]

geeeeeeeeeeeez That's a bit harsh.. I don't think any of us here can judge the way they do things, as we all live VERY different lives to them..

For one, they made their own clothes up until kid like 5 or 6.. So that's out the window - they buy at op shops

For two - they do like 15+ loads of laundry a day, and always have 3-4 kids in nappies! Can you imagine tacking on 2-3 more loads of laundry PER DAY? That's insane.. I wouldn't do it either! Heck, I don't know how the mums on here with 4+ kids do cloth for one or more, and still keep up on all their laundry!!!!!!

[ButterflyMumma]

Jenn, on 02 May 2010 - 10:04 AM, said:

geeeeeeeeeeeez That's a bit harsh.. I don't think any of us here can judge the way they do things, as we all live VERY different lives to them..

For one, they made their own clothes up until kid like 5 or 6.. So that's out the window - they buy at op shops

For two - they do like 15+ loads of laundry a day, and always have 3-4 kids in nappies! Can you imagine tacking on 2-3 more loads of laundry PER DAY? That's insane.. I wouldn't do it either! Heck, I don't know how the mums on here with 4+ kids do cloth for one or more, and still keep up on all their laundry!!!!!!

Completely agree. Heck there are days now when I think omg I so can't be bothered because of all the washing we have, but then I get over it and still keep going. Its not just about an extra load or two of nappies, what about when the kids have leaks (seems to happen here an awful lot, especially with the Lil Miss). There is even more washing!

Personally i'd be picking my battles with this one. If I had that many kids, i'd be using sposies as well. Even if it meant cutting back in other areas of our lives just to be able to have that convenience. 3 in cloth was bad enough!

[mum2lex]

blergh whatever... LOL

if my "they suck" comment offended then WHY READ THE TOPIC!!!!!!!!

you dont have to take to heart everything u read on the internet!!!

also if you'd noticed i was in a cranky mood when i posted.

i was just shocked.

eh. whatever.
just thought i was an interesting "landfil fact" i'd share.

[mayas mum]

I have 4 kids... only one in cloth now and seriously it is not THAT much more work.... I have actually timed how long it takes to "wash a load of nappies" ie:- put in washing machine, hang out and bring in..... and it takes 16 minutes.... and another 13 to snap them all back together (which I would do while watching tv at night).

When I had 2 in cloth it was an extra 4 minutes hanging time and another 5 minutes putting back together. I used to do a load every day. Now I do a load every 3-4 days. 15 minutes every 3 days is not THAT hard to find, and for the financial and environmental benefit I am happy to do so.

I am not judging them but it does seem a shame when they have an opportunity to make such a significant difference to not only the environment but also their bank balance. With the money they saved they could go on a family holiday once ever couple of years. Roughly 5,000 large boxes of disposables per annum @ approx $25 per box = $125,000 even allowing a 20% discount for buying in bulk that still adds up to $100,000 per year!!! hell they could even go on a holiday every year!


A recent study has identified the cloth disposable difference

(source-study was paraphrased in Disposable nappies: a case study in waste prevention. Women's Environment Network 2003)Can't find original study documentation at the moment, will find if someone is interested.

Impact per Infant per year:
First figure is cloth, second is disposable, third figure is ratio.

Energy~ 2532MJ ----8900MJ--- 3.5x
Waste Water~ 12.4 cubic metres--- 28 cubic metres--- 2.3x
Raw materials: non renewable~ 25kg--- 208kg--- 8.3x
Raw materials: renewable~ 4kg--- 361kg--- 90x
Domestic Solid waste~ 4kg--- 240kg ---- 60x
Land for raw materials~ 1,150-6,800ha--- 29,500-32,300ha---- 4-30x

So yeah they have a massive opportunity to make a big difference to the environment. Sorry if these seems a little ranty.... it is something I feel very passionate about, and if you are going to have 19 children I think you need to do so in a fully considered fashion. IMO when you are totally ignoring the significant environmental impact you are making on the earth for your children's future it makes me very disappointed.

For me finding 15 minutes a day to help make my children's future potentially better is a small price to pay. I know there are so many other things that stuff the environment up, some of them I have NO control over, but I can control this and choose to do so. Even if people only used disposables how they were originally intended ie;- on holidays and when out and about imagine how different things would be.

Oh well... John Lennon was onto something .... I just wish he had made a song about cloth nappies

Edited by mayas mum, 02 May 2010 - 11:24 AM.

[mum2lex]

knowing her fashion she wouldnt be the one to find 15mins to put the washing on or hang it out or snap the nappies back together... whoever has laundry "juristriction" (sp!?) that week would have to do it...

[tte]

I have 7 and sometimes I do find the laundry a lot - I have soo much with clothes that sometimes the nappies are just another load I don't want to do but then on the other hand I do soo much anyway it really isn't that hard to do just one more. If I had the machines that she has it would make it a whole lot easier. No judgement either way here - I think they are already doing a lot to be environmentally concious and frugal and agree they have done great to be debt free but if they had used cloth for even a few babies or just part - time it would make a big difference. I never have enough nappies to go fulltime here anyway but even using just 3 changes on my 2 youngest during the middle of the day and then throwing them in with the clothes at the end of the day saves 6 disposables per day in the household but isn't too overwhelming.

[MLM]

mum2lex, on 02 May 2010 - 11:32 AM, said:

knowing her fashion she wouldnt be the one to find 15mins to put the washing on or hang it out or snap the nappies back together... whoever has laundry "juristriction" (sp!?) that week would have to do it...

LOL, I have to agree.
What I want to know is what does SHE do? besides get pregnant....

[KATONES]

simply disguisting

[Chiron]

What a huge task the job of doing all of that laundry must be for the child rostered on so I'm sort of glad the poor kid isn't lumped with extra washing in the form of cloth nappies.

I recently bought some disposables whilst in America and they were much cheaper than they are here ( as with pretty much everything)

[Jenn]

Chiron, on 02 May 2010 - 08:11 PM, said:

What a huge task the job of doing all of that laundry must be for the child rostered on so I'm sort of glad the poor kid isn't lumped with extra washing in the form of cloth nappies.

I recently bought some disposables whilst in America and they were much cheaper than they are here ( as with pretty much everything)

Don't you think that maybe the kids like to help and like to work as a group? When my family had 5 kids(3 + 2step), we use to love doing chores and things and having our own area to clean in the house etc.. *shrug*