Tina is an employee at Sweetheart Diapers & More and mother to a 1.5 year old daughter who comes to work with her at the store. In this post she tells us about her introduction to cloth diapers and what it’s like to work with a baby in tow.

The Sweetest Job

I noticed the sign for Sweetheart Diapers & More almost as soon as it went up. I wondered if the same woman who sold cloth diapers from her home on Dawson Road opened the store. I wandered in with my newborn baby, and met Margaret. She was friendly and welcoming, and ready to answer all of my cloth diapering questions.

Tina at work with baby Stephanie

Like most first time moms, I was overwhelmed by all of the different choices available. I decided to purchase one diaper to try and chose a bright yellow FuzziBunz pocket style one size diaper. I loved it, and I still use it on my daughter, who is now 18 months old. I decided, though, that I would prefer a two piece diaper system, so that I could re-use the waterproof covers (or wraps as they are sometimes called). Since I was switching to cloth diapers from disposables right when Stephanie was about 15 lbs, I decided to buy the baby sized Bummis Diaper Kit. I am still using the diapers from that kit as well, and we have now saved over $600 by using cloth diapers.

One day when I came in for more Buncha Farmers Stain Sticks and another Super Brite cover, I noticed that Margaret was expecting! I asked her what she would do with the store when she had the baby, and she said she would like to hire someone on a part-time basis who would perhaps work full-time temporarily for the first few weeks after having the baby. She said she would like someone with experience using cloth diapers, and wearing their baby in a wrap. She looked at me as I stood there wearing my baby in a wrap, and asked “would you be interested?”.  Absolutely! Just a day before, my husband and I decided after looking at it from all angles, that I would extend my unpaid leave from my previous employment, and look for a small part-time position somewhere close by.

When Margaret explained that I could take my baby to work with me I was floored! It is sometimes challenging and exhausting doing “double duty” at the store with baby in tow, but the perks far outweigh the extra challenge. I have learned so much more about baby wearing and cloth diapering and laundering since I first started here. Whenever my baby gets fussy, I can use our demo baby carriers, and they usually put her to sleep right away. If not, at least I have both hands free to help customers. Most people are very understanding if I have to excuse myself in order to change a diaper, or nurse my baby. In fact, if you have been in the store recently, and greeted my baby girl, or allowed your children to play with her, and if you have been patient while I tended to her immediate needs, I want to thank you. Thank you for supporting this special store and for making it possible for me to reach my personal parenting goals. Thanks most of all to Margaret for the sweetest job ever!