why i ask

hmonkey

i agree with the evil stepmom.  this is gross and i wonder where the dirty diaper goes when you are changing the kid in th middle of the hallway or wherever.  i just don't think kids should follow the same rules as golf -- play it where it lies.

Dear Amy: My stepdaughter has two children in diapers.

My problem is that she uses my carpeted floor to change the babies' diapers.

I've put out towels for her to lay the kids on, and they end up being used as head rests rather than a diaper pad.

I'm totally grossed out by this, and have gently tried to redirect the changing activity to the towel or a bathroom floor, to no avail.

Her father does not want to upset her by asking her to keep the diaper changing to the very roomy bathroom or use a pad.

Stepdaughter is a 35-year-old teacher, not a terribly young mother.

I don't think I'm being a germaphobe; this really seems disgusting to me.

What should I do?

— Grandma

mrsconn23

Oh, I am a pad/blanket/towel person when it comes to changing DefConn.  If we're not at home (where we have a changing pad), his butt has something between him and the surface he's being changed on.  I'm afraid of spontaneous pee and just the general ickiness of a bare, possibly soiled, butt on places people walk or sit or whatever.

tawillers

::shrug::  It's not like I let my kid's poopy butt rub all over the carpet.  We use a pad or blanket or towel.  And I have diaper sacks.

But if anyone had a problem or asked me to use a special place, I would not be offended.

Also, this only applies to my parents and siblings' houses because I know they don't mind (my siblings do it here at my house and I don't care).  I go to a different room at my friends' houses.

VarunaTT

I've always seen people have a blanket/pad under the kid no matter if it was on the floor or the bed.  I would think it's important for both the cleanliness of the floor and the kid's junk all out in the air.  You don't know what's on that floor, plus baby messes aren't always neat.

Ex:  I like to think my animals are clean, but come on, my cats walk in litter.  Even though it's cleaned every day, they probably have germs on their feet.  I wash my cabinet down with bleach before I put food directly on it, why would your kid's butt be less at risk than my bread dough?

AuntFlo

Unless it's a disgusting newborn diaper or a sick baby diaper, I don't think it's that huge of a deal, but I certainly would prefer for her to do it elsewhere.  I would also like some more details - like, does she wash her hands afterwards, etc.

What REALLY bothers me about this question is this:
Her father does not want to upset her by asking her to keep the diaper changing to the very roomy bathroom or use a pad.
WTF?  Jesus be some balls for this guy.   And step-mother, too.

hmonkey

all diapers -- poo or pee -- get changed in the bathroom.  that is what a bathroom is for -- to deal with waste.  it has a toilet to flush poo down in, and a sink with soap and a towel.  the family room has none of those things.

*Barbie*

follow-up question - is the SD using cloth or disposable? We use disposable, and throw everything out. If she were scraping poop out of a cloth diaper, then the bathroom would make more sense.

i don't see why she can't just respect her SM's wishes and at least put something under the kid.

AuntFlo

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_why-i-ask?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:47Discussion:f2b37910-a36f-49bb-9287-e9f37d64cb5bPost:246e6e89-66b0-4b36-8cfd-0313a049c806">Re: why i ask</a>:
[QUOTE]all diapers -- poo or pee -- get changed in the bathroom.  that is what a bathroom is for -- to deal with waste.  it has a toilet to flush poo down in, and a sink with soap and a towel.  the family room has none of those things.
Posted by hmonkey[/QUOTE]

Where do you lay the kid down in a bathroom?   A bathroom is for dealing with waste - when you can use a toilet.   Until then, no.   Someplace clean where you can change the kid safely (ON A TOWEL OR CHANGING PAD) - then dispose of the diapers/wipes properly and then go wash your hands in the bathroom.
Also, I wonder if stepmom's floors are as pristine as she thinks they are?   Do they wear shoes in the house?   Do they have pets? etc.

Wzz

i wouldn't ever change the kid in the bathroom unless it was a public bathroom with a changing station, or at the very least a vanity counter. and even then, i put something down. i don't know anyone who has a bathroom large enough to change a diaper in.

i really don't see the big deal here and it's making me think evil stepmother, but i also don't get why she can't put something underneath the kid being changed. maybe she isn't using her words properly.

and really, the bathroom floor? what about the poo spray argument!

mrsconn23

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_why-i-ask?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:f2b37910-a36f-49bb-9287-e9f37d64cb5bPost:7582098a-d827-40eb-b51e-ad02c6f5153e">Re: why i ask</a>:
[QUOTE]and really, the bathroom floor? what about the poo spray argument!
Posted by Wzz[/QUOTE]

EXACTLY!

6fsn

I go where there is some privacy, plop down a pad, then change my kid.  It depends on who's house I'm in too.

GBCK

My MIL hates that SIL doesn't use a pad...but SIL is the most insanely talented, stealthy diaper-changing mom I've EVER seen.  (and my MIL has OCD.  for realsies)

I'd not use a bathroom floor, no floor space and I'll crack my head on a toilet bowl, trying.  And I can't think of the last time I NEEDED the pad/towel, but I do tink it's good sense to use something if it's ahndy--surprise poop is never a good thing.