Family Cloth and my 4 yr old - thoughts?

[pampered_mom]

We've been using Family Cloth for a couple of years now (which up until recently I didn't realize was so controversial outside of fellow MDCers). For the first few it wasn't really that big of a deal since our 4 yo ds needed help wiping.

Now that he's 4 he really wants to take care of things himself, but the family cloth (and getting it wet and wrung out) seemed to be a bit more than he could handle. I have gone to some flushable wipes that pop up in the container because then he felt a sense of accomplishment and independence since he doesn't need my help - I can't say as I mind that part. However, it's most definitely less than ideal.

I'd like to come up with an alternative for him. We do have a wipes warmer that we had used off and on for cloth wipes for both him and dd, but then we put the water and wipes in there together which means you still need to wring it out. Would it work if you just got the wipes wet and then put them in there or do you think it would dry out too much? I figure it'd probably be a bit difficult to anticipate how many I'd need until they went funky (unless I used them when I changed dd's diaper)...

What do you think?

ETA: I saw recently that Prince Lionheart makes a "Warmies Wipes Warmer" that uses their cloth wipes. Any idea how this works or if that particular warmer is more what I'm looking for?

[SuzyLee]

I wouldn't mess with a warmer, personally.

I would just get either an old baby wipe case or even just a tupperware of some sort (like a yogurt container) and every monring, you wet and wring out about the right number of wipes for the day. Then he just reaches into the container and grabs what he needs, all ready to go.

[rere]

Or what if you put a little spray bottle in there and he could spray the cloth until they were just wet enough?

[sothisislove]

hmm...it sounds like the spraying would be fun. I could imagine the tub getting sprayed, and the wall, and the toilet. yep...sounds fun.

[rainbowmoon]

why do you need them wet? we have only ever used them dry. My 3.5yo and 5yo do great with them.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by SuzyLee

I would just get either an old baby wipe case or even just a tupperware of some sort (like a yogurt container) and every monring, you wet and wring out about the right number of wipes for the day. Then he just reaches into the container and grabs what he needs, all ready to go.

The problem is coming up with that number since he's not an everyday kind of guy, but that's still not a bad idea.

Originally Posted by rere

Or what if you put a little spray bottle in there and he could spray the cloth until they were just wet enough?

Originally Posted by sothisislove

hmm...it sounds like the spraying would be fun. I could imagine the tub getting sprayed, and the wall, and the toilet. yep...sounds fun.

Well...at least that'd be water. It'd be better than when he misses the toilet.

Originally Posted by rainbowmoon

why do you need them wet? we have only ever used them dry. My 3.5yo and 5yo do great with them.

We think they work better when wet/damp. I suppose he could go with them dry if all else fails.

I think I'll actually try the container first, spray bottle second and just plain ol' dry ones last. Thanks for the ideas - it helps to have someone else look at the problem with you!

[Kim Allen]

I seen on youtube were a women fold the cloth wipes were they "pop up" when you put in a disposable wipes case. You could wet them then he can pull one out when he needs them just like dispoble wipes. Heres the vid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHEBiy-8Yx0 maybe this will help!

[pampered_mom]

What a great idea - thanks for the link to the video!

[sapphire_chan]

:
And the container hole is so tight that it looks like just pulling the wipe out will wring it out somewhat.