Why Giving Diapers Makes Sense to Young Children

EcoBuns is sponsoring a diaper drive for Nestlings Diaper Bank of West Michigan.  For more information on the diaper drive, click HERE.

Diapers are a basic health necessity for babies but are not provided by government assistance programs. Keeping a child in a clean diapers should not depend on how much money you have.

Families with financial struggles and children living in poverty continue to be a growing problem in Michigan and while there are wonderful organizations that feed, clothe, heal and house children, an adequate supply of disposable diapers is an ongoing critical need that is often unrecognized and unmet.

Diaper banks exist throughout the country and successfully serve their local communities but Nestlings is the first diaper bank in West Michigan. Nestlings is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the ongoing need for diapers and designed to be a centralized source for collecting, storing, and distributing diapers.

Diaper Drives are a great way to start talking to young children about helping others.  Children as young as 2 can grasp the idea of helping others.  Giving diapers makes sense to children because they are either in diapers themselves, remember being in diapers, or have younger siblings or cousins in diapers.  Children often care for babies in their imaginative play and understand that all babies need diapers.    

TIPS AND IDEAS FOR TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT NEEDS:  

Below are some ideas for talking to your children about need and the diaper drive.  Many of these can be mixed and matched.  You know what will work best for you child.  

• Talk about what babies need. Young children often have babies in their lives, so they know what babies need.  If you don't want to focus on the need aspect, simply explain that you are getting a present for a baby.   
• "Just like Baby Jack need diapers, we are going to get some diapers for other babies who need them"

• Focus on how you help your child:  Your child likely needs help with things like putting on certain clothes or making food.  Use this as a point to teach them about helping. 
• "You know how you need help tying your shoes?  There are babies out there that need help making sure that they have enough diapers"

• Children are natural helpers themselves:  Children love to mimic their parents by "helping" them do tasks around the house.  Setting the table, putting away clothes, or sweeping the floor gives them a sense of accomplishment.  This is another way to talk about helping.
• "You know how you help fold the towels?  I really like like when we do that together.  This is another way that we can help together."

• Address Differences in Family Situations: A common question young children have is "Why can't their mommies get them more diapers?" or "Why can't they go to the store and buy more diapers?"  Young children are looking for real and tangible answers.  
• "Their mommies want to give them diapers, but they can't right now, so they are asking us for help"
• "Not everyone has enough money to go the the store and get diapers, and we have extra that we can share right now"

Diaper donations can be dropped off at EcoBuns anytime during regular store hours.  (Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm)