Anyone who has ever been a parent or has taken care of babies and toddlers knows that when it comes to changing diapers, the child isn’t always so happy about it. Recently, a childcare chain in Australia suggested that parents ask their child permission before changing nappies. Their suggestion was not as well-accepted as they thought.
Australian Daycare Suggest Parents Asking Permission Before Changing Kids’ Nappies
In an effort to begin teaching about consent as early an age as possible, the Australian childcare chain Only About Children suggested one way parents do this is by asking permission before changing nappies (aka diapers). They want parents to put themselves in their children’s shoes and think about how they may feel in that situation.
“If you were a baby, how would you like to have your nappy changed?” they asked.
They want to encourage respectful diaper changes and promote bonding between the parent and the child. Some of their suggestions include:
- Being open-minded and not interrupting the toddler while they are changing
- Ask for cooperation but understand as the child grows, how they wish to be changed might change (for example, they may wish to stand instead of lay down)
- Encourage independence: For example, if the child is able you can ask them to take off their own diaper (with help, if necessary) or wipe themselves
- Wait for a gap in their play before beginning the changing process
- Asking them if they want to walk to the changing table or be carried
These things, they say, teach independence, body autonomy, and consent.
