Mr. Mom? How about Dad...

Every once in a while you stumble across something that you wish you had seen years ago.  Today is one of those days.  In 2010, I stayed home for the year with my then three children (we now have four), while my wife returned to work.  The year was amazing, although not without its challenges.  I was a rookie.  Not a rookie Dad, but a rookie 'Stay at Home Dad'.

Don't get me wrong here, I have always been an active participant in the care of our children, and in the upkeep of our home.  Cloth diapers, laundry, dishes, house cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, gardening, and yes, all of the typical 'men' work as well (maintenance, technology, etc). We have always maintained that we would be equal parents.  We fulfill different roles, but the time and effort we would invest in parenting our kids would be equal.  Some of my male colleagues still joke with me that they are going home to 'babysit' because their wife is going out for the evening.  They know it rubs me the wrong way (but I can take a good ribbing all the same - they mean it in good-natured fun and respect)

I was a rookie because I left work.  The work that was my identity (I'm a teacher) became secondary, and my role as 'Dad' became primary.  It was good to get knocked down a peg as every parent does.  Parenting is not for the faint of heart, and it takes a lot of effort to do it well, and even more effort to accept that one is not going to be perfect.  I did some thinking and even some writing about the topic.  My best resource and adult company was my neighbour who I considered a professional (he was home for 7+ years).  Had I known about athomedad.org, I may have been even better.

No, society does not yet treat us as equals....yet.  Curiosities maybe?  Out of place?  Suspicious?  It is humbling to be whistled at from the construction truck as they ask where your skirt is (on a walk with the stroller), it's difficult to be eyed with suspicion at the park as moms keep a close eye on the man who may at any moment abduct their children, and its isolating to not be invited in to the conversation, or simply ignored when attempting to have some 'adult' conversation at the local parent/child drop in.  Thank goodness there were other parents who 'got it'.  I'm not complaining.  I wouldn't trade my year home with my kids for the world.  The world ain't equal, though, despite our efforts to make it so.

I am so thankful for groups like this who further the cause of equal parenting, of stripping away stereotypes, and of encouraging dads to 'step up' to the amazing opportunity and responsibility of their title.  Their current campaign 'Mr. Mom is Dead' is inspiring.  My hats off to you, gentlemen.  I consider you peers even though I know none of you.

You are an inspiration.

Can I get free shipping for ecloth® in Canada?

I've been getting the question often lately about shipping to Canada. A number of large retailers have begun to offer free shipping within Canada on orders sent domestically. Most will require that you spend a minimum amount for the benefit, but it still remains that they offer free shipping.

The cleaning cloth business has yet to offer the same perk to Canada (or Alaska or Hawaii). Norwex is based in Canada, and charges tiered shipping via courier on all domestic orders. Ecloth®'s distribution center is in the US, and offers free shipping within the lower 48 states. That still leaves our Canadian customers on the hook for shipping charges, unfortunately. All ecloth® retailers charge shipping on orders to Canada.  Recently, the US Postal Service (USPS) has increased its fees for packages shipped across the border to Canada.  We are all trying hard to keep these costs down, and finding ways to make sure the pain of shipping fees is not too onerous on the customer.  (BTW, there is an interesting price comparison that may shock you at the end of this post - read on!!!)

So what's a Canadian customer to do to get free shipping on ecloth® to Canada?  Let me offer a few suggestions to bring the shipping charges lower:

1. Quite a few ecloth® customers actually order together.  Everyone has to clean their house, and once bitten by the environmental cleaning bug, and once influenced by the huge amounts of money and time one saves using ecloth®, it becomes hard not to share!!!  A few of my customers place orders for their family along with their own order, and split the shipping.  Since shipping is charged on a tiered basis, it becomes easy to find the strategic point at which shipping will become just a small piece of the overall cost.  Others find people in their neighbourhood, book club, workplace, or church.  Still others will order their own cloths and buy others as gifts for an upcoming shower or special event.  While I won't have an ecloth® party like the others (find out why!!), I have had customers get together to have their own party and submit a large order all together - sometimes it is fun to share the excitement of a new purchase, and an awesome way to become more environmentally conscious together!!!
2. There are a few services cropping up along the US border that are helping Canadians out in this matter.  It's no secret that the majority of Canada's population live within a few hours of the US border.  Why not have your order ship to the US?  You may have family close by stateside, or you can use a service like http://shiptotheborder.com/.  If you live close to the border, you can pick it up yourself.  If not, there are often relatives making the trip soon enough...  We've done this a number of times ourselves with big ticket items like camping equipment and electronics - the savings add up, and it doesn't take too long before one of my family goes to visit the US and can bring the goods back for us.
3. Finally, keep in mind that if you order a few more items, the shipping will not increase until you hit a 'tipping point'.  For instance, rather than ordering a few cloths for $15, it makes more sense to order a few more products as shipping does not increase until over a certain dollar value.

So, how does ecloth® compare to the competition with respect to shipping charges?  Let's have a look below, and the comparison may shock you!!!

I know.  While this proves my point of ordering a few more products (see that shipping stays the same?), it completely blows the competition out of the water with respect to price.  

What? A guy sells body cloths?

Yep, it's true.  The new eBody® line is finally available from ecloth®!  So, given that the models in all of the stock photos are women, the typical target market is women, why the heck would anyone consider a recommendation of this product from a guy?

Let's begin with the more 'unisex' products, shall we?  Introduce me to one guy out there that wouldn't gravitate toward the biggest, fluffiest, most amazing towel in the stack, if he could.  Ladies and Gentlemen, the luxury of an amazing towel after a shower is not for women only.  Believe me, the luxury bath towel is something everyone can appreciate.  It doesn't matter if you start or end your day with it, this towel will set you straight and change your outlook.  Given its generous size, the largest 'man size' towel will not be shown up by this towel.  Given its unique technology, it will dry both you and itself more quickly.

Next, the gym towel, and the sports and travel towel.  Let me go on record here to state that at the gym, or on the road (biking, hiking, trip, etc), the worst things ever are cotton towel carry-alongs.  1) They don't dry you well,  2) they're too big, and don't stash well, 3) they pack wet - pulling together that perfect storm of warmth, dead skin, and moisture that mold and bacteria love to fester in (yuck!!), and 4) they stink!!! (see #3)  These two products come in the optimal size for varying activities, and get this....... actually dry you off, and get this..... actually dry quickly!!!!  Even if you forget to unpack your bag into the laundry for a day or two (admit it, you've been there at least once before!!!), you're not going to be met with the same ferocious smell that you would from your cotton towel because micro-fiber has the fighting chance to dry before you pack it away (even if it is just hanging in your locker)

Now, into the risque... The exfoliating body mitt....  Remember that saying "real men don't eat quiche?'  Well, most of us men have learned that we can appreciate a good quiche now and again...  And those scrunchy bath poofy things for soap in the shower?  Yep - I've met many a man who has come to appreciate showering with one, despite the *ahem* feminine look and branding of these things.  Enter this mitt - way more absorbant, way less scratchy, way more durable (those poofy things just fall apart!!), and yes, even we guys can appreciate a good cloth, especially if it's constructed right....

Admittedly, I do not use the face cleansing mitt or eye cleansing pad.  I have, however, shuddered as I walk through the drug store and see the rows and rows of 'makeup removal' equipment and chemicals lined up ready to remove the makeup they sold you in the first place.  I'll withhold my opinions about makeup as they are not likely relevant, and I can avoid offending half of the readers at the same time.....  BUT, if you're going to remove makeup or wash the oils from your face, please, please, please do it with as little extra assault on your skin as you can!!!!!  I've watched as someone close to me has battled a facial skin condition with a host of creams, soaps, medicated blends, natural remedies, etc, etc, etc (which all claim to be natural and health, BTW!!!) These just seem to add insult to injury.  She's getting one of each of these eBody products - we'll see what happens (stay posted).  Can I recommend this, though?  Absolutely!  Why not try to use 'nothing' but fibers and water to get your skin clean?  You'll have healthier skin (and perhaps more radiant, even!!!).

Start caring for your skin.  Environmental cleaning doesn't stop at your home - it begins with you.
eBody®by eCloth® at eclothguy.com.

Housework Wars? - There is a solution!!!

There Is A Solution to the Housework Wars | The Raw Story

This article points out that we still have an issue with who does what in the home.  Perhaps, as I've pointed out to my spouse, the tide has turned, and men are much more likely to pick up and match their partner's housecleaning load (and surpass it even sometimes!!!), but as the author states:

" the expectation remains that it’s a woman’s job to keep track of what needs to be done and to do the hard work of assigning chores. "

AND

"we learned that men spent 18 percent of their time doing housework and took on 33 percent of household tasks, whereas women spent 22 percent of their time on housework and carried out 67 percent of household tasks. Women performed over twice the number of tasks and assumed the burden of “mental labor” or “invisible work,” that is, planning and coordination of tasks.  "

And what did this result in?  Nagging.  Nagging.  More Nagging - equally hated by the wife who did it, and the husband who endured it.

So is it the man's fault for 'leaving the work to her', or the woman's fault for 'not letting him do his work properly'?  BOTH, it turns out!

So, is there hope in this unbalanced relationship?  Thankfully, yes!!!:

" if both spouses understand what their chores are and dispatch them efficiently without having to be prompted, there were few fights and everyone felt more appreciated. All of which is to say that the nagging differential disappeared. "

"Of course, all this depends on

people being willing to make the effort."

The full story, with specific steps to understanding and dispatching:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/03/04/there-is-a-solution-to-the-housework-wars

Introduction to this dad can

Yes, this dad can clean.  I have met other dads that clean, but perhaps this post is to point out that the prevailing stereotype is that they can't.

Now before you go labeling me as a hero spouse or a super dad, or worse yet as the 'show-off' dad who likes to brag about his accomplishments, let's set things straight:

I don't like to clean.  The thought of pulling out all of the cleaners and getting set to tackle the bathroom or kitchen, or floors, or whatever else it is that the kid traffic of the week has pummeled into a messy state leaves me longing for that glorious day when I will finally succumb to hiring a cleaner.  No, I'd much rather watch paint dry, or do calculus, or mow the lawn, or .... well almost anything.

Alas, the house does not get clean on its own, and the personal satisfaction of finally getting the job done (as well as winning the approval of my wife) is actually worth it.

I do, however, like to find ways to clean more quickly.  What guy doesn't?  Nothing quite compares to cutting one's last cleaning time in half, or even a quarter with no real (or noticeable)  difference.  Now, cleaning has become the real competition it deserves to be.

I also love to save a buck here or there.  Can I clean the house for less?  Perhaps ditch a few cleaners here or there...  after all, it's better for the environment, right?

Imagine my delight when I discovered I can do all of the above.  This dad CAN clean, and even like it, and even save some money, and even do one better for the environment, and best of all:  I can get things cleaner than the leading chemicals can!!!  WOOT!  (Just relish the time now where you used to budget two hours to clean...... you'll be finished in 1/2 the time and spend the rest taking in the game, sitting on the porch, playing with your kids, taking a nap..... you name it)

So, I invite you into my 'Dads can' world.  I hope I can help a few people along the way see that we dads can break the stereotype with a little help.  No more useless man syndrome, no more excuses for half-rate contributions in and around the house, no more disconnected father, aloof husband, or , or , or.....  I'm here to set the record straight.

And by the way, any spouse out there ready to show this post to their hubby to use me as the 'Why can't you be more like this guy...' example....  to your man, I apologize.  I feel a bit responsible, but ride along with me for a bit.  I hate cleaning just as much as you do, and perhaps I can make your job just a bit easier by sharing how easy it can be. 

The New e-cloth® Dust Wand

The NEW e-cloth® Dust Wand.....

It begs the question.....

 Well, given that you can bend the new dust wand

like a question mark, it can reach and get to just about

anywhere!!!!!

Just watch below where it can go...

>

Backed by the same 300 wash guarantee

as all of our other products,

this amazing cleaning tool will have you

wanting to dust your house (or maybe your

kids will want to!!!)

What are the benefits of using e-cloth ® microfiber?

Using e-cloth® has many benefits, beyond just better health and low environmental impact....  e-cloth® just works well.  I was using a cotton cloth at my workplace today, and was reminded how much better e-cloth cleans counters, floors, cupboards, etc.  It actually was a bit disgusting as I watched the dirty water trail left by the (just cleaned!!!) cloth.  I think it's time I have them switch, even if it is for my own sanity.  Read on, if you need to know more about the benefits of using e-cloth® microfiber....

• Clean better than chemicals, without chemicals
• Remove thick grease, grime and dirt from all hard surfaces, using just water
• Remove over 99% of bacteria from all hard surfaces, using just water
• Leave no chemical residue, so surfaces are left spotless and stay clean for longer
• Significantly reduce cleaning time, just wet and wipe
• Save money, reduce the use of chemicals and paper towels and wipes by up to 90%
• Guaranteed for up to 300 washes, nearly six years with weekly washing
• Safer for you, your family and guests, ideal for allergy sufferers
• Better for the environment
• Performance endorsed by major kitchen and bathroom manufacturers