A/N: I think this is going to be a series of one-shots, each with a different parenting theme. Although Harry and the other characters in the series were born in the early 1980's, some of the same thoughts, feelings and struggles that their parents went through transcend time. Each chapter will focus on a different parenting "theme" and a different set of parents, although some couples may repeat.

First up: The Lovegoods. I have no idea what Mrs. Lovegood's name is. However, a brilliant author in the Reviewer's Lounge "All I want for Christmas" project has Xeno calling her "Kitten." Borrowing from that, I've named her Katherine since "Kitty" is a nickname for Katherine. I always pictured the Lovegood's as sort of hippies; if they were Muggles, I think they would be real mother earth types! (Nothing wrong with that, of course, seeing as I lean towards the hippie side of things.)

Paper, Plastic or Cloth: Diapers

The Lovegoods

"Xeno, darling," Katherine called to her husband, who was cleaning up the supper dishes. "Come look at this article in Magical Baby."

"Yes, sweetheart," he said as he put down his wand. The dishes magically settled on the counter, sparkling in the evening sun. "What is it, love?" Katherine Lovegood shifted in the loveseat, the sun's last rays catching in her blond hair. Xeno settled next to her on the couch, looking over her shoulder at the glossy magazine.

"It's about diapers," she said, her brow furrowed in worry. "I never thought of it, sweetie, but we're going to have to diaper this baby."

Xeno chuckled at the cause for his wife's concern. "Well, of course we are! It'll be a little while before our young one is toilet trained, and…"

"Learned, honey. Trained makes Baby sound like an animal and he or she will be so much smarter, won't Baby? Humans learn to use the toilet; animals need to be trained."

"Yes, of course. I'm sorry. Baby will be several years old before he or she is toilet learned and we'll have to use diapers until then."

"But what kind?" Katherine asked, her brow furrowed again.

"What do you mean, what kind? The kind that holds what it needs too, of course!"

"Oh, Xeno!" she sighed with a little chuckle. "This article talks about the different kinds of diapers. You can use the kind you throw away, cloth, which you have to rewash or none at all!"

"None at all?" Now Xeno's brow was furrowed as he leaned over her shoulder, staring intently at the article.

"Yes, it's called elimination communication. The parent learns when the child needs to use the bathroom by watching for signals from the baby. When the child signals it needs to go, they are held over the toilet."

"That is certainly interesting," said Xeno, settling back. "What else does the article say?"

"Well, about that, not much else. Of course, paper diapers are the most common but, love, I don't really want to use those. The article says that they can cost over a thousand Galleons a year and they take up space in the landfills. I just can't fathom spending that much money on something that is going to hurt our precious earth!"

"And cloth?"

"Well," said Katherine, flipping a page in the article, "you have to wash those and that does take water. But they are so cute, look!" She held up the page in the fading light and Xeno studied the pictures of diapers that magically changed color if the child dirtied them with a concentration hitherto only seen when he was looking at drawings of Nargles.

"They are cute," he agreed. "But, sweets, you have to wash, dry and fold them. Don't you think you will have enough to do with nursing and caring for Baby? Of course, I'll glad help," he added hastily, when he saw the look on her face, "I'm only thinking of when I have to go to Sweden to look for the Snorkack."

"But Baby and I will go with you. I sent off for one of those Muggle backpacks. Baby can just come along with us and sleep on my cot. Perhaps we can bring the cloth diapers with us and magic them home," she mused, smiling. "Or buy a new tent with washing abilities."

"I see you have it all figured out," Xeno chuckled, leaning over to kiss her little nose. She wrinkled it, making him chuckle again.

"Diapers, Xeno," she said, rustling the magazine under his nose. "We need to order them, you know. Should we get the pink ones, the ones that change color, the odor absorbing ones or…?"

"Whatever you prefer, dear," he said, this time leaning in and over her belly to kiss her full on the mouth. "Whatever you prefer."