Tonight I started putting together a book for Aram containing the letters and comments of support we received after the TIME cover came out. There are thousands of beautiful messages to sift through. I wanted to make sure that in the front there were the letters from parents who said the cover gave them strength to not hide the way they parent to their friends and family, or that they now have the courage to allow their child to self wean, or that they didn’t know what attachment parenting was before the cover came out and because of the cover they decided it is something that is right for their family. I also put in letters from formula feeding moms who thanked us for shedding light on breastfeeding past infancy (which all said they didn’t understand prior to the cover) while still holding true to doing what is right for your family. They understood that our purpose was to spread the message of tolerance and support to all mothers who parent in a healthy way.
I also started a book for Samuel with some of the most touching messages and letters from adoptive parents because the TIME cover led to us doing interviews where we speak candidly about adoptive breastfeeding, so we received several letters from adoptive parents. Some of the parents had just brought children home from various countries where breastfeeding past infancy is the cultural norm. They were having a hard time with transition and one way or another ended up breastfeeding their newly adopted children since they saw we had done it. There were amazing stories of families saying their children were soothed during this time of severe trauma, and were probably breastfed by caretakers up until the time they entered their care. We also received letters from parents waiting for the referral of their adopted child(ren) and didn’t know that adoptive breastfeeding was possible. One mother already has started the process of induced lactation and said if we never spoke out she would have never known this was a possibility for her family.
I want my children to know we played a very small part in something much bigger than ourselves, but as small as it was, we still did something positive for others, and they should be so proud of how they helped so many families.
Jamie, I know you’ve heard this many times before but you are just wise beyond your years. Even though I don’t know you personally I can tell that you have such a kind heart and can really see the good in people and things that happen. You are a great role model for your children and others and I look up to you (even though I’m older).
The letters you received from readers are proof that you can make a difference in the world. Keep it up!!
They are going to appreciate those books so much when they are older. And don’t underestimate your family’s role in this–it may feel like a small part, but I have a feeling that, looking back 10 years from now, the attachment parenting/breastfeeding culture will be very different.
jamie, What an amazing thing. Please refer any contacts with interest in induced lactation and adoptive breastfeeding to the adoptive breastfeeding Facebook page. Hugs. jenny
I guess what amazed me was how much controversy this stirred, but it brought a number of issues into public discussion which is a good thing. What started my interest in all this was literally a three second glimpse of the Time issue being mentioned on TV. From there my curiosity was sparked and I began to research attachment parenting from credible sources. I had never heard of AP, extended breastfeeding etc., and while at first I wasn’t sure what to think of the cover photo (mainly because nursing past infancy is something we’re unfortunately just not exposed to in society), I soon began to understand the reasons for it and how natural it is.
I hope (and believe) Aram and Samuel will grow up with their mother’s strength and conviction. This was a moment in your family’s life in which you have every right to feel proud (even though I know you’ll say it’s not about you) because you stood up for what you believe in and affected countless other families in a very positive way. That’s what keeps me coming back after the media hype has died down.
This is beautiful. I remember reading when the cover came out ignorant comments such as “what will he think when he is older” “I would be so embarrassed if my mum breastfed me at 3″ etc etc. It made me shake my head at the lack of education and acceptance of feeding to term, but also a bit sad that this is he reality we live in, a world where a child (and/or teen) will be bullied and teased because of something as normal as feeding to term.
I hope your book of letters gives your boys the knowledge and confidence to stand up for what is normal, to shrug off the ignorance and know that they did play a small part in changing the world. That they should be proud to have a mumma who cares about others, and has the confidence to speek up about what she believes in.
I think it time new that you down to your normal reader base to wright a blog Post about Circumcision. and it is having one boy Circumcised and one how is Not. you have a great blog keep it up
Emma
NH USA