Originally published in LLL of Colorado/Wyoming’s Rocky Mountain Leader, Summer/Fall 1996
When Leaders discuss getting breastfeeding off to a good start, we often mention getting help with the housework when the baby arrives. We mention how mothers, mothers-in-law, neighbors, and other female friends are helpful in the early weeks. But now it was up to me. I was the helper.
Originally published in LLLI’s LEAVEN, April-May 1996
A huge poster of a lactating breast loomed before me at my first childbirth preparation class many years ago. My husband and I sat on folding chairs before the huge cross-section that showed blue ducts, red sinuses, green alveoli, and pink fatty tissues. Who knows how many potential nursing mothers and their partners decided against breastfeeding that night!
Originally published in LLL of Western Pennsylvania’s PennsyLLL Points West, Spring 2000
I have a basket in the corner:
Ripped jeans and sweaters,
Shirts needing buttons,
Shorts wanting seams,
Costumes needing trim.
Patches and spools,
Thimbles and thread.
Originally published in LLL of Pennsylvania’s PennsyLLL Points West, Spring 2000
The LEADER’S HANDBOOK state that a basic responsibility of a La Leche League Leader is to plan and lead monthly Series Meetings. We usually assume that means Series Meetings with just one Group. What about leading with more than one Group?
Originally published in LLL of Western Pennsylvania’s PennsyLLL Points West, Spring 2000
It was the last time I saw you
Before you knew you were a daddy.
I had gone to the doctor
To confirm what I already knew
And I said I’d honk if it were true.
Originally published in LLL of Western Pennsylvania’s PennsyLLL Points West, Spring 1999
When I was a girl, forever was until my fourth birthday
. . . Mommy on the phone
. . . until Daddy came home from work.
Originally published in LLL of New Mexico’s Enchantment, 1988
As I drove home from a recent La Leche League meeting, all I could think about was what had gone wrong. Gosh, I though, we started 20 minutes late. I forgot to say anything about LLL memberships. I didn’t introduce my co-Leader until it was her turn to speak in our round robin. My toddler was really distracting and wanted to nurse constantly. One mom talked a lot about how glad she was her baby had weaned at four months, and I couldn’t think of a thing to say. Nobody check out a single book. Nobody’s ever going to come back!
Originally published in LLLI’s LEAVEN, June-July 2003
I’ve planned, hosted, and attended only six Couples Meetings throughout my two decades with La Leche League. There are many Leaders who have never participated in one of these special meetings. I wish I could tell you I’ve figured out exactly how to make these unique get-togethers successful, but each one is different and unique! All Couples Meetings don’t look alike, but the following basic considerations may help when you invite mothers and fathers to a meeting together.
La Leche League Leaders have families of varying sizes. They also encounter mothers at meetings and in phone-helping situations whose families are different sizes. Acceptance of, respect for, and sensitivity to family size are important as we encourage mothers to breastfeed.
Originally published in The LLLI Alumnae Association’s Continuum, 2003. I took the September 2002 hike with 36 women into the Grand Canyon.
1. I could train myself for something hard. As I lengthened my twice-daily walks around my neighborhood parks and streets, I wasn’t sure I could really train well enough to prevent soreness and stiffness. A few months before our hike, I added a 30-pound pack to my regimen, gaining the comments and admiration of fellow walkers at the park. As it turned out, the long hours in the car made me much stiffer than anything the canyon could dish out.