Sorry about that, I did send my mail accidently... I was writing about the
Ferber method and my 14 year old son who has ADHD...I was going to mention
that I do not know if the reason he was so high-contact was because of the
ADHD or not, but it is rather interesting.  My 5 year old, however, was also
high-contact though not anywhere near the same extent, and he doesn't seem to
have the same symptoms of the disorder as my older son did.  Might be
interesting to know if other mothers have found that their high-contact
children have since been diagnosed with this disorder.

Anyway, I was simply trying to state 2 differing methods I have heard that
have been used and used successfully.  I am a proponent of the family bed, but
only to the extent that it doesn't cause massive marrital problems, for I do
feel that happy parents are important to a healthy up-bringing in the child
(not to say more important that the child's needs...).  My mention of the
Ferber method was simply a statement that there are other methods out there
that can be experimented with if parents are against the family bed.  I truly
believe that their are no right answers in parenting, just a sharing of
experiences.  Every parent has to make their own decisions based on their
experiences and hopefully the successful experiences of others which prove to
work for them.  Unfortunately, what many of us have found is not the BEST
method in any circumstance, will not stop ALL parents from trying alternatives
that are out there, be it ABM (formula), or sleep induction ideas.  That's why
the Ferber method is accepted by some people... because it has worked for them
and they will spread the word that it works.  My letter was suggesting that
the family bed was MY preferred method of sleep induction.... again, this is
my OPINION.

Hope this clears up where I stand... and I do believe people have a right to
their opinion.  My personal thanks to Deb Leask for the way in which she
addressed this.  She not only shared her personal story of "failure" with the
Ferber method as I have done above, but she also mentions that she feels the
Ferber method is child abuse in her opinion.  I respect that. I am
appreciative of differing points of view and welcome them as a way of
learning, but I do find many people tend to act as if their point of view (or
opinion) is fact which must be agreed to by all.  That I do not agree with and
being part of Lactnet, to my understanding, is supposed to be a sharing of
ideas, experiences, facts, and opinions... so why is it so many people have to
not only state that something they say is their opinion and state it over and
over again in order keep reminding everyone on here that they are stating
their opinions and don't want to be "slammed" for it?  I should think one
reference that it is a statement of opinion should be all that is required.
Differing points of view are great and should be encouraged...but not to the
point of arguing between two opinions.  Again... this is IMHO...(did I say
that enough?) lol

Veronica Scott,
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator