Dear all,

On a lark, I went and bought "Babywise--Preparation for Parenting" by Gary
and Anne Marie Ezzo so that I could have a clearer picture on just what
they are all about in case I ever came into contact with one of their
followers. I feel it is important to be informed about other parenting
styles so that I can more effectively give information.

Somewhere in their book there was an address to write to their
organization, Growing Families International.  I wrote them to be put on
their mailing list and lo and behold, I got my first newsletter from them
entitled, "The Community Perspective."  I gasped as I read their cr*p.  But
what really caught my eye was information on their 1998 National Leadership
Conference.  They've already accredited 1,300 "Class Leaders" at
conferences in Louisville, KY and Seattle, WA.  Their next national
conference will be June 25-27 in Dallas, TX.

Now there are also parenting conferences with the Ezzo's all over the US.
There are 8 planned the rest of the year and in 1998 they've scheduled
another 18 between Jan 9th and June 25th 1998.  I fear we are going to be
seeing more cases of low milk supply, FTT, and other ills associated with
their parenting philosophy.  And more trouble with negative experiences
from moms calling us anyway.

If you want to keep up with what they are doing, you can write to them at
Growing Families International, 9259 Eton Avenue, Chatsworth, CA  91311. 
They have a toll-free number for orders (ha) 1-800-396-4434 and they have a
Web site at:  <http://www.gfi.org>

Oh, and BTW, they have a National Physician's Conference as well to be held
August 27-30, 1998 in Schroon Lake, NY and you can call GFIES at
1-800-434-5154 to "request additional information on this important event."
 (their words)  At least it may be helpful for us to know which physicians
subscribe to this stuff so that we don't inadvertantly find ourselves
somehow referring mothers to these HCPs.

Gosh, did I just vent or what?

Susan Condon, BA, CLC, San Francisco, CA