In a message dated 10/2/99 3:49:32 PM Central Daylight Time, Debi writes:

<<   When the practices are grounded in passion, reason and information don't
 seem to have much liklihood of changing behavior. >>

I heard a friend of mine say that she tells WIC clients "here are some
reasons you might want your baby to be breastfed."  I have used that phrase
and many similar ones that seem less likely to provoke passionate responses
because they don't directly address the actions of the listener (i.e. "why
you should breastfeed).  Her tone is this very warm but dispassionate "here
are the facts, I understand that you are entitled to all kinds of beliefs and
passions that conflict with them but I thought you'd want to know."

It seems that when clients hear me speak with warmth and empathy, but
*without* urgency or coercion,  they are more likely to ask questions and
reconsider their position.  And I like the feeling of explaining choices
rather than that of playing tug-of-war with the pregnant mom as a rope.

Elaine Ziska
Jackson, MS

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