I just wanted to get your thoughts on this...Are you out there Kathy D. and
others?

I teach 3rd grade SS at my church and the lesson today was about Hannah's
prayer for God to bless her with a baby.  We all know that she conceived and
that when Samuel was weaned he was taken to the temple to be given back to
God and to the service of Eli the priest. In the past I have always made a
point to tell the kids that Samuel was breastfeeding and couldn't leave his
mother until he finished with nursing. In my teacher's quarterly this time,
the writer stated that "three years of age was the customary time for
weaning since the ancients lacked ways to keep milk sweet."  My first
thought was "Why did she feel the need to justify Hannah's long term nursing
relationship with Samuel?" as thought it was *odd* or only necessary for the
"ancients" who lacked our modern day technology. And then, "Was three years
old the customary age or was it actually older than that?" as I remember
reading that 4-5 years was more common, I think.  And finally, "Why does she
assume that milk was even necessary after weaning if it had occurred a year
or so earlier since we know that most  cultures do NOT drink milk after
weaning.

Just curious about your "take" on this.  I *may* send a note about this.  I
know it may sound like I'm nitpicking, but it's these subtle little remarks
that can sometimes form opinions in people's minds about extended nursing or
breastfeeding in general.

Becky Flora
Recent examinee of the board exam and thinking Oct. 9 is a LONG way off!

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