When my older daughter was in middle school she was relating a BAD
experience with a teacher.  She ended with a plea for me to not go to school
and address the situation.  I told her that I was like a mother bear and
someone had hurt my cub and it was my job to "handle it." (Lia was a
biologist at heart and I was proud of my smart reply.)  She responded, "Why
can't you be like a mother seal; she pushes her baby into the water for she
knows he must swim or not survive." (foiled!) I countered, "This life you
got a mother bear; next life you can request a seal!"  (BTW, I didn't go
"handle it".  I guess I figured anyone who can handle her mother so well
wasn't in danger.)

I am thoroughly enjoying the choosing-to-breastfeed thread.  It intensifies
my desire to meet, in person, as many of you as I can.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee