I appreciate the desire for people to be mentored, but have learned (the
hard way) that this is a very costly endeavor for me, the person approached
to do the mentoring, which I have done on numerous occasions.

Those wanting to be mentored: be aware that such an experience involves a
lot more than simply watching what the mentor does, hearing what she says,
etc.

In my case, I feel the need to "debrief" after each such session, which
means discussing the whys and wherefors of the case, etc.  This usually
ends up DOUBLING the time spent with the mentee.  Such time means I can see
fewer clients, which means less of an opportunity for me to make the money
needed to pay my mortgage, put food on table, etc.

I mention this not because I am a money-grubber (the amount of time I give
away to moms probably equals the amount I actually get paid for!)* Rather,
I believe that programs that ask students to be mentored should OFFER
something to the mentors, and/or figure out a way for the students to
assist the mentors in some non-payment exchange way, perhaps in in-kind
time, etc.

I would very much like to hear how others feel about the above: both
mentors and mentees.

*I saw a mother the other night who asked to purchase a nipple shield
(grandma had lost the one her baby refused to nurse without); while
observing baby at breast, Dad paid me 13 cents more than was necessary.
When I could not find the correct change, he said, "Never mind.  You have
told us more than anyone else, honestly, and you are worth at least the 13
cents you owe us. Keep it.!"




Def. of LC service: "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities
brilliantly disguised as impossible situations."
Kathleen G. Auerbach,PhD, IBCLC (Homewood, IL)- [log in to unmask]
WEB PAGE: http://www.mcs.com/~auerbach/lactation.html