I have always taken the view that when a colleague (any health
professional) calls to discuss a situation with me, it is simple courtesy
NOT to charge, but instead to learn something from the experience being
presented.

When a mother calls, and I feel I need to see her, I suggest a visit, for
which she will be charged and she goes in knowing what that charge will be!
 I do not believe in springing surprises on people.

If there is a desperation situation and I can offer some help for her to
try without seeing me, I still tend to do this--which means I have talked
myself out of earnings, but my heart remains in much the same mode I
learned as a LLL leader for (too many!) years.

We must all do what we are comfortable doing. I have mentored some people
without charging, but am rethinking this now as I need to protect my time
to a greater degree than "giving away" such time would allow.

People very interested in learning do not seem to mind paying--if not in $$
in kind in some way.  We can usually work something out that is comfortable
for us both.




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]