May I add that I think my grandmother's lesson and her example have also taught me to see and appreciate the joy and blessing of each stage of my own life, even with all of the troubles and aches and pains that each stage brings. Lisa and Effath, One of the best pieces of parenting advice I ever received came from my grandmother when my daughter was born, 25 years ago. My daughter was our first child as well as the first grandchild and great grandchild in the family. My grandmother said to me, "Don't rush any stage of your children's growth. There are parts of each stage that drive you crazy and you can't wait till it's over, but when it is over, you miss it." I have tried to live by this advice, to enjoy the blessing that every single day and each child is. However, we do it, it is so important to communicate to our new parents the joy of the journey: when we experience joy in the journey of parenting, it helps our children see the joy and value in the journey of their lives. I have passed my grandmother's advice on to countless expectant and new parents - friends, colleagues, students. But mostly, I have tried to live her advice and thereby pass it on by example. My grandmother died in November, 2010 at the age of 104, having been able to enjoy the stages of growth of 2 children, 5 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, ranging in age fro 25 to 4. We all miss her wise counsel and her joy at seeing us in the world. I hope I can pass that joy on to my children and as yet unborn grandchildren. Naomi ------------------------------------------ Naomi Bar-Yam Ph.D. Executive Director Mothers' Milk Bank of New England [log in to unmask] 617-527-6263 www.milkbankne.org ------------------------------------------ *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome