Ah, Elisheva, I was reading along, wondering who came up with such an
accurate analogy as literacy... and when I got to the signature I wasn't
surprised.

I hope you *do* become an IBCLC one of these days, but one of the wisest
comments I heard about certification was at the first LC in private practice
workshop I ever attended.  As I recall, the participant who made it had a
baby with her, but that could be retroactive imaging.  She said, in essence,
"The advice *I'd* give to all of you who are considering going into private
practice is:  don't be in too much of a hurry.  Once you start, it'll suck
you in, and it'll steal time and thought from your family."

It turns out she was right, at least for me.  I became an IBCLC when my
younger child was 8 and my older was 11.  I remember their early years -
handmade books, fancy valentines, homemade bread, well-thought-out holidays,
adventures at the drop of a hat, a reasonably smoothly running household...
I know that much of that fades out anyway as kids get older, but I'm not a
high energy person and I'm easily muddled, and so I know that a lot of
"extra" fun that we might have had sort of slid away from us over the years.
 I got by with doing a lot of things "the way we've always done them", which
takes less concentration than trying new things (I can decorate for
Christmas - greens and all - in less than an afternoon because I know
exactly where everything goes).  But the majority of my inventiveness has
gone into the endlessly-fascinating, never-done world of breastfeeding
support, and I'm glad I didn't start any sooner than I did.

My younger child graduates from high school this year.  I can't quite say I
have regrets - I never guessed raising children could be so much fun, and
they seem to think I'm okay too - but I know we could have had a lot more
family enjoyment had I had a less overwhelming passion.  Take your time,
Elisheva.  Life is long, and we all know there'll still be plenty left to
do...

Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC  Ithaca, NY, reading lactnet instead of
finishing her son's photomontage graduation present.  See what I mean?
www.wiessinger.baka.com

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