"Even after talking about how much money a woman will really bring home
after taking out for childcare, taxes, transportation, clothing and other
incidental expenses, most choose to go back to where they have their social
network, their income, their status and their perceived value."

I speak with women all day who are either preparing to go back to work or
are already there. The vast majority of these women have to work to help
pay the bills. They are not living in mansions and driving BMW's but just
trying to survive in their modest homes. Certainly in our current economic
climate, with layoffs and many companies outsourcing overseas, the burden
of survival has to be shared with our mates.

These moms have lots of concerns about their milk supply and most are
exclusively breastfeeding when at home. Most nurse their sweet babies
through the overnight hours. I am amazed and in awe of these women. They
are great moms, who are doing the best that they can for themselves and
their families.

Lucky is the woman who has figured out how to stay home with her baby. Most
women truely do not have the option. I did. I was fortunate, had a small
home and did without a lot of things (like dental care and only having one
car). And I would do it all over again. I did start work part-time when my
youngest was 3, but didn't seek full-time employment until they were all
out of High School.

My daughter, who is married and purchasing a very modest home in CT (but
astonishingly over $220,000), knows that if she and her husband want to be
homeowners, she will need to work along side her mate in order for them to
pursue their American Dream. She has figured out how to be as close to her
anticipated babies as possible by starting her own business with room for a
playpen. Hopefully by then she will be able to financially swing hiring an
employee to offer her some more flexability.

We, as women, ARE defined by who we are and that does include what we do
for a living. I agree that greater (or should I say, a more respectful)
emphasis needs to placed on the importance of mothering accomplishments and
how differse and difficult the job can be. Let us not forget that we are
all in this together. I really feel strongly that we, as Lactation
Consultants and as mothers, should support ALL women in their personal
endevors while providing information that enables them to continue to
nourish and nurture their babies at the breast.


Ellen

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