In a message dated 8/16/00 11:50:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: << don't wait until baby cries to feed him" ........imagine going to your favorite restaurant, being seated ready for your meal and the waitress doesn't come to take your order. At first you're just irritated, more time passes and you're pretty darn angry and when your food does finally come you're too upset to enjoy it.......... >> I really like this one Gail. But, you always had some great metaphors. I'll always remember the little green men from Mars. I copied it from the archives so that those who have not read it will benefit from it. As always, thank you Gail for your words of wisdom. Laura Hart Here is Gail's lgmfm: I suggest "the little green men from mars" approach. I also use this with my five year old when she's insistent about some thing but way off base. "The Little Green Men from Mars Approach" You are the greeter/informant from the earth. The person with the irrational comments about breastfeeding practices is a little green man from mars. The little green man from mars [hereafter known as lgmfm] just sounds irrational because of course mars is very different from earth and martian laws don't apply. Now if you need to explain something to a lgmfm that just arrived you would break it down into simple parts, explain without being rude or patronizing, and be very matter of fact and very positive about the whole deal. Maybe it's not understood the first time.... but like the earthly law of gravity, just because the lgmfm doesn't understand it or agree with it, doesn't mean it's going to change to suit his needs or perceptions. Just be open and pleasant. If the lgmfm begins to get on your nerves, picture the bald green head and pointy ears that lgmfm have and keep smiling. Remember, you don't argue with a lgmfm - you educate. [If the lgmfm is looking for a fight - he'll have to try a different planet, thank you.] *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html