(no subject)

So I had a weird thought over the weekend on that all-consuming subject: child-led weaning.

Basically, it went like this: if breast-feeding can last several years, on and off, with children leading their own weaning in collaboration with their mother/milk-producing parent, why can't bottle-feeding follow a similar pattern? I mean, obviously in both cases it isn't a case of exclusively liquid-from-a-nipple. I suspect there are probably reasons around dental health, but aside from that?

My daughters, two and a quarter, still drink from a bottle at night (oh no! cavities!), although frankly I think I might switch to a cup of milk at bedtime soon instead b/c they're no longer settling with the first bottle and I think we might need to shake up our night routine a bit. Every once in a while, they seem to require a small comfort bottle too. I've been fretting over this a little, but now I'm reconsidering. They've mastered the skills they need to handle straws, sippy cups, and open cups (though they enjoy throwing water too much to use the lattermost regularly), so, well, is it a big deal?

I mean, besides the chewing through the nipples problem.

I am not starting a fight in someone else's journal.

"I am not now, nor do I see myself ever being in a position to raise a child in the manner in which I think it should be. I do not have the time, the money, the energy, or the inclination. I had a fairly idyllic suburban upbringing - pets, sports, family trips, and catch with dad in the evening. I went to a good public school with the same kids from K to 12. Too much has changed for me to give that to my hypothetical offspring, and because I think being a good parent is the most important job in the fucking world (we require people to have a license to CUT HAIR, and any yahoo with functioning genitalia can breed), and if I can't do it right, I'm not going to do it at all."

This statement, of course, implies that all that stuff--the accoutrements of suburbia--is necessary to be a good parent, and if you don't have it, well.

Also, I have some suggestions on what you could do with your limited time and money if you really believe parenting is the most important job in the world but you don't want to do it yourself...

And now, some kid cuteness.

Simone and I are looking at pictures on the computer. I show her this one.

She proceeds to identify everyone in the photo: "Mommy. Uncle Bear Daddy. Maria. Baby."

"What's the name of the baby?" I ask her.

She replies, imitating a baby's cry, "Waah!" The baby's name is Waah. Good to know.