LLL Conference

Spent last weekend (the weekend of the 16th) down in Orlando for a La Leche League conference. This was Pamela's third year going and my second. (how did I get out of going that first year? I need to investigate that .. )

This year I attended a few seminars, one fathering support group and two on food/nutrition. The fathering one was great but both the food/nutrition seminars were very poorly planned and executed. I griped about them so much, that Pamela told me I should volunteer to lead a talk on nutrition next year. So I did, I volunteered, And was told that Men were only allowed to do 'fathering' talks. If I wanted to do something else, I'd have to have my wife present as a co-speaker.

Now mind you, this is a group of women that revere Dr. William Sears as some sort of prophet of breastfeeding. I ask you .. if he decided that he wanted to give a speech do you think he'd be told 'Well, only if your wife attends and gives part of the speech'. NO he would not be told that. He would be welcomed with open arms and be told he could speak on what ever topic he'd like to. BUT, since I am just a dad I don't get that kind of respect.

It's not like I am wanting to talk about 'How to get a good latch' or 'LLL Outreach in the community'. No, I just want to pass along my thoughts and knowledge about food and nutrition. I want to talk about sneaking nutrition into those kids we love and adore. Lets pass recipes and exchange ideas.

Anyway, the conference was great otherwise. There were more dads there than last year, and many repeats. In fact I saw one dad there this year with baby in arms, a sling across his chest buying up about $200 worth of books. Last year that same dad was very hesitant about the whole 'fathering' thing. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights. very cool how things change.

Last year I had opened my mouth about how little the bookstore was open, and wondered how they were going to make any sales that way. So Pamela made me the 'Bookstore bitch', I was there and ran the register pretty much all day everyday of the convention. It was fun, I got to know people, got chatty with some of the women. Pamela commented that 'All the women know your name! I am just a nobody, but they all know you!'.

The folks came down and were 'in charge' of Cub, I think it went much better with them along. He wasn't confined to sit in rooms and 'use your quiet voice'. He ran wild and had both of them at his beck and call. They took him all over the place, the three of them took the trolly down to an outlet mall and went shopping. Amazingly he didnt come back with an armload of stuff. He's a good kid .. he's not a 'I want, I want, I want' type of kid.

Dave ...