Friday, August 30, 2013

What the Book Still Needs

Hello, mommies and mommy supporters! I am proud to report that the book is coming along nicely. I have 26 stories in my inbox, with some in the accepted pile, some into the to-read pile, and some in the pending pile. However, I can accept up to 72 stories for the book, depending on the length, so I definitely need more!!!

I have received stories mostly for Chapter 1 (Stories of Decision: How Did this Happen?) than for any other chapter. I still need stories for all chapters, but I have not yet received any stories for the following chapters:
  • Chapter 3. Stories of Challenges: Difficulties Encountered in Long-Term Nursing: This chapter might include stories of divorce, illness, grief, schooling, societal expectations, and other situations that might make long-term nursing more difficult and will be limited to situational challenges and difficulties with those outside the family.
  • Chapter 4. Stories of Family: Support and Conflict with Spouses, Partners, and Other Family Members: This chapter will include stories of how mothers and children were supported or discouraged by spouses and family members in their journey.
  • Chapter 6. Special Stories: Long-Term Nursing when Mother or Child Has Medical Issues or Special Needs: As described, this chapter might include stories of older mothers nursing, nursing through illness, nursing a child with autism, and other challenging situations where the decision to continue breastfeeding might have been an advantage or a disadvantage.
  • Chapter 9: Stories of How They Have Grown: This chapter will focus on first-person stories of grown nurslings (lets say, ages 16 and up). These stories might cover the following topics: How long did you nurse? Describe what memories you have of nursing and what kind of feelings you have toward that time in your life. In general, what positive or negative affects has nursing had on you as you’ve grown older? How do you feel the nursing relationship affected the relationship you have with your mother (or both parents)? Has nursing affected the way you interact or your relationship with other children and/or adults? Please describe. Do you feel nursing for as long as you did made it harder or easier for you to be independent and self-sufficient? Or did it have no affect? Please provide any stories or comments that you would like to share regarding nursing and how it has affected you as a person. 
Please keep in mind that just a few sentences or a well-stated viewpoint can change your story from Chapter 8 (weaning) to Chapter 6 (medical issues or special needs), for example. A weaning story might fit more poignantly into Chapter 6 if it is written about how nursing really helped a child with autism cope and how his or her weaning represented a step toward independence. Again, this is just an example.

I still need stories for ALL of the chapters as well as photos, artwork, humorous tidbits, and your or your child's favorite nickname for mama's milk.

Please spread the word and let mothers and former nurslings know that they can contribute to this important book.

Thanks so much!

2 comments:

  1. I would love to write a short essay about my Brestfeeding experience. We have had a lot of ups and down. Can I get your email please? I don't see it anyplace on here. Mine is TalyraPeterson@gmail.com

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  2. Hi! I would love to get your story! My email address is on the Call for Stories page (please see that for guidelines), but I'll try to make it more visible on the other pages. In the meantime, it's tothreeandbeyond @ gmail dot com. Thanks!

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