Conference Speakers Answer Parenting Questions
by Mary Hurt
LLLI Public Relations Associate
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 21 No. 6, November-December 2004, p. 223
Do you worry because your toddler nurses more than he eats solid food? Do you want to set
loving guidelines for your children? Have you ever wondered about the experiences of large
families? Attend the LLLI Conference for answers to these and many of your parenting concerns.
Toddlers and Solids
Does your toddler seem to eat very little, almost as if he exists on air? If so, join Dr. Carlos
González during his session, "Childrens Eating Problems: Why Children Refuse Food." Author,
LLLI Health Advisory Council Member, and winner of the LLLI Award of Appreciation for 2003, Dr.
González will provide informative and helpful information to parents with children who resist eating
solid foods. An LLLI-published translation of his book, Mi nino no me come ("my child will
not eat"), is in the works and should be available in 2005.
Dr. González, pediatrician and father of three, believes, "Every healthy child who is allowed
to eat as much as he wants will eat exactly the amount of food he needs." He will explain the
scientific reasons for why some children, toddlers especially, seem to need very little food. He even
believes that following the advice of family and friends who would like to see your child eat bigger
meals may be harmful. He states:
Most of the "encouraging" things that are
suggested by friends and family members are fortunately useless, so the child eats exactly as much as
before, but not as happily as before.
Loving Guidance
Author Hilary Flower will share ideas from her soon-to-be published LLLI book, ADVENTURES IN GENTLE
DISCIPLINE, during her session. Known for her LLLI book, ADVENTURES IN TANDEM NURSING, Hilary will
reassure, inform, and entertain as she examines the term "loving guidance" and what it does
and doesnt mean.
The session is based on practical tips and information she has gleaned from interviews with mothers
who have used loving guidance in rearing their children. She is sure to provide comprehensive answers
to a wide range of parenting questions. Flower has drawn extensively from LLLI sources and has a
thorough understanding of the meaning of loving guidance. Every parent has an adventure story about
the challenges of parenting and how they have used gentle discipline to achieve their goals. As this
talented speaker shares these stories, she will inspire and provide ideas to help even the most
experienced parent.
Learning from Large Families
Jolene Ivey, co-founder of Mocha Moms, a national support group for at-home mothers of color, will
share her parenting expertise and experience from her forthcoming book What Small Families Can Learn
from Large Families. Mocha Moms features a newsletter designed to encourage mothers to feel good
about their choice to take time off from their careers to raise their children and provides information
to enrich their parenting experience. It has groups across the country that stress community
volunteerism, strengthening marriages, and healthy lifestyle choices (such as breastfeeding).
Ivey has a masters degree in journalism and has been a television host and producer. Her five sons
were all breastfed. Her wealth of experience both as a writer and as a parent is sure to inform small
and large families alike.
The 2005 LLLI Conference will offer a bookstore with the latest on parenting information. You will
also get to meet and speak with some of your favorite authors at daily autograph signings. You are
invited to attend the 19th La Leche League Breastfeeding Conference, Breastfeeding: Ancient Art,
Modern Miracle, July 2-5, 2005, Washington, DC, USA. Look for registration materials in the
January-February 2005 issue of NEW BEGINNINGS.
Last updated 11/17/06 by jlm.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:30:31 UTC 2007.
