Inspiring Mothering
Alexandra Harned
Columbus OH USA
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 19 No. 5, September-October 2002, p. 177
Everyone who has in-laws
knows that they are something of a gamble. I got lucky. My sister-in-law,
Diane Beckman, of Cary, North Carolina, USA has been a great model of
motherhood. My baby girl is only eight months old, but a few years ago
I noticed that Diane's bond with her children is something special and
something to learn from.
During an annual holiday
visit to the family, Diane and her teenaged daughter, Selena, were singing
and playing duets on their piano. They looked so comfortable together.
No competition, no criticism, just fun. I saw a mother-child relationship
that I admired. Before I even met Diane I had heard that she breastfed
her children as long as they wanted to and kept them close to her morning
and night. At the time, I thought this was pretty strange. But after
nine years of observing the love and respect she shares with Selena
and her son, Max, I am convinced it is the best way to raise a family.
Diane has been involved with
LLL for 18 years. She coordinates the reviews of books that are approved
by LLL and helps to accredit LLL Leaders. Diane is the Area Librarian
for North Carolina, a local Group Leader, and an online chat host with
the breastfeeding forum on "Parents Soup." Diane is also a
member of the Review Committee for the Chaordic Initiative that has
sent her to meetings in Paris and Mexico City.
In the midst of all this
activity, her children are growing up and the first baby is heading
off to college this fall. Selena and Max are evidence that the special
bond that breastfeeding provides doesn't end when a child is weaned.
This is the best part: When
I became pregnant, Diane did not push me to breastfeed or become a member
of LLL. She sent us a few Dr. Sears books, chatted with me on the phone,
happily answering my breastfeeding and parenting questions, but gave
me the space a newly pregnant woman needs. At first I went to my local
LLL Group out of respect for her (and so I could at least say I had
done it) but, lo and behold, I love it! Without Diane's commitment to
LLL, I might never have found the supportive environment of my local
chapter. In a quiet way, by example, Diane Beckman has inspired my mothering
and inspired me to give my little baby, Emilia, the best love I can
give.
Last updated Friday, October 27, 2006 by njb.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:29:49 UTC 2007.
