<p>Clearly this mom thought she was doing the right thing as much as you think you are doing the right thing with your kid. Can we just leave it at that? If you ask me, any kid who is nursed beyond 2 years of age creeps me out. But I am not going to go around preaching them what they should do. I may ask around about boys my D goes out if he was nursed util three or beyond. That would worry me right or wrong. Again that’s just me. Child rearing is not an exact science. Not only there are more ways to raise kids also missteps along the way are usually forgiven. We can all relax a bit. I am sure this mom thought her parenting is the way to go. If she did, she could be clueless why anyone would haraess her kid unless they are malicious bigots against attachment parenting.</p>
<p>This is a discussion board and the parents here are responding to the original poster’s query with their comments and insights. I haven’t seen anyone making personal attacks against anyone else. Our opinions may differ from yours, but you are not required to read them or agree with them…it is simply a discussion. The mom opened herself to criticism and or support by posing in a VERY public forum such as Time magazine under the title “Are you mom enough.” The title itself suggests that the rest of us are being judged.</p>
<p>Having an issue with that particular photo does not mean one is against attachment parenting or against breastfeeding your child to whatever age works for you and your child. I’m sure this mom knew the picture would generate a lot of feedback, both positive and negative, and she chose this for herself and for her child. Unless she truly is, as you say “clueless.”</p>
<p>This is the original thread:</p>
<p>Mom Breastfeeding 4 Year Old Cover Of Time May 21 Issue
Time cover milks shocking image (photo) - The Style Blog - The Washington Post</p>
<p>What do people think, about attachment parenting as well as the cover photo?</p>
<p>Those are the words of the original poster.</p>
<p>Given the question which was originally posed, I can’t see why the opinions posted here would offend anyone who comes here to post.</p>
<p>Ms Grumet did not write the cover line “are you mom enough” and we don’t know whether she looks down her nose at those who don’t or whether it’s just her personal choice.</p>
<p>Two of my children have had the opportunity to be on television and on the covers of magazines for different reasons. I can tell you that a parent DOES have some control over such things and has the right and opportunity to refuse to have their child included if they do not agree…legal agreements and waivers are signed by the parent. I did refuse certain things I found not to be in my child’s best interest or thought would be offensive to others. This mom either didn’t find agreed with it or didn’t care. You may not agree with me and I definitely do not agree that it was a good choice for this child to be pictured in this manner. Ignorance is not an excuse and she is not a victim of Time magazine. It is her choice, but I believe it was short sighted. You are free to disagree since this is an adult discussion on a public discussion board. We all have the right to our opinion.</p>
<p>“I may ask around about boys my D goes out if he was nursed until three or beyond. That would worry me right or wrong. Again that’s just me.” Iglooo</p>
<p>This is one of the most hilarious yet disturbing things I have read on here. You would ask the boys or parents how long he was nursed in order to come to what conclusion? How would you ask this? How do you see breastfeeding affecting this boy, and how would that put your daughter in danger? What would worry you more; if they nursed on the breast until three or if they used a bottle until three? Its pretty much the same thing. You need to figure out why you seem to be sexualizing breastfeeding, if that is your concern, and why mothers breastfeeding their children creeps you out. That is just sad. </p>
<p>As Pizzagirl says, why can’t people just let others make up their own minds, as long as they have all the information they need to make an informed decision, and then respect that decision as what is best for them.</p>
<p>As to the picture, I think it takes breastfeeding back a few steps, but again, it is her son, so it is her decision to put in out there, so she must know what is in his best interests. And maybe he can attach the pic to his commonapp, and it will be the hook he needs, along with a good essay about it, lol.</p>
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<p>Not to mention, the most passive-aggressive.</p>
<p>I can’t figure out what would be learned by finding out that a D’s BF was nursed til he was 3 or 4 (or whatever). </p>
<p>Is the fear that he’d be too “mommy fixated”? Or that he would demand that his future wife do the same? What?</p>
<p>I haven’t read the many forums that discuss this but I do have the impression that the mom didn’t realize that this shot would be chosen for the cover. Still I think parents have a responsibilty to control publicity surrounding their children whether positive or negative.
She obviously knew she was part of a story by a major magazine.
I haven’t read the connecting story, so someone fill me in. Is Time celebrating mothers day by implying you have to practice attachment parenting or are they ridiculing those that do?</p>
<p>I’d rather read an article talking about ways we can support all kinds of families & why that is important to our society, than pick up yet another magazine with someone’s boob on the cover.</p>
<p>If the parent of any potential partner of my son asked me if my son was breastfed, I would think that parent had serious boundary issues (and was slightly nuts), and I would probably give my son a strong warning to stay away from that family.</p>
<p>That cover is disgusting. That poor kid, that picture will follow him for the rest of his life. I call that abusive parenting. I would never do something that would subject my kids to public ridicule, even if I thought it was appropriate. Now I personally think it is quite creepy to breastfeed kids that old, but I think it’s the mothers choice to do so, and not everyone would agree with my parenting style either. I am curious at what point she will stop. When he’s bigger than she is, it might get rather difficult.</p>
<p>When I nursed, I stayed away from coffee, alcohol, and medications. I can’t imagine doing that for over three years, I wonder if this mother does.</p>
<p>On a lighter note, if you are Mom enough, find the clip of SNL’s Weekend Update with Seth Meyers from last night. He does his “REALLY?!” bit. BTW I mean no disrespect to anyone on this forum. Happy Mothers Day to us all.</p>
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bamagirls Did both you and your H have to sign the release agreements? Ds friend (rising ballerina) and her mother (retired ballerina) were on the cover of a magazine - both parents had to sign the legal documents allowing the D to be photographed and for the photo to be on the magazines cover.</p>
<p>I think parents make lots of unfortunate decisions to publicize things about their children – including things they view as good and positive – without thinking about the fact that this sort of information now lasts forever, and that their children may someday be bitterly unhappy that their parents chose to do this, at a time when the children weren’t old enough to give any real consent or understand the implications. </p>
<p>I feel that way about this, and I often feel this way about parents who publicize their trans children, under their real names, and allow photographs to be published or the children to go on TV. It’s great that they’re accepting, but they don’t seem to understand that someday the child may be subjected to bullying and harassment because of this kind of publicity, and, later on, if they transition, are likely not to want there to be information on the Internet revealing their trans history. It’s the same sort of thing to me. The least they could do is use a pseudonym, for their child’s sake.</p>
<p>Yes, Tututaxi, we both did.</p>
<p>Donna, breast feeding moms and transexuals are two different things. Can’t see why you are trying to make any analogy.</p>
<p>When I saw the article, I assumed she was the type to home school so that will cut down on the backlash with the son. Here is what she said in a bio on a blog. She was breastfed until she was sick but describes herself as ADD and OCD and a hypochondriac - so I guess it’s very questionable whether she is really ADD and OCD or not. </p>
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<p>You don’t think I know that? I’m simply giving another example of parents’ making decisions about publicizing their children without considering the children’s future best interests or future feelings about such publicity. It bothers me regardless of the subject; the subject doesn’t really matter. </p>
<p>Not to mention that the comparison you make – between the parent in one situation and the child in the other – obviously wasn’t the analogy I made. So I don’t get your point at all.</p>
<p>“Donna, breast feeding moms and transexuals are two different things. Can’t see why you are trying to make any analogy”</p>
<p>It is a perfect example of children doing things that are not the norm for society, and the potential for harassment in the future.</p>