I've noticed some interesting things over the years I been here (since 2001! before I even had kids!!). These are probably things you've all noticed, too.
I often see spanking and extended breastfeeding talked about. Invariably, there are people who say "I don't consider breastfeeding extended until the baby is over 2, after all a 1 year old is still a baby!" and "I don't know anyone who spanks, it's just barbaric" or something along those lines. It amazes me different this is depending on where you live.
For instance, I live in Indianapolis. There is a small AP group here, but I am not part of it b/c, although we parent differently, I have a strong general parenting support group within my church. That being said, I know of only ONE other family who does not spank, and even in that family, the father would like to. Also, there oldest JUST turned 2 and I've seen MANY families decide to spank after the 2nd birthday. That's the same position we were in. We decided not to spank early on (before kids) changed our minds at some point and then changed back once we saw it made no positive difference in our child's behavior. My dh would prefer that we DID spank on occasion, but my DH is generally extremely gentle, so for him that would probably be never, anyway...but for my sake (I have a more volatile personality) we've chosen not to spank.
In Indianapolis, only 62% (as of 2001, in 1998 it was 55%) of mothers are breastfeeding when they leave the hospital. Most of these mothers (I don't have exact figures, just remember it being a high percentage) stop breastfeeding before the 6th month. Here it is EXTREMELY rare to see a mother breastfeeding a child who walks, no matter the age. I'd NEVER seen a mother breastfeed a child over one until I personally breastfed my daughter (she weaned at 17 months). After Miriam, I've had three friends go on to nurse their children into the second year. (I like to think I at least paved the road for them. I got most of the incredulous comments. The same thing happened with the circumcision issue--no one had chosen not to until after Noah was born, since then I've had 3 friends decide not to as well. All three talked to me extensively before making the decision.) Noah is 23 months old now and I have had people tell me "it's really past time to wean him, etc." I chose the most progressive doctor's office in my area b/c I didn't want to fight the "selectively vax'ing" fight. I was still nervous to tell them that Noah is still breastfeeding. NOT that I thought they'd be mean, but just that I thought I'd get some weird comment. I didn't and I was grateful. So for my area of Indiana, it is unusual to be breastfeeding a 7 month old. You can see why I would consider myself to be an EB'er after the first year!
ALso, most of the mothers I know supplement with formula. Exclusively breastfeeding is another rare thing. I used to get a lot of comments about not giving Noah a bottle (I really hate pumping, so Noah's never had a bottle. Period). Sure it would have been nice at times to leave him with someone and go out for more than a couple of hourse, but I figured that in the grand scheme of things, his nursing time was short.
I'm not at all hurt by the comments I mentioned at the beginning, I just find it all interesting. I wish I lived somewhere that spanking was considered wrong by most and most women breastfed until their kids were 2. That would rock. But I don't. And I do actually like where I live for other reasons (friends, church, etc).
Sorry this got so long-winded.
Jeni
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