pediatrics

The first lecturer started the first lecture by asking "who here has neices or nephews"? I wasn't sure if i should put up my hand, although i did, because i do have 2 nephews, even if i've only ever seen them on a handful of occasions. He told us to "spend time with them" as the best way to learn about pediatrics.

Gack.

The small group leader was a bit better, and we had that brief moment of parent-bonding which ended his surprise at my knowledge of vaccination schedules and the sound of a "barking" cough. It went no farther than that though, and I soon found myself in an awkward situation during the breastfeeding tutorial. "Did you breastfeed"? he asked.

And here my brain starts spinning. Two years of medical school, and i am well trained to answer questions based on the options available. Yes or No? ? ? Yes = blatant lie, I have never breastfed. No = bad mother - or at least a mother who is less of a fanatic breastfeeding advocate than i am.

"Um, no" I stammered. His eyes lowered {bad mother} they said to me. And he talked about how his wife did breastfeed for several years. "My wife did too" I amended. And to his ultra-rapid processing credit he got it quickly and moved on. So much for parent bonding though. At least now i know my retort for next time. But like the bathroom police, they never make the same comment twice, and i am caught defending my role as a parent or my right to wash my hands after i pee like a vacuous fool, instead of the witty person i become after leaving the room. .

And she's *not* my wife, and she's *still* breastfeeding.