I absolutely agree wholeheartedly with the entire text EXCEPT you end on a note about breastfeeding. You find that the thought of a 4 or 5 year old breastfeeding is disgusting, while 4 is actuall the average age WORLDWIDE for weaning. It is far, far younger in the U.S. where women can not be bothered to nurse their infants - and where we expect autonomy from birth. Please, everyone - rethink your childraising notions. Keep your children close to you and give them what they need, and you will have a confident and trusting child that is READY for independance.