This church is doomed, along with every other one like it in the western world. The attraction of these churches for women is that it offers a respite and an answer to all the choice and freedom they now have. Freedom and choice are exhausting and everyone wants a rest from them occasionally. However, a rest isn't for a lifetime. At some point these women are going to wake up and realise that housewifery is not as fun and radical and fulfilling as they thought - no matter how much 'community' they get in return. At that point, unlike women in other generations or other cultures who don't have this option, they'll look around and realise that in order to win back their autonomy all they have to do is ... leave the church. It won't be easy or painless, but it's possible, and they'll do it. If they don't, their daughters will, and a fair number of their sons also.

A lot of women either choose not to breastfeed for every meal, or sometimes can't, and in these cases the father can be equally involved in that aspect of the baby's care also.

There you have the start of a novel I would love to read.

Drawing on my hard-won wisdom as a battle-worn mother of a 17 month old, my reponse is this: are you truly seriously concerned? Or are you, as I suspect, just trying to think of something to write about, and children and mothering are proving to be endlessly rich seams of journalism shock value gold these days.

If you are seriously concerned then truly, I don't think it matters a jot. Let's try for a sense of proportion here: It's not like your child has some serious disability or problem which means you are very lucky to have the time and energy to worry about small beans like this. Sure some will disapprove and some won't. But that's just a symptom of the general judgement being rained down on parents from all sides these days. This just isn't something to worry about. It may end up being a happy memory for your child but before then I'm sure he'll go through a stage where it's a seriously gross-out one that may affect your relationship for a while. But I'd say that's as serious as the impact would be. If you love one another and trust one another then how much harm can it be? By the same token, if/when you decide it's time to stop you need to step up to the plate in your role as parent and enforce the decision. A friend of mine told her child that the milk had all run out. The child was proud to have been such a prodigious drinker. But whether your son accepts it or not it's important that he learns to accept and trust your judgement and you have to start that process sooner or later. So, when you think it's time - lovingly and firmly do it. Say 'it's over' and don't let yourself be swayed. Much more important than having his own way is to be able to trust that you will set consistent limits and protect him. Giving in and indulging a child can become frightening if they feel they are the ones 'in charge of the asylum' rather than you.

If you aren't really concerned though, and just thought you'd get something going here - then I wish you and all other journalists like you would stop. Don't you see your a part of the problem? The discourse about parenting has gotten way out of control. We don't need to hear WHO statistics on the 'right' time to stop breastfeeding, just like the mother of a one year old doesn't need to be arrested for taking a photo of her and her baby. This whole atmosphere of non stop ceaseless mind fucking over EVERY ASPECT of pregnancy, birth, infancy etc etc is madness and only breed neuroticism.

The earth is warming up people. Millions are dying of AIDS and malaria. The health system is breaking down. The thing that will most affect your child's prospects as an adult is your own economic status.

Let's get a sense of proportion and stop discussing, ad nauseum, these decisions that truly are best left up to the individual.