While I’m sure that the producer will find families who are willing to participate in the show, my biggest fear is that
Extreme Parenting will scare off families who want to give extended breastfeeding a chance. Absolutely, it’s not for everyone, and there are some days where I wish that Gillian would kiss “milky” goodbye and leave "the girls" alone. It’s not always fun and it’s certainly not as glamorous as
TIME Magazine would have you believe. (Even if this show was about promoting extended breastfeeding in a positive manner, I’d be too embarrassed to audition because "the girls" are totally ravaged and there's no way this muffin top will ever fit into a pair of skinny jeans).
Sadly, what I picture are segments of nipple twiddling and tantrums and leaking breasts, not how peaceful and lovely toddler breastfeeding can be when practiced with a positive attitude and rules about manners. While so many great things can come out of extended breastfeeding (nutritional benefits for baby, reduced cancer risks for mom, greater sense of security and independence for toddlers), I see absolutely no positive outcome for a show that focuses on how "weird" a handful of TV ratings-obsessed producers perceive extended breastfeeding to be.
Photo by various brennemans via Flickr