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By LISA G. CURRIE
Rappahannock New* Staff Writer
At a time when many families are grappling with child-care deci' sions, some have turned to the traditional family role of the mother: staying at home and nurturing the children.
In Rappahannock County, a group called the Mothering Cooperative was formed in 1990 to help mothers at home build social contact with other parents, develop and maintain a self image, create discussion groups for family care, network skills, babysitting networks and playgroups.
The group started with just 22 members and in two years has grown to number nearly 40 with mothers coming from as far as Culpeper, Gainesville and Warrenton.
“Some are career women and some are not,” said co-founder and present co-chairman Carol Lucking of Woodville, a mother at home with three young children.
“This group offers supportive assistance for women in their childbearing years,” she said, explaining mothers of various ages and diverse backgrounds meet monthly to offer support as well as converse with other mothers.
Developing their group bylaws from a nationally based group, The Mothers’ Center in Rhode Island, Mrs. Lucking said the cooperative “allows personal growth for mothers at home” as well as forming a network of friends for mothers at home in rural areas.
Sperryville mother-at-home April Heddleston said her mission is to pass the word and offer necessary support to encourage other mothers at home.
Her recent publication in “Discovering Motherhood,” an 80-page paperback on the wonders and enjoyment of mothering, explores the importance and challenge of breastfeeding.
“Basically, my mission is to support mothers at home with an emphasis on the importance of mothering,” said Mrs. Heddleston, a mother at home with three children ranging in age from 2 to 12.
A petite blond woman in her mid-30s, Mrs. Heddleston plays tea party with her youngest, Joy, as she speaks.
Though this is the first time she has been published in a book, she said she is familiar with the publication process.
Her monthly articles have appeared in a Northern Virginia based magazine, “Welcome Home,” for which she has served as “Early Years” department editor for four years.
The book was published by the magazine, a non-profit publication written by mothers at home in support of mothers at home.
“They needed an article on breastfeeding,” Mrs. Heddleston said, adding the informational article appeals to both the emotions and intellect of the reader.
The article uses personal information and facts and details from outside resources.
“I breastfed my own children,” she said, explaining she feels strongly about the importance of breastfeeding, not only for health
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