I'm a stay at home mom breastfeeding an 11.5 month old. She's allergic to dairy (so formula isn't an option even if I wanted it to be, which I don't), won't take a bottle, and I don't seem able to let-down for a pump--even a good electric Medela. She breastfeeds 6-8 times a day and 1-3 times at night.
I received a summons for jury duty. I requested that I be released or it be postponed, but I haven't heard back, so I'm assuming I'll have to report. I explained all of the above. I live in a rural county and I hear from other people that they have a terrible time finding jurors and so are reluctant to excuse anyone. Other friends who are stay at home moms have told me they were not excused on the basis of being the only available child care (one friend actually had to have family come from 200 miles away to care for her kids while she did jury duty).
I'm very frustrated about this. If I end up having to be away from her for jury duty it's going to miserable for both of us. She's going to be hungry and cranky. Yes, she eats solid food, but breast milk is still a major source of calories for her. I'm going to be miserably full (even when my breasts get really full, I can only pump a couple of ounces--not nearly a full feed) and I'm concerned--especially if I'm actually chosen for a jury and this lasts for multiple days--that it will have a negative effect on my milk supply.
Am I being unreasonable to expect to be released from jury duty on this basis? Can you recommend resources or an approach to take to help convince the judge to release me?
In a year, when she's less dependent on breast milk, I'd be happy to be on a jury, but not right now.
I received a summons for jury duty. I requested that I be released or it be postponed, but I haven't heard back, so I'm assuming I'll have to report. I explained all of the above. I live in a rural county and I hear from other people that they have a terrible time finding jurors and so are reluctant to excuse anyone. Other friends who are stay at home moms have told me they were not excused on the basis of being the only available child care (one friend actually had to have family come from 200 miles away to care for her kids while she did jury duty).
I'm very frustrated about this. If I end up having to be away from her for jury duty it's going to miserable for both of us. She's going to be hungry and cranky. Yes, she eats solid food, but breast milk is still a major source of calories for her. I'm going to be miserably full (even when my breasts get really full, I can only pump a couple of ounces--not nearly a full feed) and I'm concerned--especially if I'm actually chosen for a jury and this lasts for multiple days--that it will have a negative effect on my milk supply.
Am I being unreasonable to expect to be released from jury duty on this basis? Can you recommend resources or an approach to take to help convince the judge to release me?
In a year, when she's less dependent on breast milk, I'd be happy to be on a jury, but not right now.
: Fortunately, I was released. I was sick with worry over how we were going to manage the loss of income and irate that mothering and the needs of young children are so invisible and undervalued as to be completely disregarded as legitimate excuses. 
