Jumping in here a bit late (and haven't read all the responses but plan to go back and read). How I wish I would have had a forum like this when my LO was a toddler all-day, all-night nurser!! Fast forward to 10 years later and I have what I consider a more typical toddler nursling. My second LO was really receptive to the "don't ask, don't refuse" idea - probably because I was offering way more than I realized. Although I am totally supportive of CLW and on some level wish that was something that would work for me, we are on the road to parent-led weaning. We did a month of "don't ask, don't refuse" and are now doing a bit or distraction and offering food before the breast. I'm also having a lot of success with "Boobies go night-night" and have night nursing down to twox/night and one session at daybreak.
Ok... I hope that doesn't sound like I've figured something out. I feel as thought I am a fairly similar mother to this easily weaned (so far) LO as I was to my first who was to my first who was an absolute breast fiend all day - seriously like 50 times a day nurser. If I had more support I feel really strongly that my first was a good candidate for CLW or quite a bit more time unrestricted at the breast because weaning her was really hard. This was a "when you know better you do better".
Anyway, I sympathize and totally remember those days and feel like that's just how some kids are at that age. From my experience with my two kids, one was ready for some gentle parent-led weaning steps by around 2 and the other was most certainly not.
It does help to have that support - this thread has been very comforting & validating for me, and I appreciate your perspective having had one of each.
So I liked your "seriously 50 times a day" because that's a number that makes much more sense to me. 
My first is pretty awesome and plenty independent. In fact, she has been pressuring me to go overseas for a semester and she's only 11. I don't necessarily think that "AP" makes "better kids" (or at least that's now why I parent the way that I do) but I can say that I don't buy the criticism or fear that AP makes clingy or spoiled kids either. Mine was a very attached infant and toddler but then surpassed a lot of her peers in autonomy, confidence and etc. by about 5 years old. Right now she is a sweet,resilient, well adjusted 11 year old kid. 
I can't imagine juggling that many challenges, and I love your addition of the midnight nursing. So sweet! 
You definitely do make me appreciate my situation all the more, and as I've said about the nursing upthread, it's just what we do - it's not a heavy burden, he's just my little guy and needs what he needs, so it's how we roll - and there are many who are carrying alot more, juggling even more needs, and you are one of them. Kudos!
Follow Mothering