Shots Are For Espresso.
Or bachelor parties. Or gun shows. They aren't however for mothers who are confused by the hype.
And I currently fall into that last category.
I'm talking about boosters here. And not the seat kind. The annual kind. The scary kind. The lifesaving kind. The kind that may contribute to autism. The kind that former MTV game-show hosts now talk about on Oprah.
That kind.
Although frankly, for me to say I'm confused about this topic is probably taking it a bit too far. I'm actually not confused as much as I'm just too damned subconsciously anxious about the possible unknowing, speculated potential, and potentially related or unrelated ramifications to just even deal. In other words, like a lab rat, I'm in unfamiliar territory, so I'm not moving.
All that said, I should know a lot about this topic. Once upon a time in a lifetime far far away, it was basically my job to know this. To communicate it to many. To go on and on and on about the importance of...no, the essential need for... immunizations. In fact, for almost a year I did everything but bribe politicians to get the word out about the need for kids to get shots. Shots. Shots. And a few more shots for luck. That was my job. See, I worked for a really swell non-for-profit organization that educated immigrants about the importance of childhood immunizations. Oh, the importance.
Back then, I knew every reason children should be vaccinated. And I could (and frankly, still can) spout off the many essential benefits of the shot. Shots.
But that was 10 years ago. I was 26. And I knew as much about children then, as I know about Quantitative and Computational Finance now. And you should know, that's less than nothing. More importantly and more honestly, I knew much less about what it was like to be a parent then than I will ever know about any graduate-level mathematics. Or even middle school mathematics for that matter.
I knew nothing. Which is too bad, because if it's true that the first rule of communication is to know your audience, I really should have shut the hell up.
Because as well intended as I was...me Ms. Let-me-tell-you-what-to-do here, it's easy, no biggy, just get the shots...well, I just knew what I knew. And that wasn't everything.
For instance, I didn't know about the whole immunization controversy. Hell, back then, no one knew there would be such a thing. And I sure didn't know what it would feel like to consider that possibility as the parent of a little boy. Because I still don't know what I think about all of it. I don't even feel confident in my ability to explain my confusion and discomfort to a physician with whom The Hurricane has an appointment tomorrow. For a two-year-old check up. And for shots.
So I'm canceling.
Canceling tomorrow's appointment. Not avoiding forever. Just postponing for now. Until I feel like I know more. And more importantly, until I can whole-heartedly understand and explain my discomfort zone well enough to find a comfortable resolution.
And so, instead of going to the doctor on schedule, we're going to the park. At least for now. For tomorrow.
And I currently fall into that last category.
I'm talking about boosters here. And not the seat kind. The annual kind. The scary kind. The lifesaving kind. The kind that may contribute to autism. The kind that former MTV game-show hosts now talk about on Oprah.
That kind.
Although frankly, for me to say I'm confused about this topic is probably taking it a bit too far. I'm actually not confused as much as I'm just too damned subconsciously anxious about the possible unknowing, speculated potential, and potentially related or unrelated ramifications to just even deal. In other words, like a lab rat, I'm in unfamiliar territory, so I'm not moving.
All that said, I should know a lot about this topic. Once upon a time in a lifetime far far away, it was basically my job to know this. To communicate it to many. To go on and on and on about the importance of...no, the essential need for... immunizations. In fact, for almost a year I did everything but bribe politicians to get the word out about the need for kids to get shots. Shots. Shots. And a few more shots for luck. That was my job. See, I worked for a really swell non-for-profit organization that educated immigrants about the importance of childhood immunizations. Oh, the importance.
Back then, I knew every reason children should be vaccinated. And I could (and frankly, still can) spout off the many essential benefits of the shot. Shots.
But that was 10 years ago. I was 26. And I knew as much about children then, as I know about Quantitative and Computational Finance now. And you should know, that's less than nothing. More importantly and more honestly, I knew much less about what it was like to be a parent then than I will ever know about any graduate-level mathematics. Or even middle school mathematics for that matter.
I knew nothing. Which is too bad, because if it's true that the first rule of communication is to know your audience, I really should have shut the hell up.
Because as well intended as I was...me Ms. Let-me-tell-you-what-to-do here, it's easy, no biggy, just get the shots...well, I just knew what I knew. And that wasn't everything.
For instance, I didn't know about the whole immunization controversy. Hell, back then, no one knew there would be such a thing. And I sure didn't know what it would feel like to consider that possibility as the parent of a little boy. Because I still don't know what I think about all of it. I don't even feel confident in my ability to explain my confusion and discomfort to a physician with whom The Hurricane has an appointment tomorrow. For a two-year-old check up. And for shots.
So I'm canceling.
Canceling tomorrow's appointment. Not avoiding forever. Just postponing for now. Until I feel like I know more. And more importantly, until I can whole-heartedly understand and explain my discomfort zone well enough to find a comfortable resolution.
And so, instead of going to the doctor on schedule, we're going to the park. At least for now. For tomorrow.
posted by Girl con Queso at 9:43 PM
11 Comments:
I, like so many, do not enough to make an intelligent comment here. That said, I know that I am foursquare against immunizing young girls against HPV, which is 100% preventable. Don't have sex. Done. Immunizing a 12 year old scares the beejeebees outta me. I fear, someday in the very near future we will see a spike in infertility from this vaccine, but it will be too late.
"One less" may just be said refrain: One less mom.
You are smart to read all you can before you make an important decision.
I think it's a smart move. You have to do what you feel is best for your child. And no matter what decision you make, it will be right because it's made out of love!!!!
Enjoy a day @ the park :) Clear your mind!
I think that's smart.
Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to NOT take the next step.
Do some research - see what you think.
Not an easy decision.
My daughter goes for her 2 year check up in a few weeks. This freaks me out as well. I don't know enough about it either. I don't understand why they can't just take the offending component out of the immunization and see what happens. maybe it's essential, i don't know. it would be nice if there was a "safer" schedule of shots or something - does that even exist? it seems that one side says do it! it's harmless! and the other says don't do it! you're doomed!
and it's too much for me to think about.
Feels like you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
My sister spreads out her kids shots, taking them in months apart so they never have more than one at a time. It seems to work for her.
Good for you. My husband and I researched and discussed and then researched and discussed and went back and forth and back and forth. We ended up doing what we were most comfortable with doing -- but our comfort level was never much above 50%. Research and think and then in the end, you'll have made an informed decision, either way. And...good luck with this one. It's tough. *sigh*
hey sista,
I don't have a baby as you know, but I have a boss with a baby and she waited until her son was like six years old to give the mmr shot, and he's fine, so my questions is, why do they give them so early? Does anyone know the answer to this? Why 2 years old? Is there some reason for that number? Why not 4 or 5 or 10? or something developmental like we give him the shot after he can read or something like that? or starting school? Why do we have to do it at such a physically vulnerable point in life?
The whole thing is so rife with stress for me that I would balk at thinking about it if not for the requirement that I must be aware of such things for my child's safety.
gah.
The whole shot/autism controversy stresses me out. So far, we're going with the shots, but not completely comfortable with the decision. We have avoided the flu shot, which isn't even the one that has been most widely discussed as a potential contributor to autism.
In California, vaccines for children can no longer contain thimerosol, but I would like to have more reassurance of their safety. Despite what I've read, I feel completely uninformed.
We have gone to the health department for all of our shots. They are thimerosol free (preservative free) plus they are free in the $$$ sense. Our Dr office does not have preservative free shots. We have a 5 month old...not too sure that we'll get the MMR on schedule. I'm not too comfortable either with immunizations.
I have no idea what you folks are talking about and I think that's probably a good thing. Seems like stress is involved, so I'm out.
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