Hello dear friends,
I appreciate our diverse parenting styles, whether you lean towards a more natural approach or a traditional one. I’m all for holistic practices; I can juggle nursing my baby while navigating a grocery store filled with cloth-diapered toddlers sipping on organic juices. I’m even brewing my own kombucha! If we were back in the ’60s, I’d be right at home.
However, there’s a topic that often goes unaddressed between us—the subject of vaccinations. While my children are fully vaccinated, your children have not received any immunizations.
This silence around vaccines is similar to avoiding political discussions with certain family members: there’s little common ground. I’ve put in the effort to understand the science behind vaccines, reading package inserts and medical studies. I’ve considered various viewpoints, including the opposition to vaccines. Ultimately, I’ve chosen to trust established authorities like the CDC, AAP, WHO, and even our pediatrician.
Conversely, I understand that you may not have faith in the science surrounding vaccinations. You might follow different studies, which I personally find questionable, while you perceive the research I trust as influenced by pharmaceutical interests. It’s clear that we have differing perspectives on credible sources and the safety of vaccines.
I want to clarify that I respect you. I don’t think you’re misinformed or deliberately ignoring the evidence. You’ve conducted your own research, and while I may disagree with your conclusions, I value our friendship too much to merely fall back on clichés about making the best choices for our families. I believe my decision is correct and yours is misguided.
Despite this disagreement, I want our friendship to remain intact, especially in light of recent outbreaks of diseases like measles. I cherish you, but I do not have the same affection for infectious diseases. If there’s even one case of measles nearby, I will be cautious about my children interacting with unvaccinated kids until they receive their full vaccination series.
We have a general understanding that sick children should stay home. However, with unvaccinated kids, I have additional concerns about potential diseases they might carry. If you’ve been around anyone who is sick, please refrain from inviting my kids over to play.
You might argue, “If your kids are vaccinated, why worry?” But, let’s not delve into comparative discussions—just consider this a gesture of friendship. And, by the way, if you plan to attend any pox parties, please give me a heads-up. Varicella can be contagious before symptoms appear, and it’s crucial for me to know so I can keep my children safe.
In return, I will inform you whenever my kids receive vaccinations. I understand your concerns regarding vaccine shedding, and while I believe it’s not an issue, I respect your worries. Knowing when my children receive their MMR, varicella, and other live-virus vaccines can help ease your mind.
Most importantly, I promise to approach our discussions with respect. While I may not agree with your interpretation of the scientific data, we can still maintain a respectful dialogue. Think of it like political commentators who can disagree yet still share a bond. I can think you’re mistaken without considering you unreasonable.
And I hope you can extend that same courtesy to me.
In summary, although we may have differing views on vaccination, I value our friendship and believe we can navigate this topic with respect and understanding. The safety of our children is paramount, and open communication is key to maintaining our connection as parents.
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