Parenting and Religion

As a parent, there are always decisions to make. Each day, each age, each new season, offers parents an opportunity to make a good decision, a mediocre decision, or a bad decision, on the behalf of their children.
One thing that has been pushed by the medical community and by the government for many years, is immunizing children. Not only with immunizations that have been around and tested well for many years, but also with new ones, such as the H1N1 vaccine they are developing. Or, if you prefer a more common term, the Swine Flu Vaccine.
I have already made my decision on this. Have you considered it?
With the new school year soon to begin, and a more widespread flu than was expected over the summer months, the push to have a vaccine for all children to receive, is on.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I don’t do something just because the doctor says I should- whether it be for me or my children. I investigate it myself.
I have looked into this, as I have other vaccines. Like some of the others, this will be one that my children won’t get.
I also don’t allow them to receive the chicken pox vaccine, the hepatitis B vaccine, or the HPV vaccine. I don’t let the doctors give them the MMR and the DPT together, and insist on at least a three month wait in between those two.
I have signed forms at the pediatricians office that state that I am non compliant with the doctors recommendations for particular vaccines, and have been accused of putting my children at risk.
I see it different. I think that as long as a parent is informed and has considered all possibilities, they have the right and the obligation to their children, to make such decisions on their behalf.
The history of coming up with new vaccines and pushing them through has had some devastating results. Look at the swine flu of the 1970’s.
Tough Decisions? yes.
Will you always make the right ones? Maybe not.
Should you have the option to make the wrong decision? Absolutely. You are the parent. Not the Government.