Measles Outbreak // MMR Vaccine

Hello All,

I live pretty close to NYC and to say that this measles outbreak has me worried would be an understatement!!

I've been off the grid for a bit but this topic brought me back to my blog. It's too important to ignore.

I wish people would understand that vaccines are safe. The bull shit out there is frustrating and scary. Yes, you can say NO to any vaccine but is that really a good idea? I think NOT!

Now that we know vaccines DO NOT cause Autism, perhaps it's time to reconsider those vaccines? Um HELLO! The reason we don't see most of these diseases anymore is because we have VACCINES that protect us.

Now that we have more folks saying NO to vaccines // Lookie what pops up -- The Measles are Back! Glad my kids are protected. Are yours?

Go get your MMR vaccines!!!!

Our moms protected us!! No measles // YEAH!

Vaccine Opt-Outs Rise

Had to add this since I just wrote a piece on vaccines. What do you think?

Private school vaccine opt-outs rise

Vaccine Debate? To Vacinate or Not. That is the Question

A friend of mine just moved back east after being gone for many years. She needed help finding doctors, dentists, preschools...etc.
So I recommended my family doctor (whom I adore & have been going to for 10 years) and she made an appointment for her 3 year old. When my doctor saw the child's immunization record he could not hold back his opinion. The child had never had a vaccine. In fact, none of her three kids were vaccinated. This was a conscious choice my friend made. She did her homework and is also highly educated. She did not make this choice lightly.
The doctor began to tell her that her that she was putting her children (and other children) at risk and that is was NOT a good idea to skip vaccinations. She was very insulted with his attitude ad felt that he was judging her (he was!).
It's safe to say that my friend never saw that doctor again. She found a local doctor that was more her style. Out of the 40 something vaccines recommended by doctors in America, this doctor only thinks 12 are necessary. He follows a European style of vaccines.

This is a personal issue. I believe we as parents have the choice as long as we educate ourselves on the topic.
I chose to vaccinate my kids but there are shots that I skipped for personal reasons. I am a stay at home mom so my kids are not exposed to as many germs as a day care child would be. I usually do flu shots but there have been years that I dropped the ball on that one.
The bottom line, is that it is our choice as parents. I feel that the doctor was a little harsh on my friend. Before any well baby visit, I empower myself with information so I know what to expect. I do my homework on vaccines and any other issues that might come up. I have a conversation with the doctor or nurse and together, we make the best decision on what is appropriate for my children.
So this article below discusses vaccines at school. I look forward to passing this along to my friend and asking her opinion on it. What do you think? Should this be done at school?

Doctors have mixed reaction to vaccinations at school

I just found another interesting article @ www.myhealthnewsdaily.com
The title of the piece is "5 Dangerous Vaccination Myths"
Do check it out :)

Our New Normal

Life as we know it has changed after the tragedy in my neighboring town of Newtown, Ct. Trying to explain this to my small children is close to an impossible task when I can barely process this devastation and loss myself.
For me, writing has always been therapeutic and healing during challenging times. So I turn to my blog. Not sure of the audience but throwing it out there to share with anyone who decides to take a peek into my thoughts..

What has given me such a heavy heart is not only the loss of so many innocent children but also the loss of a sense that we are no longer safe. I moved to this town because it is safe. I wanted the best for my kids. But the sad lesson that I have learned is that tragedy does not discriminate. It can happen anywhere to anyone at any time. That scares the hell out of me but that is the reality we live in.

So does this change the way I live my life? Yes, it does. I now go into public places and hold my kids a little closer. I find myself looking over my shoulder in malls, supermarkets and even movie theatres. I think it is important for all of us to be more aware. No, I do not think we should be armed with guns ((but I have tossed around the idea of buying a tazer gun)). It's not time to be paranoid but it IS time to open our eyes a little wider and to be more mindful of our surroundings. It's time to reach out to friends, neighbors and family so we can work together protecting each other and keeping our environment safe. Nurturing that sense of community plays an important role in our kids sense of security. Isn't that what we all want for our kids? Being secure and confident. If we can give our kids that gift, I feel that the rest will fall into place.

I have to admit, my family and community is experiencing a New Normal with lock down practices at school and new security procedures. We now have an on going conversation in my house (and at school) about what we would do in certain situations. If we don't talk about it, how will they know what to do?

It sounds so cliche but we really have to look at the Newtown tragedy and learn from it. I can go on and on about gun control or mental illness...
These are issues that need to be examined but I will save that discussion for another day..

We need to work together in life and give each other a hand along the way.
How are you adjusting to your New Normal?

 

 

My Magical Garden

My garden is full of gifts this season!!

These are tomato plants that couldn't fit in the raised beds. Please don't eat them deer!

My beloved raised beds. I am so proud of this garden. No easy task creating this while pregnant but such a labor of love.

~Happy gardening All !!