Comments for The Carraway Seed

Comment on The Vaccine Scene by mooseloon

mooseloon — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:13:39 +0000

I really like your well thought out decision. You also get to a point that a lot of people miss- vaccination is for the good of the population as well as the kid who is vaccinated. If there are a few un-vaccinated (or whom the vaccine doesn’t take hold in) they are generally protected by being too small/isolated population for the disease to really take hold & infect the vulnerable.

I generally agree with vaccination; i’m not really sure i’m down with vaccinating babies against the “only gotten from sex/needles” diseases until they’re a little older though.

Comment on The Vaccine Scene by azfree

azfree — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:54:29 +0000

With all the messages pro and con vaccines, sometimes its hard to know which way to go. But I personally believe you made the right decision — particularly based on the logic behind it. It is a decision we also struggled with. Our doctor was telling us one thing, and our friends were telling us other things. And the media isn’t generally helpful on such matters. I think one of the hardest parts about being a parent is trying to make the right decisions for your child to protect them at all costs.

Comment on The Vaccine Scene by thecarrawayseed

thecarrawayseed — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:51:33 +0000

We could have gotten it from the Health Dept. last week, but we would have been waiting hours in incredibly long lines — not that feasible with a young baby who wants to nap every couple of hours. Plus, I was a little worried about what either of us might pick up while waiting in line. It’s just as well we didn’t, because we were both sick by the end of the week anyway, with something else.

Comment on The Vaccine Scene by Jennifer Crispin

Jennifer Crispin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:47:59 +0000

What one has to remember is that while most children come out of chicken pox none the worse for wear, except for maybe a few scars from pox they couldn’t stop scratching, it does lead to serious complications for some. My high school guidance counselor’s daughter died from it. As far as I know, she didn’t have any prior medical conditions to indicate that she was at any particular risk.

Anyway, Beth, I agree that this was a very measured and well-thought out post. I try to talk about vaccines in a calm manner on occasion, but at some point my brain boggles over and I always seem to end up in a rant.

Also, while I’m sure you’d rather get the H1N1 vaccine sooner rather than later, there is some evidence to support that if a child has been vaccinated for *any* other flu more than a month previous to receiving H1N1, then that child would only need one shot, not two.

I’d still keep bugging your local health department anyway. She’s in one of the highest level risk groups, I’d be surprised if some isn’t made available to you soon.

Comment on The Vaccine Scene by Tara

Tara — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:42:01 +0000

It sounds like you guys did all the right research and came to a reasoned decision. Laurel can continue licking the things in the park, now!

I think I had shots for measles, rhubella (rhuwhatta?), and polio as a baby, but I don’t think the shot-suite included much else.

I can see wanting to protect one’s child, and I’d probably be inclined to go the same route. But I wonder sometimes about how much weaker (based on completely cursory research and analysis) “we” seem to be, based on the popularity of these highly recommended, new-fangled vaccinations. Parent friends these days seem to lose their minds over the possibility of chicken pox in their kids, though it was a rite of passage for us in second grade. Etc.

Comment on The Vaccine Scene by James

James — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:11:30 +0000

Well thought out and expressed, Beth. I agree with your views and actions as well. Having been born in the 40’s, I’ve had many a needle in my small body with some scars to show for it. But I’ve never contracted any of what the vaccinations where designed to prevent.

I’m cautious as well about inducing an agent into my system and some years I choose not to get a flu shot. That decision is usually based on how I feel, strangely enough, and how strong I feel my immune system is at the time. I don’t know if I can explain that any better but given my history with a major disease I have a sense of what’s working and how well that is always with me now. I listen.

Yours and Devin’s decisions are sound and well investigated. With the pathogens that are floating around on this planet now those decisions could save a life and probably will.

I always enjoy reading your thoughts and processes, Beth. Look forward to seeing you, and the family soon. Have a beautiful day.

Comment on Solid Standing by mooseloon

mooseloon — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:46:29 +0000

Is there a reason that the doctor feels strongly about this? Although it does now seem like she is showing signs of becoming interested in foods, this really seems much more like a “give them the opportunity and they’ll do it when they’re ready” type situation, particularly when she isn’t doing things like sitting on her own yet (although she does seem to just be skipping that stage.)

Comment on Perils by Alyse

Alyse — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:02:05 +0000

I have to agree with the above posters. My children both have had their share of conked heads. In both the little and now bigger stages. My daughter in particular seems to be fond of using her head NOW as a test to see if she will fit into someplace. I think a few scrapes, bonks and such are VERY healthy for children. They need to learn that corners are more painful to run into then a solid surface, and that climbing up on tables in socks and falling off hurts a lot and that is why we tell them NOT to do it! Hahaha.

Comment on Perils by mooseloon

mooseloon — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:56:10 +0000

I really agree that learning natural concequences is super important for kid development. Its much better she learn these things early when overall she bounces quite well and is physically designed to fall/bonk/bang into things.

Comment on Happy half-birthday by thecarrawayseed

thecarrawayseed — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:07:17 +0000

Bethany, of course I’m amazed. :) Of course, if I had a full milk supply it’d be a lot more like 50 or 60 gallons, but nevermind!