Decisions, Decisions

I've been contemplating on bringing up the topic of Autism for a while. It's not exactly the first topic I've written on that's controversial and makes people uncomfortable. I've written about religion, politics, Wal-Mart, sex - all of which can lead to very heated discussion. But I think that because Autism is on the rise, for reasons largely unknown and currently under a great deal of debate, and because we're talking about decisions we're making regarding our children, that this is perhaps the most sensitive topic I've brought up. There is probably nothing a mother works harder for, than to raise her child to be a happy and healthy adult. I don't really know a great deal about Autism, but I do know that raising awareness and money for research into the potential causes, as well as treatments and hopefully a cure, is extremely important.

In reading the comments everyone has made regarding Autism, it makes me reflect on how difficult it is to be a parent and be responsible for making decisions regarding your child's health and well-being. Honestly, I wouldn't say I put a great deal of time and energy into my decision to stall the MMR vaccine for my kids. I talked with my pediatrician, did a little reading, discussed it with my husband - and that was it. If I'd had a different pediatrician, my choice would not necessarily have been the same. And now I'm wondering if in vaccinating LT, I should request individual doses of the vaccine, which I know my pediatrician would happily order for me. Because I know there's no right or wrong answer here, and my opinion on the course of action I will take changes daily as new information becomes available and as I am exposed to new opinions and paths that other parents have taken.

Being a parent and the multitude of decisions it requires is very overwhelming. The choice to vaccinate, or how to go about vaccinating, it's only one of the endless choices I make for my boys every day. Choices that started before they were born and will continue until their adulthood, and arguably until my dying day. And I question whether I have made the correct choices constantly. Was it right that I chose to circumcise them? Many would say it was inhumane and unnecessary. And after witnessing Trouble come back from his hoarse from screaming and LT developing a large blood clot that we were instructed not to touch and let fall off in its own time, I'm not sure I disagree with that assessment. But circumcised my boys are, for better or worse. How hard should I fight with them to get fruits and vegetables into their diets? Because some weeks I'm much better at forcing this on them than others, and lord knows I'm the only one besides their pediatrician who cares right now, and they're not going to get much if I'm not vigilant about it. I'm also lax about giving them vitamins, which I feel guilty about. But it's a pain in the ass and doesn't seem worth it, as I find them spit out and dried to floor after giving them to them. And what about having Trouble on Singulair for his asthma? Dr. H recommended we put him on it, as his asthma would periodically get so bad he'd end up on liquid steroids, and steroids depress the immune system. But now there's information out there that Singulair may cause depression and possibly suicide. I've yet to even talk to our pediatrician about this and Trouble's still currently taking it, as this is often his worse time of year for asthma.

It just seems that there is too much to know, too many decisions to make, and not enough time to make them properly. It doesn't help that the information regarding which choice you should make is often contradictory and confusing. And usually I'm trying to figure out what to do about these things at the end of the day, tired and spent from working, cooking, cleaning, homework, and all the other endless tasks a mother (and father) endures. And even more daunting, I know that in our family, the decision will always be mine to make, as Blackstone is always more than happy to pass that responsibility on to me, and I probably don't know how to let him make it anyway.

Comments

[Lissfull]

Oh, yet again, I know what you are talking about. Thing 1 gets the allergy shots and still needs medicine or he can't sleep. Thing 2 just started a new allergy medicine and is probably headed for shots too so he can avoid the midnight vomiting from all the post nasal drip. There is the singulair, the zyrtek the nasal spray, the air purifier, the surgeries and minor procedures, the therapies, the extra curricular activities. All of it is so overwhelming and, am I doing the right thing? And we have just started on the vegetables, I am almost officially no longer a short order cook at dinner, which is nothing less than a minor miracle. Every decision....ugh....we can only do our best and know that they will grow up in spite of all we do right or wrong and they will be good people. Hopefully not too sniffly.

[lissfull]

How funny you say that about book club...I was thinking today...why don't we ever go down to that restaurant near the house tonight and have a drink??

[Curls]

I guess the important thing is that we are all trying to do whats best for our kiddies. Sometimes I'm better at it then others...

[Curls]

Ok I should have previewed my post...yes I do speak English! I mean there are times that I am better at doing what is best for my kiddies, other times I let them have fruit loops and lollipops in front of the TV for dinner. Not that I am better than "other people"...oh my...that sounded terrible...