“As a parent we all have to make a variety of choices about the health and safety of our children. Today I want to tell you about a very difficult choice I recently made.
My child will not wear a seatbelt.
Here is the thing. I understand that the government gives us statistics “proving” the so-called effectiveness of seat belts to prevent significant injury or death. I have read all of the studies that show that since the invention of the seat belt and it’s widespread use, how significant injury and death have gone way down.
My child will not wear a seatbelt.
Here is the thing. I understand that the government gives us statistics “proving” the so-called effectiveness of seat belts to prevent significant injury or death. I have read all of the studies that show that since the invention of the seat belt and it’s widespread use, how significant injury and death have gone way down.
BUT, I also personally know of two people whose children were seriously bruised by a seat belts during a collision. And then I read about this one case where a car crashed, the child was trapped inside because of the seatbelt… and the child died.
Unacceptable. I am just not willing to take that risk.
I get a lot of flack for my decision. People tell me that I am putting my child in danger. I disagree. I have been driving around for years with my children NOT in seat belts and nothing has happened. This is proof positive that our government is overreacting and exaggerating the real danger of vehicle collisions. Besides since they passed the laws, carseat manufacturers are making a killing on these so called “safety seats”. You can’t tell me the movement to put everyone in seat belts isn’t financially motivated.
So I would appreciate it if you would respect my choice, as a parent, not to subject my child to the very serious dangers of having to wear a seat belt.”
Wait…. what?!
If someone seriously wrote this article as an explanation for not putting a seat belt on their child, we would all be losing our minds, correct? I mean we see people lose their minds as a part of the Mommy Wars all the time when parents don’t rear face their children until they are attending kindergarten.
We have all accepted, as a society, that seat belts (while not a perfect solution that can prevent every single injury or death) are a safety measure that we should REQUIRE people to use with children. It is a law. People can be fined and even can be charged with neglect and child endangerment if they refuse to buckle up.
And we all accept it. Because it saves lives. And we all KNOW it is what is best for our children.
Insert the current heated debate over the anti-vaccination movement, thanks to a recent outbreak of measles in California. I have been engaged in this debate on social media for the better part of a week and I am absolutely floored by some of the arguments made for NOT vaccinating your child.
“I refuse to inject my child with a life-saving vaccine because there is a chance a part of it could cause a reaction.”
“Vaccines are just a way for the government to make more money.”
“I know in my heart that vaccines caused autism in my child or that of someone I know, so I will refuse.”
“You have not convinced me that diseases like measles are dangerous.”
“My kids are not vaccinated and they haven’t gotten anyone sick yet.”
“It is my choice!”
The debate this week has made me incredibly angry. As an immune compromised person it angers me. As a parent it angers me. As an American it angers me.
But as the numbers rise and the measles cases are reaching more states… my anger is being replaced with serious concern and a feeling of desperation. I think it is time for us to seriously start pleading with anti-vaccination parents to reconsider their decision… and then if that doesn’t work? I HATE government intervention… but it might be time to take some of that choice away from parents.
I don’t want us to wait until we hear about the first deaths of innocent children after contracting this disease. Please, parents. I am begging you.
Put that seatbelt on your child!
Unacceptable. I am just not willing to take that risk.
I get a lot of flack for my decision. People tell me that I am putting my child in danger. I disagree. I have been driving around for years with my children NOT in seat belts and nothing has happened. This is proof positive that our government is overreacting and exaggerating the real danger of vehicle collisions. Besides since they passed the laws, carseat manufacturers are making a killing on these so called “safety seats”. You can’t tell me the movement to put everyone in seat belts isn’t financially motivated.
So I would appreciate it if you would respect my choice, as a parent, not to subject my child to the very serious dangers of having to wear a seat belt.”
Wait…. what?!
If someone seriously wrote this article as an explanation for not putting a seat belt on their child, we would all be losing our minds, correct? I mean we see people lose their minds as a part of the Mommy Wars all the time when parents don’t rear face their children until they are attending kindergarten.
We have all accepted, as a society, that seat belts (while not a perfect solution that can prevent every single injury or death) are a safety measure that we should REQUIRE people to use with children. It is a law. People can be fined and even can be charged with neglect and child endangerment if they refuse to buckle up.
And we all accept it. Because it saves lives. And we all KNOW it is what is best for our children.
Insert the current heated debate over the anti-vaccination movement, thanks to a recent outbreak of measles in California. I have been engaged in this debate on social media for the better part of a week and I am absolutely floored by some of the arguments made for NOT vaccinating your child.
“I refuse to inject my child with a life-saving vaccine because there is a chance a part of it could cause a reaction.”
“Vaccines are just a way for the government to make more money.”
“I know in my heart that vaccines caused autism in my child or that of someone I know, so I will refuse.”
“You have not convinced me that diseases like measles are dangerous.”
“My kids are not vaccinated and they haven’t gotten anyone sick yet.”
“It is my choice!”
The debate this week has made me incredibly angry. As an immune compromised person it angers me. As a parent it angers me. As an American it angers me.
But as the numbers rise and the measles cases are reaching more states… my anger is being replaced with serious concern and a feeling of desperation. I think it is time for us to seriously start pleading with anti-vaccination parents to reconsider their decision… and then if that doesn’t work? I HATE government intervention… but it might be time to take some of that choice away from parents.
I don’t want us to wait until we hear about the first deaths of innocent children after contracting this disease. Please, parents. I am begging you.
Put that seatbelt on your child!
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