Since becoming a mom, I've turned into something of a germaphobe. I've always hated pain and discomfort and I'm not a very stoic sufferer of colds, aches and pains. And loss of sleep? Forget it. I'll do whatever it takes to lower the risk of (1) me getting sick and (2) my kids getting sick, because (2) always, ALWAYS, leads to (1). This means scowling at other kids' runny noses, wiggling out of playdates with recently feverish children and lots and lots of Purell.
So I look at parents who intentionally expose their kids to chicken pox at germ-sharing parties with a mix of bafflement and fatigue. Though I do understand the "let's just get it over with" approach, I'm definitely in the "let's not experience it at all" camp. I like the chicken pox vaccine.
Most doctors, of course, recommend against exposing kids to chicken pox and recommend their patients get the shot. But these parents look at their own experience with chicken pox -- it was no big deal -- and figure that outweighs any risks present with the vaccine.
Me? I'm just grossed out (I can't help it!) at the thought of my kid sucking on some sick kid's lollipop. And even just a few days of mothering the little ones through fevers and scratchy skin makes me want to curl up in a ball and take a nap. Added to that: my husband and his people are suuuuuuuper immune to chicken pox. His brothers have never had it and he got them when he was 25 years old (seeing him covered in scabs -- we were just dating at the time -- was this close to a relationship dealbreaker -- nasty!). So I'm all over the shot.
What about you? Did your kids get the shot? Or do you do the parties? Any success? Am I being a big, cold baby in not wanting my kids to actually get the disease?
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Photo: chicagotribune.com
