When you know better you do better

I always feel like I'm judged on the choices I make as a parent. I feel like I've come so far since I became a mom almost 12 years ago. I had no idea what to expect going into parenthood. I had no idea what the future would look like and how my family would end up. I went along with the main stream and just did what everyone else did. I circumcised, vaccinated, supplemented with formula and just went along with what others did. I never understood why someone wouldn't do those things. Certainly if they didn't do those they were just being difficult.

It wasn't until Zander came along that things really started to change for me. With each of my previous hospital births I felt forced while vulnerable to get some IV drugs, even when I said I didn't want them or to be offered them. When a woman is down there isn't much she won't do to get through the trek of child birth. Even now as an advocate for natural/unmedicated/homebirth deliveries if someone said this will take all your pain away with no side effects I'd likely be all over that. But back to Zander I finally made it through with nothing but forced IV fluids, and then after delivery I was forced a bag of pit (likely with something else mixed in because of the effects it had on me). That was it I knew then that I wanted something better. Then on my birth plan I had asked that they wait an hour to vaccinate him (for that really really necessary Hep B). We switched rooms before he was given it and the mother/baby unit didn't know anything about it. I didn't force it and went on. After we left and we went in for his appointments I knew I just couldn't watch him suffer from the pain. And that is where my research began.

What was the purpose of this vaccine? Was my newborn running the risk of catching this disease? What side effects were there to this vaccine? Something about vaccinating didn't feel right and I was going to figure out what that was and why. The information out there is amazing. I'm far from alone in my journey to keep my kids safe and healthy without a vaccine. There are others out there like me and most have spent tons of time researching and weighing their choices just like I have.

I wanted to add in here because I can't finish this today because Mason is asking for me is this.
The overall health of my children and my family is amazing since we stopped vaccinating and therefore stopped monthly treks to the doctors's office. For as many children as I have we have maybe 3-4 illnesses a year (colds, 24 hour bugs, 5ths disease). My younger 2 have had no ear infections or symptoms requiring a check up.

I will be back to finish eventually.