Yes, The Apple Does not Fall Far From the Tree

January 21, 2009

Yes, The Apple Does not Fall Far From the Tree

I have hot buttons. Topics that when they come up, I will put in my 2, 20 or 99 cents worth. Why? Because I care. Because I have very strong opinions and feelings on the issue and I like to share our story. I don't even care if my story doesn't totally convince you. But, I feel better once I put it out there. Food for thought, I like to think of it as. What's my hot button? Shots. Vaccinations. And, who should call them - the government, or parents?

Here in New Jersey, the government is definitely calling the shots by mandating flu shots among others for school children. A few months ago, my children and I attended not just one, but two, vaccination rally events where we stood up for Vaccination Choice in New Jersey. So yes, Shots are definitely my 'hot button'.

I never realized how much my involvement in the Vax Choice movement would have as much as an impact on my children. But, they clearly do "get it". Yes, even my 3 year old gets it.

And just how do I know that. I'll share. You see, last week she had a typical little 3 year old playdate with her BFF when something pivotal happened.

The girls sat playing quietly and contented with my daughter's Animal Hospital playset where they tended to the pets by checking their heartbeats and feeding them with playfood. They were having a blast when my daughter's friend pulled out the play syringe "shot" from the toolkit and after giving some of the pets a shot or two she turned and attempted to give my daughter a shot with it.

The look on my daughter's face was priceless. Of course I didn't have my camera ready, but what she did will forever remain embedded in memory.

Her response, "Um, no thanks. Do you know we have a NO MORE SHOTS sign?"

At that moment, there was never a prouder mama. The apple sure did not far fall from the tree. Nope, not far at all.

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Original New Jersey Moms Blog post. Read more adventures in vaccination from MaryTara at her blog The Bon Bon Gazette where she shares Jersey Shore life with autism and without it.