Look Around, It's a Hazy Shade of Winter

Everywhere I turn, every parent I know is talking about H1N1.  It's okay if you are rolling your eyes at that very first sentence.  I cringed just writing it. 

Yesterday I made a huge decision in vaccinating my kids (the oldest has heart disease, the youngest protected because of his age - he squeaked in under the young children age group). 

Before deciding, I consulted my son's cardiologist, our family doctor, my husband, and Granny.  I talked it over with girlfriends, with Twitter friends and others via email.  This wasn't a decision I took lightly and I just didn't want to be wrong.  The story of how I arrived at that decision is here, if you're interested.

Now that the kids are vaccinated, I continue to worry that one or both of them will pick up the virus before the shot has time to take effect.  I worry they will bring it home to my husband or I and one or both of us will be down and out before we've even had a chance to get the shot ourselves.  It seems to be spreading faster than we can get our population vaccinated.

All this worry can't be good for us.

Further to ensuring we're vaccinated, my family sure has gotten a wee bit out-of-sorts over what to do about events that are coming up.

My cousin canceled her Halloween Party for this weekend.  She is 33 weeks pregnant and is very unsure about getting the vaccine.  She felt it safer to reduce the amount of traffic in her home while she makes a firm decision on what to do.

Trick or treating is being banned in some cities and towns.  It hasn't been banned here but some parents are going to rent movies and stay home.  I'm leaning toward letting my kids trick or treat with mittens on and throwing the mittens in the wash when we get home, then washing up properly.  According to this article, trick or treating is actually going to be pretty safe.

There's a big baby shower coming up in our family too.  A lot of people will be inside my aunt's house.  The mom-to-be is nervous.  I tried to reassure her that people who are sick will likely stay home and those who do show up will be handling food, preparing food, holding babies...they all know to wash their hands beforehand.  I just won't be shaking any of those hands.

I don't say this nonchalantly and I sure don't dismiss the risks of being together, but I just think that we all need to calm down a little and be sensible.  This stress can't be good for anyone.  If you do get sick, do us all a favour and stay home.

I can only imagine what lies ahead with Christmas coming.  And so I await my shot...

This is an original post to Canada Moms Blog. Web Designer Karen Bodkin also blogs at her personal blog Karen Sugarpants and Craftastrophe, "because handmade isn't always pretty."

Photo credit: Canadian Immigrant