Vaccines

When your child's in preschool — and still building an immune system — it might seem like he’s susceptible to an endless stream of colds. Germs are just a part of preschool and daycare that all moms have to deal with, says Circle of Moms member Sarah. But how sick should your child be before you decide to keep him home from school?

That’s the question moms Bethany G. and Esther D. are wrestling with. "I really struggle with when to keep my kids home from school activities when they ‘may be’ sick. How do you decide?" Bethany wonders. Esther's questions are more pointed. She wonders what other parents do when little ones have mild symptoms, like a runny nose, and whether it's okay to send them to school even though they can spread germs.

Many members say symptoms like fever, vomiting or diarrhea make the decision to keep your child home from preschool clear-cut, and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) backs them up, advising parents to keep kids with flu-like symptoms home for "at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines," and "even if they are using antiviral medicines."

But when symptoms are less prominent parents are left to their own guidance. So what should a mildly sick child to to school and when should he be kept at home? I've rounded up some of the most common viewpoints below.

1. "It's Wrong to Send a Mildly Sick Kid to School"

Many moms who believe that sick kids should not be at school at all resent the parents who have sent them. For instance, Jodi Z., who used to run an in-home daycare, she says she has seen many seemingly innocent runny noses quickly turn into something more serious like strep throat, croup, whooping cough, or the flu. "Sometimes, a clear runny nose is just the first sign of something big, even without other symptoms," she says. "Why put other children at risk and risk your child getting worse? ... .[It's] frustrating to take my daughter somewhere, in good health, and see children with snotty noses and coughing (not covering their mouths). If I want to purposefully expose my child to an illness, I'll do it in the controlled setting in my doctor's office," she adds.

A mom named Gemma agrees, saying that keeping her son home when he is sick is the right thing to do by other families. "But unfortunately, there are some parents who don’t do the same. It makes me angry," she adds. When parents send their children to school with colds, it seems like they don’t have any consideration for the other kids and their families who could catch the colds, Gemma explains. Her family recently has had bronchitis, gastrointestinal sickness and conjunctivitis, thanks to her son, who picked up the germs and brought them home from daycare.

"It's infuriating when parents send their children to school sick and they know full well. Poor little children just want to be home getting some TLC anyways," says a member named Charlie, who is a teacher. She recalls when a parent sent her non-immunized child, who had contracted rubella, to school while she was pregnant. "My unborn baby could have been blinded, severely brain damaged or dead!"

2. "If Symptoms are Minor it's Okay"

While moms like Jodi resent the frequency with which their children catch colds from their preschool classmates, other parents, including a member named Mylene, say they understand that not every parent can make the choice to stay home each time the kids have a runny nose. Moreover, she believes children should be exposed to some germs to build their immune systems.

"It’s quite impossible to shelter our children from all illnesses," she says. "If we had to keep children quarantine for every little illness they ever get, neither of us would have a job and we would be living on the street. Not everyone has family around to take care of the children."

In recognition of this reality, Mylene tries to be careful about the decision to send a mildly sick child to school: "Whenever I have any doubt that it's not just a cold, he stays home," she says.

Jessica B. actually welcomes children with minor colds at her son’s preschool. "I would like my son’s immune system to be very [developed to protect] against these illnesses when he is older," she explains.

Not Every Sniffle is Contagious

Other moms point out that not every sniffle or runny nose is a sign of a cold. For instance, Becky F. says her entire family gets stuffy noses all winter because of the dry weather. "A runny nose and a bit of a cough, fine. Some kids have those all winter, but really aren't sick. The poor parents would get fired if they had to stay home for that," she says. 

Mom Nicky has similar sentiments, explaining that her daughter has really bad allergies and asthma. "If she stayed home every time she had sniffles or a cough, she would never go to school."

Holly’s daughter has asthma and severe seasonal allergies, so she follows a regimen that causes her to have a productive cough during the day. "I get so many dirty looks from other parents, but I always send an email to the teacher, and I keep her home if she has a fever, if she has an [abnormally] runny nose, or if the coughing is disturbing her sleep (because that signals the cough is being caused by something more than allergies)," she explains.

As a result, Holly understands to a point when parents bring their kids to preschool with a cough or something mild, but thinks that when a child is obviously sick, they should be kept at home.

3. "Each School Needs to Find a Happy Medium"

Ultimately, moms on both sides of the debate agree that the severity of your preschooler’s sickness is the most important decision factor, and that all parents should keep kids with symptoms like fever, vomiting, and rough breathing at home.

"[A] runny or stuffy nose, or mild cough [are sometimes] the effects of a cold that can last for weeks; I don't think it's necessary to keep them home," says one member. "However, I do think that it's essential that if you're going to send them to school, that you teach them to wash their hands, cover their mouths, use Kleenex and not their clothing, avoid direct contact with another child if you just sneezed or coughed until you can go wash your hands, etc." she says.

In reality, most moms do want to stay home and take care of a child who is really ill. A mom named Anika, who is also a daycare worker, points out that moms generally recognize that preschools and daycares are busy, noisy places, and that if their children are sick, they’ll likely get better faster by staying at home.

When parents are having a tough time making the judgment call as to whether to keep a sick child home from school, then Krista E. suggests referring to the preschool provider’s sick policy. "My daycare provider and the other moms all have a tacit agreement that a common cold is fine. I don't get upset if some other kid is at the daycare with a runny nose — it happens. And I know that a lot of the other mothers there don't get any sick days, so I'm not going to demand that some poor woman put her job in jeopardy. Now if it's something more serious, we keep them home, also by tacit agreement," she says.

In other words, Krista believes that preschools should talk to parents and set a policy with regard to sick kids that is as agreeable to as many of the parents as possible. "If one or two parents don't like the policy, they will either have to deal with it, or look elsewhere."

Image Source: SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Only crazy people let you stab them with metal! Everybody knows this, yet I am supposed to allow a nurse to stick a needle into my precious baby boy. I am expected to go against all of my protective instincts and willfully pull up my son's sleeve and let a nurse take a jab. They call it a “shot” to make you feel better about it, and for some reason it’s legal. I hate shots!

After weeks of dreading this, Elias’ two-month appointment finally came. I hoped this day would magically go missing from my calendar, but sadly it stayed. Sitting in a cold waiting room, the mural of cartoon characters seemed to breathe down my neck as I tried to muster up the mental capacity to be strong. My sweet 12 pound baby was wrapped in a cozy blue blanket unaware of the procedures awaiting him. I thought to myself, “I am about to let some lady hurt my son…what kind of a mother am I?” and, "She is going to make me pay for this!”

As you can see there were many reasons to want to cry. My thoughts were interrupted by a nurse calling us to a back room.

After waiting a few minutes, the dreaded tray was ushered into the room. The medicines ready for injection. The menacing grin upon the nurse’s face was enough to send me into a speedy meltdown. I tried to remain calm for my son. Looking into his deep blue eyes, I thought if the “parent remains calm so will the child.” Even though I think I saw that on some animal show that really said if the “owner remains calm so will the animal.” Having no parenting experience, I hoped this would work.

“Mom, if you’ll just hold him on the table I’ll go ahead and give him this shot” the nurse stated. “Oh good idea, I’ll hold him down while you torture him. I don’t think so lady!” That was what I was thinking, but “okay” meekly came out of my mouth. Unhappy, I turned my head away and she did it. She pierced his chubby little thigh. A painful cry emerged from Elias’ whimpering lips. That is when the second injection was given. I closed my eyes as another loud cry came. Then tears stung my eyes and began to rush down my cheeks. Blubbering myself, I had to practice “birth class” breathing techniques again so I wouldn’t start howling. Not regularly acquainted with this spectrum of public emotion, I pinned my chin to my shoulder. I didn’t want anyone to see that I was crying, but it was too late. The nurse looked at me anxiously and asked “Are you alright?”  My brain was kicking itself and telling me “I didn’t get the shot” but my mouth just began mumbling non-understandable phrases. Desperately wanting everything to be ok the nurse looked at the build up of tears in my eyes and then at the door. Without hesitating she lowered her head and left quickly. There I was, a sniveling, weepy mess. I just kept thinking “Wow this public display of emotion is new to me. Why am I crying?”

It was my mom and sister who could have won an Emmy for their dramatic falls to the floor and loud whaling whenever tragedy struck, not me. They could have been hired as professional mourners because tears would leak from their eyes and they would give each other impressively long hugs.  But here I was being emotional!

I forced a smile onto my red face and whispered to myself “First Time Mom!” I’m telling you, when someone else’s shot hurts you more than it hurts them; you know you are a mother.

We did survive our doctor visit. I eventually stole Elias away from the pain, and cuddled my sweet bundle of tears until both he and I were comforted by his toothless smile. His little swollen eyes seemed to thank me for rescuing him from that very mean lady.

As we left the doctor’s office a lady in the waiting room looked at me and asked, “Did that little guy get a shot? I thought I heard somebody crying.” I wanted to say “oh no that was probably me– sorry.”

Image Source: Ashley Baker

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

I consider myself a fairly smart and informed parent.  I keep up with my daughter’s pediatric visits, keep up by subscribing to e-newsletters such as WebMD and BabyCenter, and exchange developmental notes with other parents quite frequently. In addition, I thought the fact that I moonlight as a pharmacist on my days off from being full time mommy was an advantage of sorts. But even with my medical background, I was dumbfounded by three “toddler lessons” I encountered recently.

1. Holding Poop for a Really, Really Long Time

I did not discover how strong my two-year-old's will, determination, and sphincter muscles were until we started potty training. All of a sudden, my daughter went from going “poopy” three times a day to holding her bowel movements for seven days in a row. Yes, you read correctly! Apparently, all you have to do is encourage a toddler to poop in the toilet and she can go from a regular pooping princess to irregular royalty. At this point, going number two in the potty involves lots of water and prune juice, a bribe of goldfish here and there, an insanely quiet bathroom, and lots of prayers.

2. Hand, Food and Mouth Disease

Other than the “poop showdown,” we have a healthy and happy little person. She is up-to-date on her vaccinations and never misses a doctor’s appointment. What she did not have (back in June anyway), was the most tolerant immune system. You see, up until this past summer my daughter did not attend any child care centers or programs. She is our only child and  I was her primary care taker. Well, imagine my surprise when my daughter woke up one day with a fever and a sore throat and developed red pustule-like bumps on her hands, face and limbs. We took her to the doctor and it was discovered that she had Hand, Foot and Mouth disease. Huh?!?  I had never even heard about this virus until a few days before her episode.

Apparently, the virus was making its rounds at her new school. Much to our dismay, all we could do is offer supportive care (ibuprofen for fever/pain, keeping her hydrated, ice pops for her sore throat, and keeping her comfortable.) No amount of antibiotics would help, as this is a virus. So if your toddler ends up with Hand, Foot and Mouth disease, you just have to “ride it out,” so to speak.

3. Toxic  Synovitis

Maybe a week after the virus scare, things seemed to be back to normal. The fever was gone and my daughter’s sores were pretty healed. But one morning, as we called her for her regular morning cereal, she refused to go to the table to eat. She actually demanded to be picked up rather than walk to her chair to savor her favorite time of the day: Meal Time!

My husband and I gave in initially and carried the princess wherever she needed to go. But, once I had enough, I beckoned her to partake in some of her favorite activities with me: go to the park, play catch, all of which she either refused or tried to part-take in while on her knees. This paralyzed me with fear and I rushed her to the ER.  The diagnosis was toxic synovitis. Apparently, toxic synovitis is a temporary condition affecting children that causes inflammation of the joints. Symptoms include: hip, thigh and leg pain, which can cause the child to limp due to the amount of pain experienced. Younger kids may refuse to walk altogether, often resorting to crawling or walking on their knees. 

After a week of me carrying an extra thirty pound weight around and having her take some time off from school to rest her limbs she was back to herself. Our princess was rested, walking and “ready to go!"

Actually, we are still working on “ready to go” part.  She now goes poopy every two days.  Sweet victory!

Image Source: Karelnoppe via Fotolia

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Throughout the generations parents have believed, “If my child would just do as I say then we wouldn’t have to argue, fuss, or fight.” But your child's lack of cooperation is only 50% of the story. The other 50% is yours: the way you're encouraging your child to do the things you need her to do. Being too demanding creates rebellion and power struggle. Using threats creates fear, which only leads to more fear.

Some common situations that lead to parent-child power struggles are insisting that your child brush her teeth for two minutes only to see her ignore you and chew on the toothbrush, or demanding that he eat his veggies, which makes him throw a fuss so he doesn’t have to. Or the anxiety you have when your child needs a shot and cries as you walk into the doctor's office. 

Here are some wonderful products that will allow your child some independence in situations like these, so that you don't have to go through awful power struggles to accomplish these simple, everyday tasks.

6 Products That Make Parenting Easier

1. Twooth Timer

Getting a child to brush his teeth for two full minutes can turn into a power struggle. Lisa L., a Circle of Moms member with a 2-year-old, says her son, “Likes the tooth brush and asks for it, but then brushes for about two seconds and then uses it as a bat or drum stick or hair brush or back scratcher.”

Helpful Product: “Twooth® Timer is a friendly looking two-minute tooth brushing timer designed to make dental hygiene a fun habit for kids and reduce stress for parents.”

2. Buzzy for Shots

Like Jennifer W., many parents experience power struggles at the pediatician's office: “Every time we go to the doctors now, she asks if she is getting a shot. I’m not going l lie to her when the time comes, but I am weak in the knees at the thought of them jamming needles in her legs,” she shares.

Helpful Product: Enter Buzzy, a unique and helpful way to “change the doctor visit drama from "Do I have to get a shot?" to "Did you bring Buzzy?" "Buzzy is an over the counter combination of cold and vibration that desensitizes the skin to shots.”

3.  Parking Pal Magnet

How many times have you had to chase your kids in stores and parking lots? The kids think it’s fun to run away, but mom and dad get increasingly agitated until they begin threatening, yelling or punishing.

Helpful Product: What if you had a large fun magnet that could be placed anywhere? Place ParkingPalMagnet on your car so your kids can touch it and remain close to you, or stick it to anything metal at the counter while paying for purchases. It’s a clever and simple way to make outings a little bit easier.

4. AVA the Elephant

You’re child is sick and needs medicine, again. You know you’ll have to struggle, plead, and bribe in order for her to take the medicine she needs to get well.

Helpful Product: AVA the Elephant® is a clever talking toy that helps take the anxiety out of administering medicine to children three months and older. Ava says, “One, Two, Three…Open wide! Good Job!”

5. SwimZip

We’re all supposed to wear sunscreen, even the kids. Remembering to apply and reapply sunscreen doesn’t always happen and a power struggle can ensue while a child squiggles to get away as you apply it.

Helpful Product: SwimZip is stylish UV 50+ swimwear for babies, toddlers, and children. It’s uniquely designed for an easy-on, easy-off UV protection through the use of a full-length zipper down the front. SwimZip blocks 99% of the harmful cancer causing rays, too. 

6. The Human Body Detectives

We all know that getting your child to sleep and eat can easily create a power struggle, enough said!

Helpful Product: The Human Body Detectives is a series of books highlighting a girl’s adventure through the different body systems so she is more apt to make healthy food choices.

All of these products are made by moms who face the same struggles you do. They empower kids and help parents reduce reactions and power struggles when they have to do something in order to keep their child safe and healthy. Just thought you’d want to know!

Sharon Silver is a parent educator whose advice is basic, real and direct, just like a child. Her site, ProactiveParenting.net shares ways to reduce both a parent and a child’s reactions. She’s a mom, author of Stop Reacting and Start Responding, and a monthly expert contributor on TV’s Sac & Co. Find Sharon on Twitter and Facebook.

Image Source: Christine Szeto via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

The following information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

Should your daughter get the HPV vaccination?

In recent years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has licensed two vaccines to protect against certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause cervical cancer: Cervarix, for females 10-25 years old, and Gardasil, for females aged 11-26. (Gardasil is also recommended for males aged 9-26 to protect against some types of genital warts.)

At the same time, an increase in prescription drug ads that disclose the side effects of vaccines have left parents like Circle of Moms member Sarah K. confused about whether their daughters should be immunized: “Recently I have seen an alarming amount of commercials for the HPV vaccination ... Would you give it to your daughters? Is this any different than passing out condoms at school? Is it preventive? Is it giving your daughters permission to have sex?”

To help shed light on the conversation about the HPV vaccine, here's the low-down on three key issues moms are working through in our communities, including what the vaccine actually prevents and the potential risks. 

How Much Protection Does it Provide?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year about 11,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and almost 4,000 die from the disease. Most cases of cervical cancer and all cases of genital warts are caused by HPV — the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. 

“Current statistics on HPV indicate that at least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire a genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have been infected with genital HPV infection. Those are HUGE percentages,” says a Circle of Moms member named Charlie P. 

Because the HPV vaccines protect against 70 percent of cervical cancers, Tracey W. feels that giving it to her daughter is a no-brainer: “If there is something that can protect your daughter from [cervical cancer], you should do it.” 

But not all moms agree with Tracy. Despite the value of protection against most cervical cancers, Rebekah S. and Shelly N. are opting not to submit their daughters to the vaccine’s three-shot series because they are not sure there is enough benefit. Even if their daughters are immunized, they contend, the vaccine does not prevent against all strains of the HPV virus: “If it would protect against all forms of cervical cancer and not just the one transmitted via sexual contact, then that would be a different story,” says Shelley.

The CDC notes that Cervarix protects females against HPV types 16 and 18, while Gardasil protects females against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.

Does It Encourage Early, Unprotected Sex?

Another reason some moms have misgivings about the HPV vaccination is because it prevents viruses that are only contracted through sex, leading them to wonder whether giving their daughters this kind of protection will communicate a false impression that they are protected from all sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or that they are being given the green light to have sex. Shelly and Angie B. both fall into this camp, describing giving their daughters the vaccine as a message that it's "a shot for when you have sex."

In answer to these concerns, a mom named Michelle recommends considering whether your daughter is currently having or is likely to have sex and therefore at risk for contracting HPV. And Charlie P. points out that a person “can be responsible and practice safe sex, and the chances of getting it are still high,” even with condoms, which do not always prevent transmission of HPV.

Offering a case in point, a mom who goes by "JLR" shares that she is "living proof" that the virus can be transmitted even in a long-term monogamous relationship. She ended up infected with HPV even though both she and her husband had very few sexual partners before meeting one another. She goes on to explain that many people do not know they are carrying HPV because they may not test positive for it even years into a relationship: “They may only show mild symptoms that, because of negative testing for years, could be presumed to be something else by doctors … Don’t assume that because someone has HPV that they are sexually irresponsible. Condoms are not 100 percent [effective]; you will not necessarily have symptoms, and you will not necessarily test positive within a couple years after exposure.”

Are the Vaccines Safe?

Several Circle of Moms members question whether it's wise to give their daughters a vaccination that's relatively new. They worry that there’s not enough information about all of the side effects, including the possibility of prolonged reactions.

Deanna P. and Juli both recount adverse reactions to the vaccine. After receiving the first shot, Deanna's daughter had a “full-blown asthma attack,” which ended with a two-night stay in the hospital. “My daughter was a healthy 11-year-old with seasonal asthma … now she's dealing with health issues every day because of her reaction to Gardasil.” Juli, a mom who believes the vaccine is generally "a good thing," says each mom should “carefully weigh the odds” for her own child. Her 17-year-old daughter suffered an allergic reaction 28 hours after the shot and broke out in hives all over her body. 

According to CDC literature, both vaccines were studied in thousands of people around the world and there were no serious safety concerns. More than 46 million doses of HPV vaccine have been distributed in the United States as of June 2012. Side effects reported in studies were mild, and include pain where the shot was given, fever, dizziness, and nausea. The FDA has licensed the vaccines and the CDC has approved them as safe and effective. Both agencies continue to monitor the vaccines' safety.

“The risks associated with the HPV vaccine are very small. The post-licensure study that was recently completed confirmed this,” relays a Circle of Moms member named Jenifer. “The risks are like [with] any other vaccine: [a] chance of having a fever or soreness. There is a very small increased chance of blood clots or fainting (~1 in 100,000 doses).”

Dorothy S. agrees that the risks are minimal compared with the benefits: “I have four girls and this HPV immunization was, of course, of great importance for me to find out more about. As with any new immunization, there are always risks. But when you look at the overall good that it does, I definitely would take that chance.”

The bottom line, Circle of Moms member Sandi T. emphasizes, is that parents should educate themselves on the specifics of the HPV vaccine and discuss the risks and benefits with their doctors. “Obviously this is a very controversial subject, as all vaccinations have been,” she notes. “My suggestion would be to research this very thoroughly; it is important though that you make sure you are getting your information from a reliable source, [as] not every website on the Internet has correct information … You need to weigh all the facts.”

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

Image Source: Sanofi Pasteur via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

The following information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

Despite many studies debunking the myth of a link between the MMR vaccine and the onset of autism, many Circle of Moms members say that deciding what to do is hard because of all the conflicting information and opinions about vaccines that parents are exposed to. "When it comes down to it, neither side...has all the answers," says Jolene R., who has chosen not to vaccinate her child even though, as she says, "I understand why other people do." Even the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) admits that while "A great deal of information about vaccinations is available to parents...information is sometimes published that is inaccurate or can be misleading when taken out of context."

Alternative Schedules

90% of parents follow the recommended vaccination schedules for young children, but among the 10% who don't are those who say they are reacting to confusing information by opting for alternative schedules. These alternative schedules vary: some parents get all the recommended shots but start a little later or proceed on a slower schedule, while others refuse vaccines altogether.

Concerned by how these choices are impacting public health, researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor recently warned that as more parents refuse vaccines, the risk that a child will catch a disease like measles or whooping cough at school or in their community is rising.

But Circle of Moms members who follow alternative vaccination schedules insist they have valid reasons for doing so.  While few of these moms cite the specific concern that a vaccine will lead to autism, a fear that was more widespread a few years ago, many are worried about other possible side effects, and whether they are significant or lasting. These fears surface in many communities on Circle of Moms. As Taylor O. relays in just one of these threads, what is a mom to make of it when her baby reacts to her 2-month shots with a fever of 104, vomiting, and a level of misery that makes her "not herself"?

Moms Who Delay, Slow Down, or Pick & Choose

Armed with stories like Taylor's, some moms choose to delay vaccinations until after their children turn one. "I am not a fan of vaccines for babies," says Laura M. "Babies do not have an established immune system and for us to bombard them with toxins before their immune system has had a chance to get established is dangerous. Just my opinion of course." (The Centers for Disease Control disagrees, stating that "Studies show that kid's bodies—even infants—can handle many shots at once. Having several vaccines at once is safe, even for a newborn.")

Other Circle of Moms are getting their kids all of the recommended vaccinations but at a slower-than-recommended pace. As Michelle H. explains, "My daughter didn't get any vaccines until she was 3 months old. Then I only wanted her to have two at a time (not the five or six that they usually give). I had to do a lot of research to figure out which two would be the most beneficial, without the all the terrible possible side effects. She was up to date on all her vaccines, except Hepatitis B, by the time she turned two. I did have to sign a waiver at the doctor's office saying that it would not be their fault if she died from one of the vaccines I hadn't given her. I believe that being informed and pro-active in vaccinating your child is more important than following the government's plan on shots."

Still other Circle of Moms members follow the recommended schedule with the exception of the H1N1 flu vaccine. Heather S., a mom of two boys, "won't get them H1N1 because a lot of people aren't sure about it." Circle of Moms member Anne is also on the fence about H1N1: "A doctor I trust a lot tells me the vaccine is safe and recommended the shot, but was not really pushy and was okay with us skipping it for now." And Danielle B. wonders, given mixed reviews about the vaccine's success at averting flu, whether "it is safer to vaccinate my children or to ride the season out."

 Talking to Your Doctor

No matter what schedule you follow, many say the decisions are tough because of mixed opinions and confusing information that continue to abound. Ultimately though, despite their hesitancy or concerns, Circle of Moms members like Shanna B. say they feel safest following their pediatrician's recommendations. "I debated over this also but finally decided to get my kids vaccinated," she says. "I kept hearing about kids dying and I know you can't save them from everything, but I thought something so simple that could save them seemed worth it."

For answers to questions about vaccines, visit the CDC's FAQ for parents who question vaccines, where they detail the side effects of each vaccine and provide a guide to evaluating online information about vaccines.

Do you follow the recommended vaccine schedule? Why or why not?

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

Image Source: mynameissharsha via Flickr / Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

It can seem — especially to your budget — that doggies require endless vaccinations. Still do you know what they're being safeguarded against? Take these quizzes about six diseases that pups commonly get protected for to see if you're a shot-calling expert.

Quiz: Parvovirus	Quiz: Hepatitis	Quiz: Distemper
Quiz: Rabies	Quiz: H3N8	Quiz: Coronavirus

While February is the month when most people get the flu, hopefully you've already gotten your annual flu shot. But what about the rest of the lesser-known recommended vaccines for adults?

Recently I was surprised when during a routine appointment my doctor told me that because of a recent whooping cough outbreak I should get a Tdap shot, which also contains the booster doses for tetanus and diphtheria. I never think about nonflu vaccines very much, so I probably wouldn't have known that people my age needed one if she hadn't said anything.

I'm sure many of you are the same. In fact, adult vaccinations are so much lower than they should be that a recent CDC study found that most clinics don't even stock all the required vaccines for adults. But, actually, the CDC recommends that we get certain vaccinations long after we turn 18.

Want to know which vaccines you may need to get? Read on to see if you're up to date on your shots.