DD won't get the flu shot (Ugh)

[Anonymous]

Not getting flu shot b/c you haven't ever had the flu makes as much sense as driving in the beltway without a seatbelt b/c you've never had an accident (or b/c you had a fender bender once and survived w/a minor injury). Not smart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She can talk to my friend. He arrogantly refused to get the shot and has now been flat on his back for almost two weeks. It's a bad flu this year.

Had shot. Got sick two days after...also got the flu two months later.

[Anonymous]

I'm 26 and have never had a flu shot. I got the flu last year, was miserable for a few days, and got better. I still won't get the shot.

This year, my BF was required to get it for work. He got the flu and spent Christmas in bed. He's 34 and had never had a flu shot before.

I'm on your daughters side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 26 and have never had a flu shot. I got the flu last year, was miserable for a few days, and got better. I still won't get the shot.

This year, my BF was required to get it for work. He got the flu and spent Christmas in bed. He's 34 and had never had a flu shot before.

I'm on your daughters side.

Cheer up, OP! Somebody who thinks that the flu shot gives people the flu agrees with your daughter! Which shows that your daughter is making a rational, well-researched decision!

No, wait...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 26 and have never had a flu shot. I got the flu last year, was miserable for a few days, and got better. I still won't get the shot.

This year, my BF was required to get it for work. He got the flu and spent Christmas in bed. He's 34 and had never had a flu shot before.

I'm on your daughters side.

Cheer up, OP! Somebody who thinks that the flu shot gives people the flu agrees with your daughter! Which shows that your daughter is making a rational, well-researched decision!

No, wait...

Ha! What is scary is that soooo many people think like this.

[Anonymous]

Wait -- your daughter has a chronic illness? What kind?

That almost immediately makes her more susceptible.

I always get a flu shot, but wasn't able to get an H1N1 shot in 2009 (age 38) and was sicker than I have ever been. I was out of work for 3 weeks -- fever took 15 days to break. I lost 15 pounds and don't remember much at all. I got bronchitis afterwards for a week. I have asthma, but it's always been under control (3 outpatient ER visits in 36 years) and I kept getting shut out of the shot. My healthy husband, after seeing me go through that, always gets a flu shot (and he's a big baby about needles in general.)

[Anonymous]

I seriously can't believe some of the responses here. wtf. Differing opinions based on facts presented. That happens. Some people think for themselves and make decisions based on those thoughts. Some of you should try that sometime (and God help your children).

I'm almost 36 years old, I've never had a flu shot, and I've never had the flu.

[Anonymous]

Jesus Christ, people. Calm down.

OP, your daughter is practicing setting boundaries and making her own decisions apart from you -- the easiest way to do this (for her) is to oppose whatever you propose. THIS IS A GOOD THING. Yes, she will make some mistakes, and she will learn from them. But what you need to teach her now is how to begin to relate to you as an adult daughter, and not a minor (yes, I know she's 17, but it's better to get started now, so she has some grounding before she goes to college). You asked her to consider your perspective, and research the issue. She did. That's fantastic! Now, you teach her what happens when an adult parent disagrees with their adult child: "You've heard my side, and I appreciate that. I disagree with your decision, but it's your right to make it."

Obviously, you won't do this with every decision she makes starting now, but begin to loosen the reins. This is an excellent opportunity to let her get her footing - you have medical support from her pediatrician that her decision, while not yours, is valid, there are no at-risk populations in your home, etc. Let her have this. Teach her how to disagree with maturity.