Can we Raise Children without “Professionals” Today?

This may seem like a strange question. The events of last week made me come to some conclusions and ask myself this question. Here is a little about me and the events of last week….

First off, I was raised by a father who was a very independent thinker and taught/showed this to me as well. I learned to think outside the box and how to make informed decisions. Over the years in raising children I made choices that were not the norm. I homebirthed most of my children (and delivered 2 of my grandchildren at home), I homeschooled, I don’t vaccinate my children and lastly I don’t/have not done well-baby or well-child checks. I did not make these decisions lightly. I read for knowledge, I studied each of these decision in depth, prayed (obviously it should go without saying this was in conjunction with my husband) and made the decision as a knowledgeable, loving, caring parent. I do not expect anyone to agree or disagree with my choices as they are just that.. my choices as a parent.

As to my latest events, part of the requirement for Sierra to enter the medical field (she will be going to school to be a dental assistant) are 4 vaccines. We discussed this before she enrolled in the school and felt fine with the decision. I feel her body is much more able to handle them at 18 then as a baby. Imagine my surprise when I called the doctor’s office and was told first she would have to have a well-child check. At 18? What? I’m pretty sure in this country an 18 year old is considered an adult. An 18 year old can join the military and fight and die for our country, they can vote, they are responsible for their own actions and debt. But first has to have a “well-child” check before an immunization? And how about the fact that a 14 year old girl could go and get an abortion in this country without a “well-child” check. In the end we went to a walk in immediate care clinic and they had no problem with our request.

When in the clinic the PA (Physician’s Assistant) was a bit surprised she had not been immunized. She asked me, “Has she had care?” I assumed she meant medical care. I told her I took Sierra to the doctors when she needed to go. She has been very healthy. She has been to the doctor twice. Once at age 5 for a tick bite that was not healing as I thought it should and once at 14 to talk with the doctor about allergy issues. I’m very thankful for doctors, I am not anti-doctor or hospital or any such thing. I believe they have their place in life, for the sick, not the well.

This got me to my current thinking and the questions posed for this blog, “Can we Raise Children without “Professionals” Today?”. As a parent who has been out of the main stream for many years I realized that today things are very different than in the past. It begins with us needing a professional to deliver our babies, and then we need professionals to keep tabs on them as babies, as children, as teens and apparently even as young adults.

I took this thinking one step further; we then need professionals to teach our children. We put them in school (I’m generalizing on society, obviously), we need councilors to talk to them, we need government funded dieticians to tell us what they need to eat, and so on. Goodness, someone as simple minded as a parent cannot be considered capable of raising them and there must be professionals for every step and walk of life. Sadly, I do believe this is where our society may be at this point.

God gave me these children. I’ve prayed for wisdom and knowledge and I’ve read and researched many hours and made choices for my children based on all of this. Part of wisdom and knowledge is knowing, as a parent, when I need a professional and when I don’t. But that should be MY choice, not the societal norms. Not the government laid out programs and schedules. As you may be able to tell I’m not an “it takes a village” type person. It takes parents who pray for wisdom and knowledge, read and research, ask questions, study an issue, and know that they are capable of making informed decisions on their own. 

What I pass on to my own children? You are responsible for your children; you are empowered to make the choices for them. Pray, read, research…