If you're not vaccinating, what do you tell people?

[Catherine]

I know how you feel. Tomorrow, if it comes up in a direct question: something along the lines of "for our situation, it is the best choice for us"/ If they probe further, add some details that you feel are appropriate. For example, if it comes up that you are putting their children at risk, use the words Kelly suggested - the research backs up this. I would keep my answers to a minimal response and only anwser direct questions. I would not try to educate them (IYKWIM) as that would come across as justifying yourself (which you don't have to do) and possibly even offensive (as you pointed out).

In my own experience, with my relos (our parents and siblings), when asked why we were not vaccinating: I answered matter-factly with :"I breastfeed, which provides immunological protection. They do not attend childcare, so are not in a high-risk of exposure. If they are sick (ie on the very rare occasion that they have a sniffle), we stay home. We practise good hygiene and and inturn teach they to do the same. We eat well (most of the time)." They accepted this. Over Xmas last year, our vaccinated cousin tested positive for whooping cough, their household was put on precautionary antibiotics, the course finished on xmas day. So despite our planned xmas, we delayed it til boxing day - they accepted this (even though they were annoyed), but I said that vaxed or not, we would have stayed away, as vaxed can still carry it (evidence = cousin) and we would be visiting newborns after xmas.

Good luck tomorrow...remember Confidence. You know you have made the right decision for you.