If I wasn’t blogging right now, I’d be reading a book or reading a book to my kids. That’s who I am – a learner, a seeker of ideas who craves to know more, and always wanting to understand things better. I like sharing what I learn. I like talking about concepts and trying to understand how they relate to or impact my world.

I’m Melanie and I am your Colorado Mom2Mom.

I’m a Gen X-er who grew up as the second of five children. I was heavily influenced by my parent’s Midwestern values. I went to a state school for my undergraduate degree in liberal arts. After that, I traveled and lived abroad for three years before returning to complete a Master’s degree in Public Health Administration. On my 20 year high school reunion blog page it says “I’m a full-time mom, part-time employee, and impassioned advocate for children’s health” (specifically vaccines). That is what this blog is about: vaccines, immunizations, shots, inoculations…okay, well you get the idea…

What qualifies me to write a blog about vaccines? First off, and most importantly, I’m a mom of two beautiful, healthy, fully vaccinated girls aged 3 and 6. Being a mom and listening to my gut intuition is something I do every day. In addition to that, I work in public health promoting immunization best practices to parents and providers. This work feeds my passion for research, study and my never ending quest for knowledge.

In my work in children’s health care, I know healthy kids and I know sick kids. For sure there are health factors that are out of our control, but there are many decisions parents make daily that can affect and ensure good health.

Vaccines are one of those good health decisions that we can control. There are a lot of sources of information about vaccines. The internet is bursting with seemingly authoritative, yet contradictory information about vaccines. What I’ve seen and read in the last few years about vaccines concerns me and, in some cases, makes me angry. It raises my blood pressure and makes me think, “I have to be in this discussion.” I NEED to be a part of the conversation. Bad information about vaccines can be misleading, confusing and harmful. I need to share my beliefs on vaccines, so I am.

Vaccines are arguably the greatest public health invention of the 20th century, yet ironically they have become one of the most controversial issues of the 21st century. Some parents are abandoning scientific fact and reason for personal persuasion and opinion. This scares me, but it also makes me want to speak up.

I want to talk about the hot topics that all parents wonder about such as vaccines and autism, ingredients used in vaccines, the need to vaccinate and whether infants are getting too many too soon. But more than that, I’d like to hear what you think. I want to participate in a discussion with you.

I hope you spend time with me on my blog, watch my videos and start a discussion with me. I want to read your comments, opinions or questions about vaccines. I’m a mom, and after many mommy gut-checks, research, asking questions and having discussions with my doctor – I choose to vaccinate my kids. This was my process. I would like to learn what yours is.

What are you thinking, feeling, fearing or debating about vaccines? Please comment below.