Dispatches from the Doctors]
From K: Oliver had no idea what was coming, despite my attempts to explain a flu shot to him. He sat still for about one second, then tried to escape from the nurse, and the needle ended up scratching his arm. He was bawling and bawling and bawling as if somebody had cut his arm off. Even a Wall-E sticker wouldn’t console him (crybaby!). About the time I got him settled down, I had to get stuck, which hurt. Then Stella got shot and let out a nasty grumpy yowl, and in a complete rage started beating on the nurse’s head with a Lego. Then we went out and when the receptionist lady tried to be nice to Stella (who was sitting in my arms with a vicious scowl on her face), Stella threw the whole Lego at her.
Comments
I agree with stefan. Did you consult the kids on wether or not they felt they needed to get the flu shot? Stella should have thrown the lego at you!
I don't think one can be accused of being paternalistic--in the pejorative sense--when one is, in fact, a pater.
Being a father and acting like one are two different things. Indeed, it was Kim who took them for the shot, so Stefan's diatribe is properly understood as accusing mater of acting like a pater. In Stefanland, gender roles are clearly defined, and it is the task of the man to force vaccinations on his children. The task of women is to admire his photographs of them.
Isn't that a bit paternalistic to force your kids to get a flu shot? Imagine if the state forced you to get a flu shot. I say individuals are better than the state at making such decisions, and Stella and OSR better than their parents.
Kid power! No to unwanted flu shots!