what brought me here

I was only going to post once today. That was untill i read It's not your circum-decision today after seeing the post from Saving Our Sons on facebook. I wanted to share my feelings and thoughts and what brought me to my decision on not mutilating my sons genitals. I loved everything the author said on her post. I dont see how any parent can say its "their choice" to make for their children when its not their body. Circumcision is the only cosmetic surgery allowed to be performed on children without a medical necessity. I chose to keep my son intact, i believe it is his body to make that choice, when he is of legal consenting age. I remember when my mother had my brother, she didnt want to circumcised him. I was only 12 then. His father wanted it done (from what she told me anyways). She went ahead and sign the consent form. I remember in the days following his bloody diapers and scabs and crying almost every time he peed in his diaper and all the ointment she would have to put on him. Even then it broke my heart to see my newborn brother in pain. I truly believe this is what opened my eyes. When i got pregnant with Kari i was so thankful that she was a girl for this specific reason. Her father had alot of control over me then (thats another story) and I know now i prolly would have given in to his wishes to have it done had she been a boy. We had fought over it several times during my pregnancy prior to finding out her gender. I am so thankful for my husband now. B did want to have Tzariel circumcised. I never really had to fight him on it though. We did decide on the compromise of when he is old enough if he wants it done we will pay for it. I thought that was a good compromise. The only reason my husband wanted it done to my son was is that he isnt and he experiences phimosis, which is common is about 1-2% of men who are left intact, but can be treated without circumcision (we only recently found this out) and i have encouraged him to see a doctor about it if he isnt happy currently.I just knew i didnt want my son to go thru all that pain and then i watched a video on youtube of a circumcision. I cried so bad. It was horrible. So that made me start my research. I found out the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) doesnt even recommend it be done and that there is no medical reason for it to be done, and that your son could possible even DIE from the procedure (that was a big shock for me). This only affirmed me not wanting to have it done and Im so thankful i didnt. some people say its "cleaner" i sure dont see how. ive never had to apply any kid of medicine to my sons penis, i just clean it off just like you would his finger. Theres no reason for you to try and retract the foreskin it will do it on its own in time. I just hope others out there do the research and stand up for their sons. I know now I have to stand firm in my belief in keeping our children whole and we all as parents need to be responsible and stand up for all children. Boy or girl there is no reason for genital mutilation. Please parents consider what you are doing. There is so much more that I could go on about. I really recommend going to Peaceful Parenting there is so much on this site about circumcision and how its not necessary, and the function of foreskin (and yes it is there for many reasons it there) because really there is no decision to be made simply because its not yours to make.

my intact son Tzariel