[littleoyster]

Hi,

Dealing with some intense family drama around the Covid vaccines. The majority of my family has been vaccinated with no issues. But 3 family members have become extremely anti vaxx / into conspiracy theories. I've gone down those rabbit holes years ago for fun, but it's not fun to me anymore. I feel it's dangerous. These family members have small kids and believe they are risking their lives if they get the vaccine. They believe in medical freedom and don't want the government telling them what to do. I try to tell them it's their choice, they aren't mandatory (yet) so just don't get it - but they freak out and say I'm supporting the devil and in the future I'll be sorry when all our rights are taken away or I get really sick because I got "the jab".

We aren't really speaking now and it sucks because I'm close to their kids. I know a lot of people are dealing with this same dynamic. It sucks. I have a lot of compassion for families that have experienced vaccine injuries but I also have a lot of compassion for people who have died from Covid or are dealing with long Covid (I know several). It's just so hard and I get so mad and sad and feel like we're going to grow farther and farther apart. They feel we have betrayed them and I wish they would stop spreading lies. Some things they share have truth to them. But most are flat out proven lies. Any advice (from either side of this issue) is welcome!

[lizardlady]

Is it possible for you to interact with these family members, but not discuss vaccines?

Originally Posted by lizardlady

Is it possible for you to interact with these family members, but not discuss vaccines?

I very much agree with this. I always feel that it's best not to bring up sensitive issues with family or anyone else close to you. It's OK to state your opinion and I personally understand how you feel. But it's best to just bring it up once and then agree to disagree if you're getting nowhere. If you care a lot about your family, I think it's tragic to lose them just because of an argument like the vaccine issue.

[BigBubba]

Originally Posted by littleoyster

Hi,

Dealing with some intense family drama around the Covid vaccines. The majority of my family has been vaccinated with no issues. But 3 family members have become extremely anti vaxx / into conspiracy theories. I've gone down those rabbit holes years ago for fun, but it's not fun to me anymore. I feel it's dangerous. These family members have small kids and believe they are risking their lives if they get the vaccine. They believe in medical freedom and don't want the government telling them what to do. I try to tell them it's their choice, they aren't mandatory (yet) so just don't get it - but they freak out and say I'm supporting the devil and in the future I'll be sorry when all our rights are taken away or I get really sick because I got "the jab".

We aren't really speaking now and it sucks because I'm close to their kids. I know a lot of people are dealing with this same dynamic. It sucks. I have a lot of compassion for families that have experienced vaccine injuries but I also have a lot of compassion for people who have died from Covid or are dealing with long Covid (I know several). It's just so hard and I get so mad and sad and feel like we're going to grow farther and farther apart. They feel we have betrayed them and I wish they would stop spreading lies. Some things they share have truth to them. But most are flat out proven lies. Any advice (from either side of this issue) is welcome!

Keep insane people away from you and your loved ones.

[eskielover]

I agree with Lizardlady. You know where each of you stand, no need to discuss it farther.

I don't have family but I have friends who think differently than I do & many more who think like I do. I discuss the issues with those who think the way I do no arguments. I will discuss with the others but we always have to agree to disagree & leave it at that. It is no ones business to try hard to change someone else's opinion so leave it well enough alone & if they want to push their opinion on you....just change the subject or say no point in discussing it

[TishaBuv]

I agree. You made your point, they made theirs. You can’t change anyone’s thinking. It’s sad to stand by and watch if someone gets sick. I hope you can remain close family while agreeing to disagree and don’t bring it up again.

P.s. I had to watch my father smoke himself to death when everyone kept saying the cigarettes would kill him.

[eskielover]

Originally Posted by TishaBuv

I agree. You made your point, they made theirs. You can’t change anyone’s thinking. It’s sad to stand by and watch if someone gets sick. I hope you can remain close family while agreeing to disagree and don’t bring it up again.

P.s. I had to watch my father smoke himself to death when everyone kept saying the cigarettes would kill him.

It's called "free will" or "freedom of choice". In making our choices we are also choosing our consequences.

My mom chose to ignore her symptoms of cancer until it was stage 4 then expected her oncologist to save her life. Doesn't work that way. Every choice has its consequences, good, bad, or otherwise....that is what life is all about.

[littleoyster]

Originally Posted by will19

I very much agree with this. I always feel that it's best not to bring up sensitive issues with family or anyone else close to you. It's OK to state your opinion and I personally understand how you feel. But it's best to just bring it up once and then agree to disagree if you're getting nowhere. If you care a lot about your family, I think it's tragic to lose them just because of an argument like the vaccine issue.

What if they are the ones constantly bringing it up? I guess I need to just put my foot down and say it’s an off limit topic.

[littleoyster]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

Is it possible for you to interact with these family members, but not discuss vaccines?

They are the ones who constantly bring it up - it's the thing they want to talk about constantly. I guess I need to make it clear that topic is off the table when we're together. I'm so bad with confrontation. But will be easier than debating this topic constantly.

[littleoyster]

Thank you for this.

Originally Posted by littleoyster

What if they are the ones constantly bringing it up? I guess I need to just put my foot down and say it’s an off limit topic.

I didn't know that they were the ones to bring it up. I'm sorry that I didn't realize it.

Then my suggestion should have been different. I've had times when people bring things up that I didn't agree with. If I don't say anything, then they'll know that I don't agree with them. For me, I would just state my opinion and if it leads to a lot of arguing, then I would say that I don't want to discuss it anymore or just change the subject.