Tactful swaying?

[Italiamom]

I was just hoping that maybe y'all had some ideas on tactfully bringing up circumcision with future parents. Basically, I hate it when people tell me how to parent my child. People have opinions on CIO, vaccinations, homebirth, and breastfeeding. And while I feel strongly about these topics, I try to not bring them up with my not so crunchy friends because I most strongly feel that everyone has to choose what's best for their family.

That said, I want to say something to some friends who are planning to circumcise. Her sisters' boys are all circ'd, and daddy is circ'd. I know that while the mama and I care a great deal about eachother, she thinks my birth/parenting choices are strange. But just like I love her, I love her kids too. She has two beautiful girls, who are amazing. She's a really, really good mom. But the thought of her doing this to her new son has my heart in a knot.

Is there a good way to bring this up that isn't confrontational and "you should do this..."? I don't want her to tell me how to raise my son either, but the thought of her newborn being in pain just breaks my heart.

Really, any ideas would be awesome.

[PuppyFluffer]

Does she read the internet?
The "regret" thread here contains some very powerful words. Maybe hearing of the regret that other parents have after learning the truth of circumcision too late to save their boys will prompt her to seek knowledge of the procedure and it's effects.

The link to the thread is here: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=112410

[Dev]

If you're "friends" then you should have nothing to worry about. True friends speak their mind with each other. Tell her all what you know and feel about circumcising little boys and all the reasons why it is harmful and unnecessary. Bringing up circ. to non-friends like some co-workers or neighbors is when tact is useful especially if someone has the cultural mindset of needing to circumcise ALL boys so they can be normal ! Just have a heart to heart talk with your friend. Could you imagine if she circs. without you saying anything until After the fact and she wished you had said something. There are a lot of moms out there who wish they had a good friend like you ! Best of Luck.