Today I took my son to get circumcised - a rite all Muslim males experience for the most part. I was nervous leaving him behind in a room with the doctor, knowing he was going to be cut open and screaming but they have a policy of not letting the parents in during the procedure. I can understand why, but at the same time it makes you feel shit as a mother not being next to your child when they need you the most. Walking out of that room, kissing him on the head as he smiled at me with those pretty blue eyes and knowing what was coming next was the worst feeling. I felt like I was abandoning him.
Getting him home and having to unsuccessfully comfort him while he screamed and screamed every time he moved his little legs was beyond horrible. At one point I started crying because I didn't know what to do for him. I felt utterly useless and began questioning the whole point of having it done. Yes, it is a religious tradition but does it have to be such a painful one? Even now the guilt hasn't left me.
The pain the poor little babies have to go through... it's such a cruel thing to do to such an innocent child. A little more research into the matter thanks to a little late night iPhone Wikipedia reading brought to me the fact that a lot of people get it done when their children are older. Older as in ten years old. I was pretty stunned at that. It's bad enough for an infant to go through, but a grown child? Ouch. I've even heard of adults getting it done. Bit late in the game, but whatevs.
Ancient Egypt was one such place where adult circumcision was the norm. As was letting your arms grow to six feet long.
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On a side note; I love the guys on the left. Just exactly how restraining do you think that hold is?
The real worry for me is waiting for this painful ordeal to be over for him. I'm told in a week's time he should be back to normal, but a week is a long time for such a little person to handle. I'm just praying the healing is quick and uneventful, insha'Allah.
I keep stressing and worrying that the wound is going to split open; that it is going to get infected and fall off. A tad dramatic, I know, but this is the first time any of my children have been in pain like this and it is (naturally) not sitting very well with me.
If you have sons, would you mind sharing your experiences with me about this? How long did it take to heal? Were there any hiccups? Did you feel incredibly guilty about it like I do now? Can you never cut a cucumber again?