Jane

Damn! It is happened again! My 2 year son, allergic to all diary products, and I went out to a family party and I spent all the time saying, pollitely, to others "beware, don't offer dairy food to my son, please...". They know he is allergic, I told them again and again... why my little boy, of just 2 years, shoud be wiser that adults, refusing appetizing food offered to him??? just for something he really doesn't understand yet??? help! what should I do?

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Courtney Kloehs

I sympathize with you. My daughter has a milk and egg allergy and we've been trying to 'educate' our family for when she starts table food. My mother in law is infamous for giving the kids 'treats' even when i ask her not too. When i tried to have a talk with her about my daughter's allergies she brushed it off and said 'kids survive these allergies all the time and not to worry'. I'm not quite in your boat yet, but i know when the time comes i'll have to be on top of everything that goes into her mouth and teach her to refuse food she's unsure of. Best of luck!

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Rose

I am with you. It is incredibly unfair to have so many good foods even at family gatherings that are unsafe for our children. My 2 1/2 yr. old daughter is severely allergic to milk and mildly to tree nuts,, and my 18 mo. son is allergic to peanuts and eggs. My mom still doesn't understand and remember to use separate knives in peanut butter jars, almond butter jars, jelly jars, "special margarine" and regular margarine tubs. Nor does she understand the need to wash her hands after touching "forbidden foods" and her lips before she kisses my daughter. It is really frustrating to have to pack all our own food everywhere, and then when we arrive still have to explain, re-explain and be on alert 110% of the time. I am really tempted to loose my cool sometimes, but then I remember that I am setting an example for how my children will deal with their allergies on their own as they grow older. If I get frustrated and give up, not only do we have more ER trips, but they won't learn to be diligent themselves. If I badger other people every time they make a mistake that could kill my children, my children will learn to irritate others and be tactless when teaching (and re-teaching) those they come into contact with. Yet if I show patience, diligence and perseverance, my children will learn the same. I have at most 20 years with them, but they may have to live with this their entire lives. I must keep at it for their sake. I know you can too. Just keep at it - one day at a time.

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Linda Williams

when my son was younger, in elementary school, the school didn't have the 'no peanut' policy yet, nor did they have the awareness we're seeing now. until the child is older it is very frustrating for those of us with children of young age with allergies. my son is in his teens now & it sure is a lot easier for us.
Linda. Allergy Control Products. [url=http://www.allergycontrol.com/]air purifier[/url]

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Tonya Sturgis

My 4 year old is severly allergic to milk and she often is wiser than family members on what she can and can not have. Unless you deal with it on a daily basis it is difficult to understand what foods must be avoided (like whey, lactate, casien etc). I found most of my family and friends thought when I said my daughter was allergic to milk that she was lactose intolerant. Although it can get old I still try to educate every person that could potential feed my child that her reaction to milk could be serious (vomiting, difficulty breathing, etc) and why they need to check with me before they feed her anything and even the children in our extended family and at her daycare know she can't have other peoples food without asking her parents or teacher. So EDUCATE....EDUCATE...and EDUCATE and I agree take one day at a time. [:)]

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jaredsmom

As far as re-explaining to family, especially mothers, I am no help. All I hear from my mom is "I'm doing the best I can!" after every incident. Total drama. However, I did see a cool little sticker online that reads "I please do not feed me before speaking with my parent. 'm allergic to Peanuts/Milk/Eggs. " It might help until the child is old enough to know what they can and cant eat.

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