As you raise your children you’ve probably heard or will hear the saying “ages and stages.” I think of this saying as our children have grown and continued to have additional responsibilities for their food allergy safety over the years. If you have a young child, making sure everyone is aware of their food allergies can be emotionally exhausting. Rest assured that as you educate others you are also educating your child, and in time they will assume more responsibility for their food allergy in each stage.
I was told by a school superintendent that managing a “hidden disability” like a food allergy can be more challenging than a disability that people are more visibly aware of. This certainly did resonate with me and often rang true. It is hard to believe that even the slightest contact with a common food allergen could cause death. I probably would have had a hard time believing it if I hadn’t experienced it for myself. I was fortunate to have that warning, and it put my throttle into high gear. After spending years educating daycare providers, school nurses, staff, and administrators as well as communities of parents, coaches, and friends on food allergy safety, I started this page to share some tips & tricks we’ve found helpful along the way. Take a look at some of our favorite food allergy aids. I certainly never thought I’d see myself as a baker, but welcome to my new world of safe baked goods with no chance of cross-contamination. Epi-Pens will be your new friend. Having them accessible everywhere your child goes is important. Most allergic reactions are accidental, so you must be prepared. You may want to invest in an Epi-Pen carrying case. I recommend a carrying case that has room for two Epi-Pens. During the heat of the moment, if someone is nervous there is a chance the Epi-Pen could misfire. Also, as in the case of Ryan, he had a biphasic reaction, which means his symptoms rapidly appeared again once they subsided. Sometimes it feels easier and safer to enjoy home-cooked meals rather than worrying about cross-contamination in the kitchen or other possible safety hazards. I collected food allergy cookbooks and list a few of my favorites here.