I'm about ready to move on to a new topic -- but here are a few last things I've learned.
1. Make your own cookbook -- when you find something that works type it up and stick it in your book. It makes looking for recipes at dinnertime less complicated.
2. When you start to get frustrated again remember that there are resources that you might not know about yet and start looking. Sometimes help is a google search away.
3. I read somewhere that it is better to treat an allergy matter of factly. Don't treat your child like they are picked on and they are less likely to think that they are.
4. Finally, be willing to ask questions -- so here is one for you:
Dan one day will go to school, he will have birthday parties to attend and ball games with treats. At some point, no matter how matter of factly I treat his allergy, he is bound to feel a bit picked on because he will be different. Any suggestions on how to help him through that? Most of you won't have had to deal with that before -- but neither have I -- any ideas?
5 comments:
once upon a time I was working at good ole KC - and took care of a young boy who had Celiac's Disease. This is WAY before it was highly diagnosed and his mother had to do a LOT of research and the such to find out what he could eat (almost nothing) She was Amazing... and I will never know HOW she found the time, but she got our menu a month in advance and planned her family's menu to match (only a week earlier for everything) and made the same items in a safe version. She then froze individual portions for Arthur and brought them in each week. Yes, his meal didn't always look exactly the same - but it was as close as she could do. She communicated really well with the staff and with the other parents so that birthdays were not usually an issue - she would (again) make a safe version when the occasion called for it. Hmmm... now that I've filled your comment box with something ever so UNhelpful - I think you're doing a spectacular job... and yes, he's going to be a little different... but what doesn't kill us makes us stronger - so let's vote for him growing MUCH stronger by avoiding that which could kill him!
We had a gal with a ton of allergies on one of our soccer teams, and the mom gave us all a list of "treats" and "drinks" that she could have (including fruits), and we were more than happy to bring from the list. That was way better than having one treat for everyone and another treat for her. That's the type of thing that does make a kid feel left out. And at our school, we have a table in the lunchroom that they call the "Peanut free" table. Even kids without peanut allergies can sit with their friends, just not if they have anything dangerous with them. The school will help with that (hopefully) but I think as Dan gets older, he'll just have to be reminded that everyone has something they have to watch out for or struggle with in life, and his just happens to be really open for everyone to see. Others might not be so obvious, but they still have things too. Thanks for the good reminder blogs. He's so cute. You could write a book of recipes and get it published by Cedar Fort or something!
I'm going to go all psychological here just warning you and I'm not speaking from experience so I really have no say.....
Dan doesn't know what he's missing. Hopefully he's one of those kids who just is matter of fact about his reality and the fact that he gets different food/treats is just How It Is for him. I think moms internalize things more and don't give the kids enough credit. You know what he's missing out on because you have enjoyed the foods he can't. Hopefully he will be like nephew Tyler and just police himself so well that he's not even tempted to eat things that are harmful.
And I like Happy Mom's suggestion of the list for other parents for things he CAN eat. More helpful for us other parents than just a simple ban!
T -- I didn't think your comment was unhelpful -- thinking ahead is very important.
Happy Mom -- I liked the treat list idea.
Megz -- I try to remember that Dan doesn't know what he's missing because that helps a little when I'm feeling sorry for him.
I too, think that was helpful to make a list of CAN-have snacks.
Food allergies are becoming more and more common it seems. Hence, the peanut-free lunch table. Who knows why? But it's good that there is more and more awareness and support out there from helpful people like you.
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