Now that my daughter is nearly 10, she's been wanting to do more with friends. This is good and only natural but of course for kids with severe food allergies, letting go is a little harder. I've always tried to be consistent with our rules about eating so that she will stick to them when she's away from home.
Last weekend, my daughter was invited to a high school championship basketball game and she was very excited to attend. We fed her a good-sized dinner complete with dessert to make sure she wouldn't be tempted to eat uncertain foods, asked her not to eat at the game (we said she could get a drink) and offered to pack a snack. She declined the snack and we sent her on her way.
I am happy to have her be invited to things, but I always worry a little bit when I know she'll be around food and I have no idea what it is. Sure enough, not only was there a concession stand but my daughter was offered sandwiches from the "coach's lounge" (privilege of attending the game with the daughter of a teacher--woohoo!).
My daughter declined the foods (she wasn't hungry--thanks to the big meal) and that was that. She was very secure in doing this and it was not a big deal.
One thing she pointed out to me was that the concession stand offered unpackaged foods like fresh popcorn and nachos. She also noticed Snicker's bars behind the counter.
The concession stand was being staffed by two teenage girls and my daughter noticed they were eating while they served customers. Nothing wrong with that, except my daughter said that she would probably not buy a non-packaged food (like fresh popcorn or nachos) from someone eating an unknown substance, like maybe a Snicker's bar. I admit that I hadn't thought of that aspect, but I'm glad she did.
Letting go isn't easy, but it looks like she's got some strong self-preservation instincts so I can feel pretty good about that. We're also teaching her to use an EpiPen and that will also help her to feel more secure when she's out and about.
When you've got a fairly young child diagnosed with nut allergies, you might think you have to follow them forever, that you'll never be able to let them out on their own. I learned that if you teach them reasonable caution, they'll get it. Sooner or later, they'll get it. In basketball terms, my daughter scored a 3-pointer that night.
Of course, it doesn't hurt to make sure they've got a full stomach before sending them out there. :)
6 comments:
What a responsible, aware young lady! And what a great job you're doing to make sure she's learned to protect herself. I don't know that I would have thought of the Snickers/nachos issue in advance, by the way. Adding that one to my list of training issues.
Wow!! Impressive! That is awesome how you have taught her in a way that doesn't scare her to the point where she's afraid to try new things/activities! To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure if I would have put the Snickers, opened popcorn and girls eating connection together like that...maybe it's bcs we're still new to all of this?! That would definitely apply to the movie theater, too! Let her know we learned something from her experience!! Thanks for sharing!
Wow, what a smart daughter. How old is she? I don't think I would have thought of that either but I will now. Sounds like you are doing a great job Mom!
I like to read your posts about your daughter's wise decision-making. It's comforting. I feel sure my son will do the same--he has really done a great job so far. Still...the letting go with a life threatening food allergy--it is hard to do. Watching and listening to the moms who are a little further along the food allergy road makes it easier. :)
What intelligent young lady your daughter is. I too would not have thought of the concession stand like she did. My daughter is a toddler and fear the day that I have to let her out of my sight. Thanks to you for easing my fears a little of letting go. :)
Thanks for all of the nice comments about my daughter...she is definitely mature in her handling of her allergies and always has been. I'm very lucky to have her!
In fact, she's more careful than we are at times, which makes sense. After all, she is the one who has experienced the reactions and doesn't want it to happen again.
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