365 Days With A Food Allergy

A Little Food Allergy Etiquette  I would imagine that being in unfamiliar territory around a person with a life threatening food allergy is about as awkward as it is having one. There is always an ambiguity about what the expectations are, and if you're willing to work with them. My experience is that most people do not want to be a part of any accountability for themselves or their children, so our greatest struggle in our unique roles as FA (food allergy) parents has been consistency with relationships. It's a constant struggle between trying your hardest to make social settings work, and throwing your hands in the air with frustration toward others.  So what is food allergy etiquette? It's all about honesty, communication and compassion. FA parents plan ahead for everything, so there are very little allergen loopholes that can arise if you're communicating with us. The goal is to keep our children plugged in socially without making them feel inadequate for circumst

Most people who learn about our daughter's "condition" look at us with pity. They say "poor Sophia", "what do you all eat?", "how can you do anything", etc. It's an understatement to express how much I dislike that type of mindset. Our daughter is healthy, happy, and well-adjusted to her sense of self, compassion to others, and her young, but moral compass. Although her allergy presents a great number of obstacles, it's also a constant reminder of how precious our lives are. That really has been the greatest blessing for my family. We don't just go through the motions -we feel and connect our way through everything.  The fact of the matter is that Sophia's well-being is 100% dependent on the environments she is subjected to, and we all contribute to that. She is so so aware of this fact that she, her 4-year-old self, is conscientious to others needs in return.  People choose to think everything not about them is someone else&