Tis the season!

Family.  Family. Family.  I have learned over the years to dread family get togethers, especially at the holidays.  For allergy reasons of course.  The endless parade of treats, eats, candy - you name it, its out and available for eating.  As we navigate the holidays, I have repeatedly "trained" my children to do the following:

• Don't eat anything without asking me first.

For the adults:

• If you prepare a dish that you are expecting to serve to my child, keep the labels.
• Wash your children's hands and wash your own, often.
• Do not, please do not bring treats for your children that aren't peanut free.  Inclusion is the goal here, not a melt down next to the Christmas tree.
• Do not feed my children.  Ever.
• No open discussions on his allergy, save that for when we are alone.

I know that my family doesn't deal with his allergy on a day to day basis, I understand the confusion - I encourage them to ask me any questions.  My family are very accommodating and allergy aware to a degree.  I fully expect someone to shout from the kitchen 'Can he have _ _ _ _ _ ?"  To which I will respond "What does the label say, what does the allergen statement say?"  Makes me a little crazy, READ EVERY LABEL EVERY TIME!  I am not a walking plethora of ingredients lists.  I do not spend my evenings memorising every single label of every single product ever made.  Alas, I know its going to happen, and even better they will look at me waiting for a yes or no answer.  It would be funny if it wasn't so serious and downright irritating!  But at least they are asking questions - even if they are annoying.  Thankfully this year we aren't contending with peanut butter and chocolate squares - those have been banned and yes, they made an appearance TWICE over the years from an in-law.

Happy Holidays!

Eat safe,