Food Allergy Parents
On the run-up to Mother’s Day, it got us thinking about all the wonderful parents bringing up a child with food allergies and intolerances.
One of the most daunting and scary things to discover as a parent is your child has a food intolerance or allergy. Suddenly, you have a huge additional responsibility on your shoulders to keep your child safe. And this could just be from foods that could be potentially life-threatening! Your whole lifestyle must change at the drop of a hat. You need to quickly learn about reading food labels and which ingredients/foods to avoid in everyday life. For anybody who hasn’t had prior experience with food allergies, it can feel incredibly overwhelming. What would normally be a simple decision about what to give your child for lunch or dinner becomes a source of anxiety or stress.
Allergy Mistakes
Food allergies are particularly hard for families. Mistakes can have serious consequences. Trying to avoid food allergens is often stressful simply because the stakes can be high. Not to mention the frustrations of navigating a sea of “may contain” statements on food labels.
It’s not uncommon to feel a sense of sadness. For many, there’s a loss of normality and spontaneity. While other parents treat their children to ice creams or pizzas, you must stop and ensure it’s safe first. So much of life revolves around food, such as birthday parties, dining out, celebrations, and family days out. Therefore, handling a food allergy during these events can often feel frustrating, burdensome and lonely.
Although keeping your child away from food-induced harm is never-ending work. Much of which can sometimes go uncredited, once we start to increase our knowledge, get creative with food and understand ways to manage our fears, it does get easier as it starts to become the norm and anxiety does lessen.
It’s been a lived experience for Kirsty for the past 15 years. Her son Jacob was diagnosed with a severe nut allergy and dairy intolerance at 9 months old. In this Q&A, Kirsty gives an honest account of her experience as a food allergy mum. Including how she copes, the emotions she felt and advice to other food allergy parents in the hope it may relieve some of the fear or worries.
This Mother’s Day, we want to celebrate ALL food allergy parents out there; we think you’re amazing and do an incredible job!
Check out the range of allergen-free foods available in Kirsty’s range here.