Before you try new things with a toddler who has food allergies, you’re bound to overthink it, right? At least, I am!
Going out in public IS trickier with children who have food allergies – especially babies and toddlers who put things in their mouths or touch things and then put their hands in their mouths. This is where we currently are with a 19 month old.
So when warmer weather started rolling around, I started worrying over what it would look like to take Zeke to the park. In my mind, there were peanuts on EVERYTHING. Everyone is eating a peanut butter sandwich and then running to the slide, touching the swing, spreading it on the rocks…yeah. In my mind, when people say, “where peanut hides,” it automatically implies that peanut is in EVERYTHING, hiding, just waiting to pounce. Including the rocks under the play equipment at the park. Aye aye yae. In true me fashion, I scoured the internet for a “quick fix” of “do this and you’ll never have to worry about coming in contact with an allergen at the park!” Spoiler alert : there isn’t one.
Do I have all the food allergy worries figured out? No. I probably never will – there are so many new life situations to experience…
But I realized I needed a mindset shift, and fast. I took Zeke to the park, epi pen in tow, and continued to breathe breaths of relief as he continued to thrive and love being at the park as a healthy toddler. We have now successfully gone to the park many times, always with an epi pen on hand, of course, but have learned to let the fear go, control what you can control, and let go of what you cannot.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- There is no quick fix or magic button to ensure my child doesn’t come into contact with an allergen at the park
- Yes, bring your epi pen
- I also bring wipes to wipe off little hands when we leave (because we know those fingers are going straight in the mouth when we get in the car).
INSTEAD:
- Find a park that is not as popular – fewer people means less chances of an allergen being spread to the play equipment
- Embrace change: maybe, if you’re not ready for a public park, go to a place that doesn’t allow food or it is managed. For us, this looks like:
- A gymnastics gym that holds toddler time (thank you!!)
- A nature walk at the nature center
- Family outing to the beach
- Playdate with a friend who understands our allergy needs
One thing that I want to remind you of, is that just because everyone is doing something, doesn’t mean you have to too. Just because it’s the norm for summer to be all about parks, that doesn’t have to be your norm! Don’t get me wrong – it CAN be your thing, but it doesn’t HAVE to be. RELEASE the pressure of society to be or do something that doesn’t fit into your life puzzle at the moment.
Create a new fun tradition for your family that doesn’t feel like you’re missing out on a park because you’ve decided to create memories with your family in a safe, worry-free environment.
Let me re-iterate that: you’ve DECIDED that your family is a gym family.
You’ve DECIDED that your family is a nature hike family.
You’ve DECIDED that you are going to ENJOY your summer with your kids doing things you love without the added stress of a public park.
That’s OKAY.
Flip the script, have a fun summer for YOU on YOUR TERMS creating the memories with the children that you crave.
Let me also remind you that this is a season. One day, your child isn’t going to be putting their hands in their mouth. Next year will look different. Grab hold of this year by the horns and go for it!
You’ve got this.
Comments +