Hi, Tammy!  So glad Gilad is doing so well understanding & explaining his food allergy to others.  This is such an important area for educating others!

Our 6-yr-old son also was diagnosed with food allergies at about 18 mos.  I am thankful he was so young when it started, because he has been so thoroughly used to living with this, that it is easier sometimes for him to remember risks than for Mom or Dad! 

I think it is crucial to tell our children not to share food with others.  Children and even well-meaning adults who are ignorant of how complicated it can be to avoid food allergens cannot be trusted to keep our children safe.  I don't know how many times we have had adult friends say that food were safe for our child b/c the primary ingredients were not peanuts or tree nuts.  I don't bother to try to tell all of these adults how to read food labels (the warnings of processed on the same machinery as nuts are so important as seemingly harmless things like popcorn have spurred a peanut/treenut reaction for our son), but I just don't let him accept food from adults other than his parents or family members/teachers who have been well-trained.  

I don't know why others would "dumb down" the explanation for your child by saying that it wasn't life-threatening.  But we have been straightforward with others that our child has a life-threatening condition which (thankfully) has never yet been as dramatic as many others.  He has not had anaphylaxis yet nor has he had to receive a shot from the epi-pen we carry everywhere with us.  His most common symptom when exposed to a food allergen is hives/splotches.  He has had vomiting and itchiness in his mouth/throat.  Perhaps this would lead him when explaining his situation or others when interpreting what we've told them to think of his situation as at risk of making our child "sick" versus a matter of life & death?  I don't know, but I am feeling more aware of this language/way of framing the issue after reading your article.  Thank you!

Thankyou for your informative story and yes it is always better to be straight up about what will happen if they eat the food they are allergic too.  I have an 8 year old who is allergic to peanuts and I have always told him from the start exactly what will happen to him.  At the end of the day, when they grow up, they will have to rely on themselves educating others

It is wonderful to see how well you have educated your child about his allergy. I have been a pre-school teacher for 13 years and have always included allergy awareness in my programs for all children. Because i am familiar with allergies through family members with anaphylaxis as well as a gluten allergy myself i have always thought it important to educate children in this area. I have always had 3 or 4 children in my class of 20 with an allergy of some form - in many cases parents sent their children to our pre-school because we were so diligent with allergies. I have always educated the children in the class about the dangers of allergies just as we teach them about road safety and the dangers associated with things such as spiders. Allergies have become a big part of our community and it is vital to educate all children about them. Bravo for educating your child so well.

After all education opens the door to new learning experiences for children.  

Thanks for writing this article. Raising awareness about anaphylaxis is high on my priority list as my son also has anaphylaxis. He is 11 now and I have always been up front with him about the risks he faces. I would also recommend that once your son can read you teach him to read ingredient lists and any special names for that item he is allergic to that he should look out for.

Thank you for your post. My 5 year old started Kindergarten this year and has a boy who also suffers from peanut allergy amonst other things. It was hard for me to explain to my daughter not to share her food etc with anyone in her class, as my daughter is not allergic to anything (apart from cleaning her room ). On one hand, I had taught her to share her things with her brother and cousins, but now I'm saying "don't share". It is a mixed signal for a 5 year old, but now that I have read your post, I find it so much easier to explain to her why I would not like her to share her food at school.

So thank you for "educating me" about peanut allergy.

That is absolutely fantastic especially with the information coming from a 4 year old. EVerybody needs to know if they have a allergy it is such an important issue.

I believe in telling my child the truth when hes old enough to understand speach anyway :) but the odd white lie can't hurt either i.e santa clause, easter bunny, etc. I always loved to have something to look forward to and when i got older it really wasnt so disapointing for me to find out otherwise.

Thankfully my lil guy hasnt got a nut allergy or any other allergy that we've discovered yet but i know a couple of people who do and im continually amazed at thier strength to miss out on alot of different types of food groups and not whine and complain about thier misfortune.

My 2nd daughter is allergic to peanuts. We found out when she was 2. We told her truth upfront and never hid anything. She so accepting of her allergy and as the years have gone on (shes 6) She asks so many questions. Shes learned what the word peanut looks like and we often see her trying to read the ingredients on packs. When shes with some else and they offer her food, her response is "does it have peanuts? I'm allergic to peanuts." We just found out a few weeks ago that shes allergic to chickpeas now as well.

By educating your children, they in turn educate everyone around them. Even my 1st daughter is well educated and protective of her allergy siblings. My girls spent an afternoon with my dad (I had just given birth to my 1st son.) He tried to give my 2nd a peanut butter sandwich. My 1st put up such a fuss over it he called my hubby! ( I won't mention that we told him 3 times not give her peanut butter or peanut products!) They've never stayed with him again. I don't understand how he could be so stupid as he has a severe allergy to bee stings!!!!!!!!

The school my children attend educate the children in a health lesson. Apparently it went very well, because when aliitle boy started in my 2nds class the children asked him heaps of questions about his citrus and chemical allergy!

Education is the key to save a childs life.

I think that was a wonderfull and insightful story and will help a lot of parents. My son has an allergy to peanuts as well, he is only 4 years old and when peanut butter got on his face his whole face got puffy and he had to take this special medicen to help. My brother is deathly allergic to peanuts as well. When he was younger he was rushed to the hospital after swallowing a peanut, his throat was closing. it is very scary for a parent and for the child.

I relate to what are saying,,,so true! My son is allergic to peanuts too!

Great work! I really likes you article.

Cheers xx

We should never lie to our children.  The truth gives them strength.

my aunty has a 4 year old who is the same and chloe says they same. she is also glutan and egg and glriserine and a heap of other things too. chloe knows what she can and cant have and has a career at school.

great info

Fantastic! If you stick to the facts your child will not be tempted to 'try' it not worrying too much about getting sick! I can't imagine how stressful it would be to have a child with a deadly allergy!

Such useful information Tammy.  Kids are never too young to start learning.  I haven't really started yet with Harrison but I guess I really need to!

It must be really tough to have to live with this every day.

People wonder why so many allergies but i think a lot of it stems from not only additives and preservatives, but also that products like peanuts, wheat, soy and dairy are in everything.  Products that you would not presume to have any of those in do, i guess you have to be really viligent with buying your food and reading labels.

Great advice

Julie

our whole kindy is not allowed to bring anything with penuts in it to school, it was hard to find things at first but i guess it would be even harder for people who live with the allergy all the time. great article ::)'s from becca!

Well done on educating your child so well

xxx

what a brave child,, and what a great mother thanks for sharing xxxshar

Great Advice and well done on educating your child on his allergies and how cute that would have being him standing there and telling the whole classess...

It is a scary allergy and if more children know about it, it sure saves a reaction if giving to them..

xxx cazza

well done tammy and son!

im interested to know if schools give out information regarding anaphylaxis allergies to parents?

i received them through childcare but how about primary schools?

Great advice Tammy, its great youve educated your son so well. Ruby is still at the age where I have to be the protector.. Im like the food police... Think toddler groups dread us coming in 'no nuts, strawberries, tomatos and kiwis'. Im trying to teach her that they are dangerous for her, but currently she thinks tomatoes are cute little red balls to be played with. I have to tell people not to have them when we go round! Em xxx

Well done for your son to say why he's allergic to peanuts etc and what it can do twice, especially in front of a big group. well done. YOu must be so proud.

I totally agree you should educate your child on why they are allergic to certain food, and tell them the outcome of it, and all the dangers. Well done for doing this. You are a very well educated parent and so is your son, and big hugs for you for doing such an excellent job

Hi

Thank you

The more that we find out the better.

The faster we eradicate  diseases and allergys better still

We are a long way from discovering it so education is paramount.

What i often wonder is why are they more prevalent.  What have we done to be in a society with so many children allergic to every day products. 

I thing the chemicals and additives in our foods have a lot to answer for

Luv Deb