Where Managing Allergies Meets the Joys of Motherhood
Where Managing Allergies Meets the Joys of Motherhood
The Signs My son was just 4 months old when I noticed signs of a potential food allergy — a rash beginning to form on his face. At first, we didn’t think much of it. After all, he hadn’t started solids yet, so how could …
As a mother of a child with food allergies, the pressure to create a safe environment can feel overwhelming. Add in the complexity of social situations and the constant worry about allergens, and it’s easy to see how these factors can weigh heavily on our …
I have often wondered if there is a way we could have prevented my son’s peanut allergy. Searching for answers, I came across an article published in The Wall Street Journal titled “How Pediatricians Created the Peanut Allergy Epidemic.” In the article, author Dr. Marty …
Valentine’s Day at school is all about spreading love, joy, and sweet surprises. As a teacher, it has always been one of my favorite holidays to celebrate in the classroom. However, if your child has food allergies, finding safe treats can be a challenge. Whether …
The Signs My son was just 4 months old when I noticed signs of a potential food allergy — a rash beginning to form on his face. At first, we didn’t think much of it. After all, he hadn’t started solids yet, so how could …
As a mother of a child with food allergies, the pressure to create a safe environment can feel overwhelming. Add in the complexity of social situations and the constant worry about allergens, and it’s easy to see how these factors can weigh heavily on our hearts and minds. Reflecting on the past year, I’ve realized that I feel most at peace and empowered when my actions and decisions align with my core values.
With that in mind, I’ve decided to approach 2025 differently. In previous years, I’d set a New Year’s Resolution with the best intentions, only to feel defeated when I inevitably fell short of my goal. This year, I’m choosing to let go of the pressure to “achieve” and instead focus on living by my core values. By grounding my choices in what truly matters to me, I hope to cultivate a sense of fulfillment and balance—one that supports both my family’s needs and my own well-being.
Studies have shown that value congruence (the alignment of personal values with behaviors) is associated with lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Conversely, research shows mothers of food-allergic children under age five experience significantly higher blood-pressure measurements and report much greater levels of psychosocial stress than mothers whose children do not have food allergies. This contrast underscores the profound impact that both external stressors and personal value alignment can have on mental and physical health. Furthermore, highlighting the importance of nurturing both personal well-being and the well-being of our children.
In addition to improving well-being and happiness, it’s vitally important to model living our values for our children. By consistently living in accordance with our core values, we teach our children how to act in alignment with those same values. When we demonstrate values like kindness, honesty, empathy, and integrity in our daily lives, we offer them a roadmap for how to navigate the world with a strong moral compass. This modeling helps them internalize these values and apply them in their own lives, ultimately influencing how they build relationships, make choices, and handle challenges as they grow.
For many allergy parents, inclusion is a fundamental core value that guides our efforts in advocating for our children, especially at school. A pain point for me at the start of the 2024-2025 school year was last minute communication regarding classroom celebrations, which often include food. For a child with food allergies to safely participate, communication and pre-planning are essential. While I’m typically willing to rush to the store at a moment’s notice to ensure my son can join in the fun, I began to feel increasingly frustrated by the day of notice.
The unexpected grocery store runs were starting to feel unrealistic and stressful. I realized that there would eventually come a time when the ball would be dropped, and my son would be left out. This growing frustration made me realize the importance of clear, proactive communication to allow me to plan ahead, ensuring that inclusion didn’t come at the cost of my own well-being.
I sat with an uneasy feeling for a while and then decided it was time– I needed to message my son’s classroom parent group chat. To remedy the situation, I leaned into my core values and communicated with honesty. I explained that our son had peanut and tree nut allergies that prevented him from eating the regular grocery store cupcakes because they posed a risk for cross contamination. In addition, I shared brands that we were comfortable with and asked that they kindly give us a heads up at least a day prior to bringing in treats for the class. The response was overwhelmingly positive and I felt an immediate sense of relief.
While there are many values I hold close to my heart, this year I am choosing to highlight two: Connection and Kindness. These core values play an important role in how I show up as a mom and how I navigate our journey with food allergies.
When my son was born, finding a community of other first time moms was my life line. The ability to connect with a group of women who were also experiencing matrescence vastly improved my quality of life during a time when I felt isolated and unsure of myself. Similarly, when my son was first diagnosed with food allergies I had recurrent feelings of anxiety and isolation. Recently, though, I’ve found how reassuring and comforting it is to connect with other allergy parents. Simply knowing that others truly understand the unique challenges we face has been an incredible source of support. As I look ahead to 2025, I want to prioritize continuing to engage with and learn from the allergy community.
Across many studies, kindness is linked to greater well-being. To manage the stress of allergy parenting, I want to be kinder to my body and mind. This means practicing positive self-talk and being less critical of my shortcomings, especially as a mom. Most importantly, I want to model self-compassion and self-care for my children. I want them to see that it’s okay to make mistakes, take breaks, and prioritize their well-being. By doing this, I hope to teach them resilience and balance, showing them that caring for themselves is just as important as caring for others. This mindset shift will help me navigate allergy parenting with more grace and model kindness for my children.
If you’re wanting to lean into your core values in the new year, but are not sure where to start, here are a few helpful steps to guide you:
2. Next, try taking an online core values assessment like this one- https://personalvalu.es/personal-values-test ,or this one- https://www.susandavid.com/resource/how-to-identify-your-values/
3. Once you’ve narrowed down the value or values you want to prioritize for the year, brainstorm what that would look like in practice.
4. Write it down: On a sticky note, in a note on your phone, or your monthly calendar. You’ll want to write your values down somewhere you can be reminded and revisit frequently.
5. Every so often revisit your values and and assess how they are being reflected in your actions and decision making.
As we step into the new year, I wish for each of us the strength to stay grounded in our values, the grace to embrace life’s challenges, and the peace that comes from prioritizing our well-being and our loved ones. May this year be filled with moments of joy, connection, and growth, both as parents and as individuals. Here’s to a year of living with purpose, resilience, and kindness to ourselves and others. Happy New Year!
An old tradition, turned new! Growing up, my extended family would gather on Christmas Eve for dinner and a present exchange. Now that I’m a mom, I understand why Grandma’s Christmas Eve Chili was often on the menu. It’s easy to make, delicious and filling. …
As the mom of a kid with a nut allergy, I am always on the hunt for fun holiday treats that are both safe and delicious. This Nut-Free Holiday Chex Mix is a family favorite of ours. What’s best is you can involve the whole …
I have often wondered if there is a way we could have prevented my son’s peanut allergy. Searching for answers, I came across an article published in The Wall Street Journal titled “How Pediatricians Created the Peanut Allergy Epidemic.” In the article, author Dr. Marty Makary claims that the U.S. peanut allergy epidemic was caused by well-intentioned pediatricians who, in the early 2000’s issued a recommendation for children to avoid peanuts until 3 years of age. Dr. Makary makes the correlation between guidance to avoid peanuts and the year over year increase in severe peanut allergies.
I can appreciate Dr. Makary’s perspective and his attempt to shed light on what happens when the medical field “gets it wrong.” However, this article does not acknowledge our current reality. For almost a decade parents have been instructed and encouraged to introduce top allergens as early as 4 months of age, yet the prevalence of peanut and other food allergies are still on the rise. This fact alone suggests there are reasons beyond early introduction of allergens that are contributing to the rise in severe food allergies.
Dr. Makary’s claim that the peanut allergy epidemic is a “largely avoidable consequence of our policy of peanut abstinence,” is misleading. In 2000, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a recommendation for children ages 0 to 3 years, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers to avoid all peanuts. However, by 2008 this guidance was reversed and in 2015 the AAP endorsed an early exposure recommendation for high risk infants as a strategy for prevention.
To further illustrate how pediatricians got it wrong, Dr. Makary cites the The Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) Study. In the study published in 2015 by the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Gideon Lack compared a group of infants exposed to peanut butter at 4-11 months to another group that had no exposure. The LEAP Study found that early exposure resulted in an 81% reduction in peanut allergies by the time the child reached age 5 compared with children who avoided peanuts. The LEAP Study went on to become a leading impetus for the AAP’s public health policy change, which resulted in the 2015 revision of its initial recommendation to avoid peanuts.
I first learned of The LEAP Study in 2021 when we visited my son’s pediatrician for his 3 month well baby visit. It was at that visit that our pediatrician stressed the importance of early introduction of the most common allergens. We were told this was the best way to avoid food allergies. At 5 months old we started to introduce solids and within the same month our son was diagnosed with an IgE-mediated peanut allergy as well as other severe food allergies through skin and blood tests. We had followed our pediatrician’s guidance and yet our son, like many others, was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy.
Regardless of who is at fault for the American Peanut Epidemic, the reality is:
Instead of casting blame on antiquated guidance set forth by well-meaning pediatricians, let’s focus our attention and energy on the path forward. There is a need for more research related to food allergy causes and prevention beyond early introduction of allergens. We followed the guidance, just like other parents have done for the past decade, and yet here we are— navigating life with severe food allergies. Exploring root causes of food allergies will better inform a more robust approach to allergy prevention.
For information and resources about how to safely introduce peanuts to your infant please visit: https://foodallergyprevention.org/feeding-tips/
It’s the most wonderful time of year, but also the busiest. That’s why I love this easy make-ahead Breakfast Casserole. It’s the perfect dish to put together on Christmas Eve, pop in the refrigerator, and throw it in the oven on Christmas morning. I love …
As an allergy mom, I am always on the hunt for safe and festive foods to share with family and friends. This year, I am kicking things off with a nut-free twist on a crowd pleasing favorite: Donna Kelce’s Marshmallow Pastry Puff Dinner Rolls. Mama …
Many of our favorite holidays have one thing in common– FOOD. As an allergy mom and holiday magic maker, shifting attention away from food centered activities has helped lessen my anxiety. As much as I love a festive dinner and holiday treats, having a schedule of non-food related fun not only eases anxiety, it helps to make the entire season more JOYFUL. To help, I’ve compiled a list of 15 Allergy-Friendly Holiday Activities to Make Every Season Joyful.
One of our favorite family traditions is looking at holiday decorations. For us, this starts at the beginning of October when many neighbors begin to decorate for Halloween. Our brisk evening walks quickly turn into winter night drives. We love to crank up the holiday tunes and check out twinkling light displays.
It’s a busy time of year, so I find it helpful to get the calendar out at the beginning of each month and pencil in a few activities. Many of these ideas can extend beyond the winter months and be used any time of year.
Here is my list of 15 Allergy-Friendly Holiday Activities to Make Every Season Joyful:
My hope is that you find a few allergy-friendly activities to help make your season bright. There is so much magic to be celebrated and managing food allergies doesn’t need to dull the sparkle of the holiday season. What are your favorite allergy-friendly holiday activities? Share them in the comments!
Goulash has become a staple in our home, perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in. The rich flavors and comforting warmth make it a cherished favorite. A customizable dish perfect for a variety of dietary needs.
As a mother of a child with food allergies, the pressure to create a safe environment can feel overwhelming. Add in the complexity of social situations and the constant worry about allergens, and it’s easy to see how these factors can weigh heavily on our hearts and minds. Reflecting on the past year, I’ve realized that I feel most at peace and empowered when my actions and decisions align with my core values.
With that in mind, I’ve decided to approach 2025 differently. In previous years, I’d set a New Year’s Resolution with the best intentions, only to feel defeated when I inevitably fell short of my goal. This year, I’m choosing to let go of the pressure to “achieve” and instead focus on living by my core values. By grounding my choices in what truly matters to me, I hope to cultivate a sense of fulfillment and balance—one that supports both my family’s needs and my own well-being.
Studies have shown that value congruence (the alignment of personal values with behaviors) is associated with lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Conversely, research shows mothers of food-allergic children under age five experience significantly higher blood-pressure measurements and report much greater levels of psychosocial stress than mothers whose children do not have food allergies. This contrast underscores the profound impact that both external stressors and personal value alignment can have on mental and physical health. Furthermore, highlighting the importance of nurturing both personal well-being and the well-being of our children.
In addition to improving well-being and happiness, it’s vitally important to model living our values for our children. By consistently living in accordance with our core values, we teach our children how to act in alignment with those same values. When we demonstrate values like kindness, honesty, empathy, and integrity in our daily lives, we offer them a roadmap for how to navigate the world with a strong moral compass. This modeling helps them internalize these values and apply them in their own lives, ultimately influencing how they build relationships, make choices, and handle challenges as they grow.
For many allergy parents, inclusion is a fundamental core value that guides our efforts in advocating for our children, especially at school. A pain point for me at the start of the 2024-2025 school year was last minute communication regarding classroom celebrations, which often include food. For a child with food allergies to safely participate, communication and pre-planning are essential. While I’m typically willing to rush to the store at a moment’s notice to ensure my son can join in the fun, I began to feel increasingly frustrated by the day of notice.
The unexpected grocery store runs were starting to feel unrealistic and stressful. I realized that there would eventually come a time when the ball would be dropped, and my son would be left out. This growing frustration made me realize the importance of clear, proactive communication to allow me to plan ahead, ensuring that inclusion didn’t come at the cost of my own well-being.
I sat with an uneasy feeling for a while and then decided it was time– I needed to message my son’s classroom parent group chat. To remedy the situation, I leaned into my core values and communicated with honesty. I explained that our son had peanut and tree nut allergies that prevented him from eating the regular grocery store cupcakes because they posed a risk for cross contamination. In addition, I shared brands that we were comfortable with and asked that they kindly give us a heads up at least a day prior to bringing in treats for the class. The response was overwhelmingly positive and I felt an immediate sense of relief.
While there are many values I hold close to my heart, this year I am choosing to highlight two: Connection and Kindness. These core values play an important role in how I show up as a mom and how I navigate our journey with food allergies.
When my son was born, finding a community of other first time moms was my life line. The ability to connect with a group of women who were also experiencing matrescence vastly improved my quality of life during a time when I felt isolated and unsure of myself. Similarly, when my son was first diagnosed with food allergies I had recurrent feelings of anxiety and isolation. Recently, though, I’ve found how reassuring and comforting it is to connect with other allergy parents. Simply knowing that others truly understand the unique challenges we face has been an incredible source of support. As I look ahead to 2025, I want to prioritize continuing to engage with and learn from the allergy community.
Across many studies, kindness is linked to greater well-being. To manage the stress of allergy parenting, I want to be kinder to my body and mind. This means practicing positive self-talk and being less critical of my shortcomings, especially as a mom. Most importantly, I want to model self-compassion and self-care for my children. I want them to see that it’s okay to make mistakes, take breaks, and prioritize their well-being. By doing this, I hope to teach them resilience and balance, showing them that caring for themselves is just as important as caring for others. This mindset shift will help me navigate allergy parenting with more grace and model kindness for my children.
If you’re wanting to lean into your core values in the new year, but are not sure where to start, here are a few helpful steps to guide you:
2. Next, try taking an online core values assessment like this one- https://personalvalu.es/personal-values-test ,or this one- https://www.susandavid.com/resource/how-to-identify-your-values/
3. Once you’ve narrowed down the value or values you want to prioritize for the year, brainstorm what that would look like in practice.
4. Write it down: On a sticky note, in a note on your phone, or your monthly calendar. You’ll want to write your values down somewhere you can be reminded and revisit frequently.
5. Every so often revisit your values and and assess how they are being reflected in your actions and decision making.
As we step into the new year, I wish for each of us the strength to stay grounded in our values, the grace to embrace life’s challenges, and the peace that comes from prioritizing our well-being and our loved ones. May this year be filled with moments of joy, connection, and growth, both as parents and as individuals. Here’s to a year of living with purpose, resilience, and kindness to ourselves and others. Happy New Year!