Jane Park Jane Park

Take Food Allergies Seriously

we were hanging out at a park when we received a call— a dinner invitation.

not long ago, I hesitated & often declined to take Emma to anyone’s house because it can be difficult and very awkward on both party’s ends to keep a toddler with multiple food allergies safe…

…but today gave me hope

recently upon seeing Emma have an allergic reaction, her grandparents began to take action in light of her allergies and are learning to take precautionary measure to protect Emma alongside us. it’s making a world of a difference.

today, they thoroughly wiped down their dining table (we use Branch Basics to clean surfaces), agreed to triple wash their kitchenware with emma’s allergen-free *Branch Basics soap + a new sponge, and made her a fresh batch of her favorite Korean soup + an organic veggie platter

Dinner for a food allergy family

it more than warms my heart to be able to sit down and enjoy a meal surrounded by friends/family who are all looking out for my allergy child. I feel like I can breathe.

Me: “this month is Food Allergy awareness month. As grandparents to a child with food allergies what advice would you give someone who doesn’t have allergies?”

Emma’s grandpa: “Take it seriously— people don’t think allergies are a serious issue. They think it’s not a big deal. But it can be life threatening.”

tonight’s dinner conversation naturally led me to:

#foodallergyawareness Tip No. 2

Take food allergies SERIOUSLY— a snack for one kid can be literal poison for another.

in the past, we’ve been dismissed, laughed at, and seen as “difficult”— I get it! no one wants to face the reality that an innocent treat can end my child life, but…

friendly REMINDER:

a person’s allergies aren’t a “diet choice” or a “lifestyle” — our child did not choose to have allergies.

A food allergy is a medical condition. Seriously, it’s not a choice.

Thank you for taking this seriously!


* this referral link gets you $10 off your branch basics order. I get a small referral credit that comes at no additional cost to you.

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