Dealing with other people

[MurderOfBanshees]

DS is 19 months and was diagnosed with an egg allergy (we took him to be tested for a milk allergy before he was weaned, and discovered the egg allergy then), problem is we don't know how he'd react if he was given egg. We don't know how serious the allergy is.

Because we can't say for definite how he will react we are finding some people are being a bit.. um.. casual with avoiding egg. So far we've managed to step in every time, but it's a little worrying.

On Saturday a friend of the family decided to hand him a piece of a wrap she was eating, while me and DH weren't in the room, and when DH asked if it was egg free she said she had no idea. I had to quiz her on exactly what was in the wrap, luckily no mayo!

But she then had the cheek to get upset at us getting angry, like it was totally unreasonable for us to want people to give a damn about DS's health!

So.. any advice on dealing with this? Think some people think we are overreacting, or they're treating us as if we've just plucked this allergy out of thin air just to make a song and dance about it.

Did she know he has an allergy though? If she did then she was silly...but unless you've got the experience of being on constant alert then it;s understandable sometimes...if dangerous...that people don't think.

Giving food to a child is a natural thing to some people...they show affection through it...I think that in future, you need to clearly state that DS is egg allergic...whenever you're around food and people who don't know the facts.

Yes, she did. Sorry to forgot to say that. She definitely did, we talk about it a lot to try and stop people forgetting, plus we'd mentioned it all of about 10 minutes before she gave him the food.

I think she honestly just believes we are overreacting, and that if we just let him try egg we'd find out he wasn't allergic after all.

you have to be quite vocal, and ask that people dont feed your child unless you have approved the food.

any adult who gets upset isnt your concern, you as a parent have the right to keep your child safe and well.

be clear, say simple sentances 'we are taking care of our sons health as medically advised'

and if adult still reacts in a hostile way, never leave that adult alone with the care of your child. If they dont have the ability to respect your rules on keeping a child safe, they cant be trusted.

sounds harsh, but it does take extended family and friends some time to get their heads around food allergies. You have to grow a thick skin for a while!