Holidays with the Family

I have been reading a lot of articles lately of people being afraid to offend family members because of food allergies.  And the question to stay or to go if the food is unsafe.

Let me start by saying, family or not, if the environment is unsafe for your food allergy,  you need to leave.  No guilty, no stress, just go.

Here are some tips that can help you get through the holiday.

1. Speak Up

You need to remember that you live with food allergies everyday, and the majority of people do not.  Remind who ever is hosting that you have a food allergy that needs to be taken into account,  if they would like you to be present.

More often than not, they understand,  appreciate that you reminded them, and are willing to make concessions for you to be part of the holiday.

2. Pack a Bag

We always plan for the worst. Pack extra clothes in case there's an accident, pack snacks and one or two meals for the car or in case my daughter refuse to eat anything else. And we always have our Epi-pens and Benadryl.

3. You Have the Right to...

If you walk in and there is a bowl of nuts on the table that everyone is eating. You have the right to ask that it be put away and that everyone wash up.
And if they choose to not respect this request,  you have the right to leave.

Your food allergy, your life, is more important then someone else's desire for a treat. When you accept that fact, you will never again ask if you have the right to... fill in the blank.

Most family members understand and don't want their Holiday celebration to end in a trip to the ER. And if they don't, do you really want to spend time with them? I wouldn't.