As a mom, my job is to protect my kids. Keep them safe. Make sure they don't run into the street, or go in the snow with bare feet, or stick things into electrical sockets.
Or eat things that could hurt them.
This last one is the culprit of serious stress. For months and years you take care to be sure their food is cut small enough. And is soft enough. And cooked through enough. And that they don't eat anything they are allergic to...if they are allergic. And how do you find out if they are allergic? Well, you give them whatever the "test" food is and wait and see. Seriously. WTF. Hate it. Wait and see?
This morning was a big test for Annie -- Peanut butter. So after 10 months of protecting our daughter from everything, we handed her something that could cause her serious harm and basically sat and waited to see what would happen. And she gobbled it up...just like her mama. Thank goodness. No reaction.
I am completely serious that I think kids should try these potentially serious allergens at the doctor's office for the first time. What would we really have done if there had been a reaction? Thrown her in the car (sans car seat in this case since I wouldn't be able to snap those straps with my shaking hands) and frantically driven to the hospital? Called 911 and hoped they arrived in time? Hate to think about it. Really hate to.
Also, peanuts are not nuts (they're legumes). So we still have the nut allergy to contend with. Maybe next year.
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