A recent conversation with Georgia (age 2, almost 3), which was brought on by the topic of eating at preschool, and her new allergy alert bracelet:
Me: "So you can wear this bracelet to remind people of your allergies."
Georgia: "Yeah! It will be so great! And then the food will be safe."
Me: "Well....no, not necessarily. The food might still not be safe. You can just eat our food. We'll give you safe food. Because, well, you know...some other grown ups are not quite as good as mommy and daddy at reading the ingredients. So let's just eat our food, okay?"
Georgia: "Right."
Me (seeing a chance to practice): "Does Georgia eat peanuts?"
Georgia: "Nooooooo."
Me: "Or tree nuts?"
Georgia: "Noooooooo."
Me: "Or cucumbers?" (Just checking here, to see if she has any clue what she's saying.)
Georgia: "Nooooooo."
Me: "Actually, cucumbers are safe, sweetie. You can eat cucumbers."
Georgia: "Some people can't eat cucumbers. But we can eat them."
Me: "Um. Yeah. I guess so. But you can definitely eat cucumbers."
Me again: "So, anyway....no peanuts."
Georgia: "Right."
Me: "And no tree nuts."
Georgia: "Right."
Me: "And no fish."
Georgia: "Right. I can't eat fish. Well, I can't eat orange fish. I mean gold fish. I can't eat gold fish."
(Oh crap...this is really devolving. Is she talking about goldfish crackers now?)
Me: "Well, you can eat goldfish crackers, right? Yes. You can eat goldfish crackers, honey. But you just can't eat real fish."
Georgia: "Right."
I think what we can conclude here is that my oh-so-smart two year old may tell you at any given moment that she is allergic to cucumbers and goldfish.
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1 comment:
Awww Kate, she's so cute. She'll figure it out!
I would practice (if you're not already doing this) by having other Moms offer her things (in your presence) - "Who wants peanut-butter crackers? Who wants trail mix?" and see if she refuses (or at least turns to you for guidance, or announces that there are certain things she can't have). Then have everyone shower her with praise if she responds correctly. And have a yummy, alternative snack, obviously! Practice especially with the foods you think she'll find most tempting - Reeses Pieces, fish sticks, or whatever. Then you can practice with clued in Moms and their kids while you're in another room, then when you're not around, etc.
You may be doing this already, but it will help prepare her and ease your mind.
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