by Deidra Romero posted in Parenting

Being a mom to a kid with food allergies is like living a double life. On the surface you are normal (nothing to see here, folks), but a deeper look will reveal a mom who is constantly double-checking ingredients, packing allergy medications, booking extra doctor?s visits, and carving out time to discuss contaminants with childcare providers.
Here are 20 things only allergy moms understand.

You discreetly inspect other kids? snacks at the park and play dates for possible contaminants.

You remember that first allergic reaction like it was yesterday.

You can recognize the signs of a reaction almost the second it begins.

You count days since the last reaction like you are in AA.

You get frustrated when people underestimate their allergy.
You get frustrated when people overestimate their allergy.

You have to make announcements at family gatherings about hand washing and which dishes have contaminants.

You have to allow an extra few minutes to explain the allergy and treatments to new sitters and teachers.

You have a printed action plan posted somewhere in your house.

You are amazed at how easily family members and friends forget about your kid?s allergies. (Don't they understand how serious this can be")

You hate that feeling of having to deprive your kids of something they want to taste or try.

You?ve had to train your child on how to talk about their allergy so other people can understand what?s safe for the...