Fathers Day Weekend: Trials & Triumphs of a Peanut Allergy Dad

Being the daddy of a 4 year old little girl with a severe peanut allergy that's a topic that I throw into the mix when it comes to the things I post about on this blog. I'm honored that the national food allergy advocacy group FARE selected me to be the featured DAD on their special Fathers Day Weekend Blog post this year.  Here's a tidbit from the article:

What advice would you give to other dads with kids who have food allergies?
Speak up! Most people don’t understand the seriousness and complexity of severe food allergies. I have to say that I was clueless myself until our family was impacted. You need to be your child’s most vigilant advocate by educating everyone and being willing to say no to others when it presents a risk to your child. It’s not easy or comfortable having to constantly speak up to a teacher or other parents to require and enforce rules that safeguard your child, but if you don’t do it, no else is likely to stand up for you.

Food allergies don’t make life worse, they just make it different. We actually eat healthier now because we have more of a focus on our diet. Help your family make the best of the situation!

Studies show that moms and dads react differently to food allergies in their families.  In your experience is that the case?
My wife is definitely more active in researching information concerning my daughter’s food allergy than me. She is also more protective when it comes to restricting my daughter’s activities to limit her exposure to potentially dangerous situations. I don’t want my daughter to grow up in fear of her allergy, so I am more open to allowing her to go places and try things, as long as we take precautions to be safe.  I believe my wife and I do a nice job of balancing each other’s tendencies so that my daughter can experience a childhood that is both fun and safe.

To read the full blog post visit:  http://blog.foodallergy.org/2013/06/14/trials-and-triumphs-of-a-peanut-allergy-dad/

Also, here are a few of my past peanut allergy posts from A Geek Daddy:

YES, I AM THAT DAD!!!

BEST PEANUT ALLERGY FRIENDLY TEAMS IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 

THE SCARIEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE