Tips & Stories
- Listen and be empathetic. Do not dismiss their feelings or minimize what they are experiencing. What your child is feeling is very real and frightening and they are looking to you for unconditional support.
- Empower them with knowledge. At an age appropriate time, explain to your child how an allergic reaction occurs. Let your food allergic child know that it’s safe to be near a person eating a problem food provided that they do not share the food or utensils.
- Suggest your child keep a journal. By writing down their worries or concerns, you can better understand firsthand what they’re feeling. Review it together and try to problem solve solutions. A worry is about something that may not happen. For these worries, you can try to teach your child relaxation techniques and positive self-messages.
