Grandma doesn't understand food allergies... Help!!

3 replies [Last post]
Sun, 06/19/2011 - 10:47
lelandclark
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User offline. Last seen 48 weeks 11 hours ago. Offline
Joined: 06/19/2011

My mother-in-law just does not get it when it comes to my son's allergies. He is 1 1/2 years old and allergic to peanuts, milk, beef, and peas. So far his worst reaction has been breaking out all over in hives and throwing up all over the place (this is what prompted us to have him tested).

Anyway, my mother-in-law is constantly arguing with us to give him foods while out at restaurants, weddings, etc. We say no because of not seeing ingredients, shared equipment, cross-contamination issues. She gets angry and argues with us. She accuses us of being over-protective and says that if we don't expose him to the stuff he is allergic to on a regular basis, he'll never get over his allergies.

I've tried discussing the issue with her, but she is stubborn and frankly not very bright so she has trouble really understanding things.

Does anyone know of a good book or article or such that can explain these food allergy issues to the older generations so that they get it? Apparently showing her his test results and her seeing him get hives on his face is not enough. I hate to isolate her from my son's life, but I may be forced to. Any suggestions?

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Tue, 06/21/2011 - 09:14
#1
EEH
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Joined: 01/16/2011

Unfortunately, I don't have a good recommendation for a book. However, we have had similar problems in out family with certain people not "getting it". (I also have a 1.5 year old son with severe PA & mild egg allergies.) What I found worked was playing the doctor card. As in "You can not give that to him b/c his doctor said so." For some reason, people who thought they didn't have to listen to me, were OK with following directions if they came from a doctor. Annoying for sure, but it has made family get-togethers safer for my son. Good luck!

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Tue, 06/21/2011 - 15:36
#2
lelandclark
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User offline. Last seen 48 weeks 11 hours ago. Offline
Joined: 06/19/2011

Thanks for the suggestion. My wife does that to me all the time. She will not listen to my opinion, but if a doctor says it, it is the gospel.

I actually went ahead and scheduled a check up with my son's allergist and I am trying to convince my mother-in-law to come along. The doctor is in his 70s, so if she will listen to anyone, it would be him.

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Fri, 06/24/2011 - 01:09
#3
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