Guilt

I think that is a perfectly normal feeling for a caring, compationate Mom to have. The fact is too that we should have a part of us that thinks of our kid's safety first, before our own needs.

This may be inflammatory, but I don't feel the same way. Sorry, life deals all of us things that aren't fair. Learning how to deal with them is what makes us resilient adults. That doesn't mean I am going to deliberately eat things that may put my child in danger, but it also doesn't mean that he can't/won't learn to accept the differences.

Elizabeth, I totally feel the same way!!! I won't eat anything that my son can't and I LOVED peanuts. I have no food allergies, but it makes me feel better and prevents any anxiety this way. Now my husband on the other hand does outside of our home and I am fine with that. I totally don’t think you are crazy, just being a cautious Mom.

I can relate a little bit. I feel bad that my kid who doesn't have any allergies, has to eat so many allergy free foods at home. She begs me to make her peanut butter sandwhiches like the other kids because she doesn't like almond butter, but I can't without getting really sick. Aside from that, she confesses to eating things I can't have, when I'm not around, and says she feels bad that I can't eat them. I'm glad you brought this up, because I don't know what a healthy perspective to share on this is. I appreciate that she's so thoughtful, but at the same time, there is a definate fear factor being shared :(

Thanks for the thoughtful responses. People around the office sometimes look at me funny when I decline a snack in the office I know would be harmful for my son (would never bring harmful in the house or around him, of course). The only way I can explain is that I feel a connection to him. Not that he won't learn to accept the differences, just that I think about him, and it's how I feel. I don't mean to suggest anyone with a PA family member who eats peanuts like crazy outside the house is insensitive/bad person, whatever, it's just me. There's someone in the office with a PA son who says he enjoys snacking in the office on things he can't eat at home, and I think that's a healthy attitude, too.

Honestly, though, guilt has made me decline numerous cookies, brownies, etc. that people bring into work, which isn't entirely a bad thing :)