wheat and almond allergy

My 2 yr. old was recently diagnosed with wheat and almond allergies. We ventured out to a restaraunt for the first time since finding out about her allergies. How do I make it clear to people just how serious this is for her? Also the waiter tried to give her animal crackers!! I know he was trying to be nice and he just does not realize. It will definitely be awhile before we venture out to eat again. It was a very frustrating experience for her and me! Also I am trying to switch my other 2 kids (10 and 8) to a diet without wheat and almonds, but it is proving very difficult. It is too hard to explain to a 2 yr. old why she can’t eat what her brother and sister are eating! If anyone has any advice I would LOVE some. I thought I was doing my family a great fabvor with all whole grain breads and pastas and here that is exactly what was making my little one suffer!!

I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time.
I only have one comment. Your other children are old enough to understand how serious this is for their little sister. They’re at a great age to learn that the world doesn’t revolve around them! I’ve read too many stories of families trying to provide two different diets in the same household. I’ve yet to see one in which it worked, at least at first! I do know ONE family personally where it’s working, but only after years of the children learning to consider others before themselves.
This may sound impossible to you (and everybody else), but your older children learning this valuable lesson NOW will make them better human beings later on.
My advise…provide only one diet in your home, the one which fits your 2 yr old and let everybody else grow up.

Thank you so much for the advice. We are working on it and my kids are trying. It’s not a matter of them being self centered by any means. It’s more that we are learning together what foods are acceptable and what aren’t. Up until a month ago I didn’t even realize just how much food contains wheat or almonds! They have been good sports at trying the new recipes so far and we have actually found some that they love! Thank you God! I guess I was just a little overwhelmed, as we have never had to deal with anything like this before. We have plenty of allergies in the family but until now no food allergies. I definitely agree with you that this will make them better [people, and it does not sound impossible to me. In defense of my kids they have been through quite a lot in their lives, so I hope I did not come across as having thoughtless uncaring self centered children because that couldn’t be further from the truth. though like the rest of us there is plenty of room for improvement. Thanks again.

I’m glad things are better than I thought. When you described your situation, I pictured a family I know which has awful, selfish kids and LOTS of problems! I have no doubt your family will be fine. Things WILL become easier, even ‘old hat’. ;-)