I am sure that at some point we have all wondered, “what What is the deal with all of these kids being allergic

to peanuts and nuts?” After all, most of us grew up eating peanut butter and jelly without any problems or

concerns, but something has changed. It is reported that one 1 and in 12 American children has a food

allergy. The Journal of Pediatrics conducted a study which that showed that the prevalence among food-

allergic children was highest for peanut, followed by

milkpeanuts are the most likely food to cause an allergic reaction among children with food allergies,

followed by milk.

I am a parent just like most of you,; Tthe only difference is that my child has a food allergy. He appears to be

like any other happy and healthy child, but he is different. He has a life- threatening allergy to peanuts and

some tree -nuts. Yes, I am saying that he can could die from this allergy, which is something that frightens the

heck out of me every day. A lot of people don’t take food allergies seriously. It isn’t a fad, nor is it or

exaggerated;, it is a very real problem, and children have died from simply simply from eating foods that

others eat every day.

When my son was first diagnosed, I knew nothing about peanut and tree -nut allergies, or

Epi-Pens for that matter. I only knew that having this allergy wasn’t a good thing and that I had a lot to

learn. Throughout this entire learning process, I found out how easyily it is to spread peanut oils and-- simply

touching a peanut- allergic child with a small amount of peanut oil on your hands, can send them to the

emergency room. I never knew that there could beare trace amounts of peanuts and nuts in many of the store

bought foods. Some people think that if a peanut or a nut isn’t visually present, then it is safe for a peanut or

nut- allergic child to eat it. This is not the case. Those little peanuts and nuts hide in all kinds of foods, and

even a tiny trace amount can harm a child. I also learned how uncomfortable play- dates, holidays, and

birthday parties can be when food is involved.

Some parents of non-food allergic childrenchildren without food allergies do not want to hear or understand

your reasons for not eating their foods or treats. They are not veryso understanding or willing to

accommodate your child’s allergy. For example, ask a person to give up peanut butter for a couple of hours a

day and there just may be uproar in the community. I used to love peanut butter, and I also grew up eating

peanuts and nuts. It wasNuts were always a holiday staple in our family, but this has now become a small

sacrifice for my family. The love of an innocent child out weighs outweighs this sacrifice on so many levels.

Shortly after I wrapped my head around all of these new things in my family’s life, I decided to reach out to

others in my same situation. I started a moms group in Michigan for moms who have children allergic to

peanuts and tree-nutswith peanut and tree nut allergies. It started off slow, but I am happy to say that the

group has blossomed into so much more than I had ever expected. We now have a main website with helpful

information for families of dealing with food allergies; we are on Facebook and Twitter with over 300

followers; and we now have playgroups for all ages in Michigan, California, Illinois, and here in Colorado

Springs. I now know that you do not have to feel alone and that there are many mothers out there just like

me.

If you are a working mom, or a stay- at- home mother with a child who has a peanut or a nut allergy, please

join us. Our No Nuts Moms Group will meetmeets up for indoor and outdoor play dates. We also have adult-

only outings and are open to any other suggestions. This is a chance for you and your child to develop a

lifelong friendships with someone you both can relate topeople to whom you can both relate.

Comment [TW1]: Link to study? citation?

Comment [TW2]: This assumption could alienate your audience.