This is a hot topic right now in my household: how to stay included while including others for Halloween. Since this is the one day of out of the year that can deliver true danger to our food allergy community, we focus on inclusion and safety. Since inclusion is key I want to bring up my Dear Teacher of My Food Allergic Child post that detailed how students are excluded and provided suggestions of how to include them. Have you discussed how Halloween will be handled in your child’s classroom, after school sports, church or synagogue? If not, this is the time!
I purchased fabulous nose pencil sharpeners months ago and am ready to go! Unfortunately, it just so happens that Nevada day lands on October 31st! Nevada turns 150 years old this year and my child’s school will not be hosting any Halloween celebrations and will instead host an exciting 150 Birthday celebration of our state’s history. So much for my brilliant idea!? The school plans on serving special cupcakes. I’ve contacted the school to ask how they will include all of the children with food allergies. The organizer was very receptive and is working out how to include these children. I will follow up and offer to help keep our kids included and hope that we’ll find a reasonable solution.
Do you feel ready for Halloween? How do you keep your child INCLUDED and food allergy safe on Halloween Evening?
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..