First Issue at a Family Function

Jen748

My family has been great about this whole peanut allergy/tree nut avoiding thing since we found out a few months ago. Everyone has gone above and beyond at family functions - so nice!

Yesterday we are at my Aunt and Uncle's for their birthday family get together. Well, my Aunt's new BIL was there and opened a container of pretzel's my Aunt had sitting on a countertop. They were not part of the food being served but when my Aunt saw her BIL eating them she poured some into a bowl for him. They were peanut butter pretzels.

Luckily, my Grandpa noticed them almost right away and brought them to my Mom's attention who brought them to my Aunt's attention. They put them away and told her BIL he couldn't eat them.

Sammie hadn't eaten any, nor had she gotten near anyone who had but it was one of those make me want to cry moments for the what could have happened. Then my aunt had bought an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins - we left when they served cake since Sammie couldn't have any and she was needing to go home anyway (small house, hardly any toddler toys - toddler meltdowns!) but my Aunt kept saying she felt bad. She bought that cake because it didn't have any peanuts in it or on it. I felt awful telling her that we appreciated it so much but the whole cross contamination thing. Then she offered me some cake from a wedding they helped set up for the day before. She said - it was homemade and doesn't have nuts. My mom explained after we left that even many homemade things could cross contaminate depending on the icing and what was in the cake.

The whole experience wasn't a huge deal - Sammie never had a reaction or got exposed but it was a reminder of how easy it is to overlook something if you aren't careful. It really is constant, isn't it?

magdusia

You're very lucky that most of your family is caring and understanding. I had to leave family parties where my son had severe skin issues from the party and everyone still rolled their eyes at me.  Sucks that there was even a bag with peanut pretzels in the house. But thankfully it was noticed and removed imminently.

Last family event they had a peanut cake. I left and that was the last time we will ever go to that house again. sucks b/c most of the gatherings are there.

you're right... it's amazing how easily it is to overlook things. Be very thankful your family is looking out for your child's well being like this. My IL's opened up a PBJ sandwich early this year in my house. i almost lost it. 

Jen748

magdusia:

You're very lucky that most of your family is caring and understanding. I had to leave family parties where my son had severe skin issues from the party and everyone still rolled their eyes at me.  Sucks that there was even a bag with peanut pretzels in the house. But thankfully it was noticed and removed imminently.

Last family event they had a peanut cake. I left and that was the last time we will ever go to that house again. sucks b/c most of the gatherings are there.

you're right... it's amazing how easily it is to overlook things. Be very thankful your family is looking out for your child's well being like this. My IL's opened up a PBJ sandwich early this year in my house. i almost lost it. 

We  are so very lucky they are so great. It helps that my brother had allergies when he was younger (grew out of them) so they were well versed in understanding work arounds.

DandelionMom

A supportive family is so helpful!  I bet they'll get even better over time.  But yes, it is constant and can be exhausting.