A Different Look at Travel and Food Allergies

I have shared my insights about traveling with children and food allergies, but I have not yet shared my insights of traveling without my children.  Leaving your children behind in the care of someone else is never easy for a parent, but for a parent of a child with food allergies, it adds another layer of complexity.   Sure, I will worry about if they are polite and good, or if they brush their teeth and comb their hair, or if they show up to soccer in the wrong uniform.  But what if they eat something that makes them sick…really sick.  Oh yeah, that.

Well, I can’t worry about that too much.  If I did, I would never send him to school or let him leave my side.  What I can do is prepare and educate my children and their caregivers. 

Beyond the extra pairs of underwear, toothbrushes, and favorite books, I have packed every imaginable food and medication that my son might need. 

Here is a list:

Extra Epi-Pen:  My husband and I have been limping along with one epi-pen that we swap between the two of us, but this trip highlighted the need for an extra pen.  One for each set of grandparents.

The Med Bag:  Benadryl, children’s pain relievers, allergy medication, asthma inhalers.

Breakfast: Freshly baked allergy friendly, Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins and single serving containers of coconut yogurt.

Lunch:  I didn’t go so far as to make lunches, but I have a care package of lunch items. 

Dinner:  I made reservations for dinner for my husband and I and I also have some easy dinners packed for my son.  Black Bean Soup Kit (boxed black bean soup, can of corn, and a can of black beans) and a Bean Nacho Kit (allergy friendly refried beans, tortilla chips, and dairy free cheese).

Snacks: Lays, Enjoy Life Chocolate Bars, GF pretzels, cookies.

Dairy Free Section:  milk, butter, cheese, and ice cream.

Lunch Box: They will be out and about for soccer and having his food packed in the manner that it is packed for him at school helps to decrease his anxiety. 

Toiletries:  Lotion and shampoo can have food based ingredients, so my son always has a bag of items that are safe for him to use.

I have yet to pack for myself for a trip that I am taking in less than 12 hours, but my children are ready for the long weekend with their grandparents.  Some might say that a weekend away for a married couple is a carefree getaway from the everyday details of family life.  Getting away is all about the details and I know that we will have a wonderful time.  I have my wonderful children and their grandparents to thank for knowing how to make good choices and being prepared to handle any situation.