On the journey with food allergies, parenting contributor Megan Lavin knows how valuable it is to have friends who have your back.
At Allergic Living, we’ve said that it takes a village to raise and support a child with food allergies. Megan believes this also holds true for the allergy parent.
In this episode of the Megan’s Minute video series, she identifies four quite different types of friends who’ve made her journey easier.
The first, is the fellow allergy mom who’s right there in the trenches with you. Megan shares about a conversation she recently had with a good friend in another state. Both have boys with multiple food allergies on sports teams. Their conversation turned to team dinners and how to set boundaries to keep their kids safe.
Megan felt rejuvenated by the chat. “We were able to reassure each other, share ideas, and feel a little less alone. Sometimes, you just need someone who understands exactly what you are doing as they’re navigating it, too,” she recounts in the video.
Not Just the Allergy Friend
But what’s fascinating is Megan’s experience with other types of friends as well. For instance, dear friends who don’t live with food allergies themselves, and may sometimes not grasp a food allergy need or practice.
“When someone who loves my son doesn’t immediately understand something related to his food needs, it reminds me – other people might need more explanation, too,” she says.
Plus, she discusses the close friend who knows how to listen and let you vent. That’s especially important in circumstances when you or your child feel left out. She also relates the invaluable teachings she’s had from another friend group: allergy moms older than her. And how they passed along their wisdom.
There is much to be said for finding your crew of supportive, non-judgmental people.
If you haven’t found your people, Megan offers encouraging words that you can. She advises “being the kind of friend you hope to find. I do believe that light attracts light.”
We hope you enjoy her inspiring video, and most appreciate if you’d share it – to help more allergy parents.
Join Allergic Living monthly for a new installment of Megan’s Minute with Megan Lavin, the creator of the Allergy Awesomeness blog. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
More Megan’s Minute Videos:
Visiting Relatives, It’s a Balancing Act
Easy, Allergy-Friendly Sweet Potato Casserole
Megan’s Top Kitchen Gadgets for Allergy-Aware Cooking
How to Stay at a VRBO and Have Great, Safe Food
My Allergy Family’s Trip to Universal: the Good and Bad
Our First Cruise with Food Allergies Was a Hit!
My Near-Fail with Food Allergies on Soccer Trip
Allergic Son’s Team at a Questionable Restaurant
