Food Allergy Adventures: Surviving Birthday Parties

Once a child starts school the party invitations start pouring in.  Bouncy parties, movie parties, amusement park parties, sport parties, art parties, pony parties – the list is endless.  Like every parent, I want my child to have fun and stay safe.  Unlike most other parents, I have to plan ahead to make sure my child doesn’t end up in the E.R.

 I feel it is important for him to take some control of his food allergies.  Ultimately it is his body and he needs to know how to care for it.  At the same time I know that he is just a little boy and all he wants to do is have fun like his friends. I also want to make sure that the hosts don’t feel uncomfortable.  I always worry that people will be so concerned about trying to provide for him that they will think it is easier to leave him out.  I do whatever I can to ensure my son feels like everyone else and nobody else has to put themselves out.

There is one fast food restaurant that makes french fries that are safe for him to eat.  I usually drive through and pick those up on the way and he can eat them while the other children are eating pizza.  If the party is being held in a venue that has a food stand I will call ahead to determine what is safe for him.  If they have food he can eat I usually end up doing a little dance of joy!

When I RSVP I ask the parent what kind of cake will be served and bring a safe version of it with me.  If it’s ice cream I bring non-dairy ice cream sandwiches in a freezer bag and ask the establishment to put it in the freezer.  For a “decorate your own desert” party I bring a safe cupcake with some frosting and candies he can use. 

The goody bags are another issue.  I go through them and immediately pull out whatever he can’t eat.  As long as there is more candy left or some toys he will not complain.  Just in case, I make sure to throw some special candy or gum in my bag before leaving.  I have found that most parents are pretty sensitive to the issue and will avoid putting candy he can’t eat in his bag.  As he has gotten older this has become easier, since he knows what he can and cannot eat.  He also knows that I will always make sure he gets a treat.

A “Wacky Cake” is made without eggs or dairy, which makes it safe for my son to eat.  I use that recipe to make a batch of cupcakes and freeze them, unfrosted, so I have them on hand for birthday parties and school functions.  Otherwise, I get stuck baking and frosting cupcakes late at night when I realize at the last minute that a class party is the next day!