Why Our Home Is Peanut-Free

If you have a child with a peanut allergy, particularly a young one, do you have a peanut-free home?

When my son was diagnosed with a peanut allergy at 13 months, I still allowed there to be a jar of peanut butter far from his reach. I had absolutely no desire to eat it, knowing that it could kill my son. My husband, a lover of PB sandwiches, said he would only eat the sandwiches over the sink while Tyler slept. Still being new the whole PA life, I agreed. As we learned more, however, my husband also lost his taste for PB.

My husband is a pastor and we frequently entertain people in our home. One night a group of friends were coming over to play games after Tyler was in bed. One lady brought a bag of Chex Mix. Since my PA child was in bed and I knew I would dispose of any leftovers, I didn't say anything.

The next day Tyler, 20 months old at the time, brought me something. I nearly fainted when I saw it! In his little hand was a peanut! It had been dropped on the floor and he was (and still is, most days) a very obedient child. He knew he was not to eat things off the floor but to bring them to his mother. So when he saw the peanut, that is what he did.

I was nearly 8 months pregnant and very hormonal. I burst into tears. At my request, my husband began sweeping the tile floor and vacuuming the carpet. I continued to sob until the entire place was spotless. It wasn't until the next day when I had finally settled down that my husband told me while he was cleaning the day before he found another peanut!

After that, we began telling people we were a nut-free home (tree nuts included, just in case). We read ingredients before we allow it into the home. We avoided a potential disaster that day and we don't ever want to have that possibility again. Today our second child is 20 months old and eats whatever he finds on the floor. He gives no thought to handing it to mom like Tyler did. We will have him tested for a peanut allergy soon, even if he tests negative our nut policy will continue.

More than anything, I want Tyler to feel like he has a "safe place" that potential deadly land mines aren't lurking. If home is not a "safe place" for a PA child, where will be?