About a year ago, Tyler got "too big" to fit in the grocery cart while I was grocery shopping. He was taking up valuable space in the cart since my younger child has dibs on the top seat with the belt. (If you knew Dylan, you would understand!)That day I realized riding around in the grocery cart would no longer work, I let him out in the produce department. At first I was worried he would run away. Then my fears became much greater. I realized there was a bulk bin of peanuts easily within his reach. He was nearly three and saying things like "Don't touch" meant the exact opposite will happen.
I will never forget that day in the store. I never realized how many peanuts there were lurking around each corner. Just when I thought we were nearly safe, we got in line to pay. It was a peanut party! Reeses peanut butter cups, Snickers, and Butterfingers all seemed to call for his fingers to reach out and touch them. I felt like I needed counseling after I left the store!
Over the last year, however, I decided education was key. No other place would there be so many peanut products around for me to use as teaching aids. Little by little I showed him one or two things that had peanuts in it. Once I knew he knew those products, I added a couple more. Soon, when he saw things like the M&M's logo, he would yell "Peanuts!" He did this, not in fear, but just reminding me (and hopefully himself!) that certain things are just "Don't touch" items.
Today, now that Tyler is 4, he understand his allergy much better. He also knows that anything with Mr. Peanut is off limits. He recognizes a vast majority of the peanut candies that are at the checkout line. He also knows he must ask me before he touches anything at the store, particularly if it is candy. He even knows what an actual peanut (shell or no shell) looks like.
Since we are not big on candy around here anyway (allergy or no allergy, its just not healthy!), I sometimes chuckle at the fact that Tyler knows more candy that has peanuts than that without.
Instead of the grocery store being a scary place, it has become a place of education for us.
(As I wrote this post, Tyler was standing over my shoulder. When he saw the picture of the Snickers bar, he said, "Look Mommy! Peanuts!)
2 comments:
I was just thinking about this as my son is about to the age where it is nearly impossible to keep him in the cart. Where we shop, they also have an open bin with peanuts. Do you worry about the peanut dust being on other items nearby?
Caron
I can so relate to this post!! K in NC
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