Page 102 - The Ultimate Guidebook for Teens with Food Allergies

What would you say? (Q&A)
Chelsea, Emily Rose, Sydney H.
Do you ever feel that your parents are a little overprotective?
Chelsea - Sometimes I feel like my parents are overprotective. As I got older, I realized that I am scared of more things than I should be. And I know that it is because my parents put very stringent guidelines in place for my allergy when I was younger—I have never stopped using these guidelines. I know now that it is hard being a parent of a child with allergies. You are continuously worrying about whether they are okay or not. It can come off as overprotective. But I realize that it’s just because they want you to be safe.
Emily Rose - With my allergy, no. My parents have always wanted me to be independent and taught me how to be at a young age.
Sydney H. - Sometimes it can feel like my parents are overprotective. But that is just because they care. It can be annoying having your parents always asking if you have your auto-injector or if your friends know about your allergies. They, however, only want what's best. I am happy knowing that my parents care and are concerned for my safety.
How have you convinced your parents that you are ready to take on more responsibility?
Chelsea - I do this by eating before I go out, packing my own snacks, and calling restaurants ahead of time. I have also gone on trips without my parents and reported back the good things that have happened. And, if something wasn’t perfect, I told them how I’d handled it. I’ve found that parents just want you to communicate and that they do not want you to leave them out of things.
Emily Rose - My parents can see how I handle my allergies in places such as a restaurant. So, when I go out alone, they trust me to do the same thing. They trust me enough to know I will not risk my life.
Sydney H. - I have gained trust from my parents by being a self-advocate. They know that I am responsible for my safety and that I can let teachers, friends, co-workers, and restaurant staff know about my allergies.
How often do your parents ask you whether you are carrying your auto-injector?
Chelsea - My parents used to ask me a lot when I was younger. But now they know I don’t go anywhere without it. They trust that I have it. It is there for your safety. And not carrying it with you when you go somewhere could present a real problem if something does happen.
Emily Rose - Never... I start to freak out if I don’t have it. So they don’t bother anymore.