Page 103 - The Ultimate Guidebook for Teens with Food Allergies

Sydney H. - Since my parents know I am getting older, and that I am responsible, they only ask every once in a while if I am going away for the weekend or to somewhere where there is a lot of food! Carrying my auto-injector has just become a part of my day-to-day routine!
How do you feel when your parents second-guess how responsible you are for your allergies?
Chelsea - I used to not be able to trust myself to ask the right questions when trying to advocate for myself—it caused a lot of anxiety. As I got older, my parents just learned to trust me and I learned to trust myself. It takes practice to know which questions to ask. And your parents are there to help you learn them.
Emily Rose - I’m lucky that this doesn’t happen to me—that is a great feeling in itself.
Sydney H. - It can be frustrating when my parents don’t trust me! But, by showing them that I respect that they care and are concerned, they realize that I am responsible and capable of taking care of my allergies.
At what age do you think teens and young adults should be completely independent when managing their allergies?
Chelsea - I feel that teens should be able to be fully responsible for their allergy when they go into high school. At this age, you start to go out with friends alone without parents and you’re expected to be more independent about a lot of other things. It also prepares you for going away to school or moving out. You still have your parents if you need them in high school. But, when you go to university, they might not be as close as before.
Emily Rose - I think 16 or 17. This is because teenagers will be going off to university in two years. The two years gives them the safe space they need to learn and make mistakes.
Sydney H. - I think that all teens should be able to manage their own allergies since a lot of your teenage years are spent going out with your friends. It is, however, still very important to communicate with your parents about how you feel and if you need help with anything. They are there to help and this is great practice for when you go off to college or university.
To wrap it up...
Proving to your parents that you are responsible for managing your allergies yourself involves taking initiative and demonstrating to your parents that you are capable of managing different situations. Initially, it is important to demonstrate your ability to manage your allergies while your parents are