Offers Of Food

[Mother of Jibril]

Yesterday I had my son at the pediatrician's office for his one-year check-up While we were waiting, another mom started feeding her kids "toddler biscuits." Of course, my son... who wants to try everything I'm eating... was immediately interested. The mom asked if she could give him one. OMG!! A toddler biscuit could set us back for two weeks I said, "Sorry... our family has a lot of problems with food allergies."

Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to decline food in a polite, but firm way? It's going to be warm soon... I need to have my catch phrase ready for playtime at the park

[MarsupialMama]

Oh wow - be glad she asked! I had a friend hand over a bread roll to my child WITHOUT asking. This will put us back for a month! I think I've said something along the lines of "Thank you, but unfortunately she is VERY sensitive to certain food ingredients and we have to be sooooo careful with her." Most people won't sit and argue with you if they think your child will get sick because of them handing over food - especially in front of you. If they inquire further, and I feel like it, sometimes I will elaborate on more of our story, but that will usually suffice. If I add anything, it is gently but definitely "this is the deal, these are the facts". We've had too much at stake and too much heartache over this for her to be intentionally glutened or allowed to cheat.

[tarnalberry]

I think what you did was perfect!

[Kibbie]

Yesterday I had my son at the pediatrician's office for his one-year check-up While we were waiting, another mom started feeding her kids "toddler biscuits." Of course, my son... who wants to try everything I'm eating... was immediately interested. The mom asked if she could give him one. OMG!! A toddler biscuit could set us back for two weeks I said, "Sorry... our family has a lot of problems with food allergies."

Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to decline food in a polite, but firm way? It's going to be warm soon... I need to have my catch phrase ready for playtime at the park

You know I do exactly what you did... I say "No thanks, my daughter can't eat gluten." Sometimes it leads to a conversation bout Celiac and some times it doesnt

[jmjsmomma]

I think you handled it beautifully!

[Mother of Jibril]

Oh wow - be glad she asked!

Really!!

Thanks for your positive replies. I guess "food allergies" are a good, quick explanation. I'll have to get used to the awkward silence that follows these encounters

[sugarsue]

Really!!

Thanks for your positive replies. I guess "food allergies" are a good, quick explanation. I'll have to get used to the awkward silence that follows these encounters

I think you did great too! I just say "Oh, thanks for asking! We are really allergic to wheat and can't eat it". I find that people understand "allergic to wheat" pretty well and that usually does it. I always love it when it gets into a gluten conversation. I love talking about gluten and it's evil ways , LOL.