Happy October! With the change in the leaves, cooler weather and the kids back in school it can only mean one thing – Halloween is near! For most kids Halloween is all about picking the perfect costume and thinking about all the CANDY they will be getting while trick or treating.
I know trick or treating might look different this year, or not even happening depending on where you live, but I *think* it’s still going to happen in our neighborhood.
This time of year has always posed to be challenging for food allergy families. In year’s past we’ve mostly been able to keep Jonathan away from it all because he didn’t know any better. He did have a short lived tantrum last year when I wouldn’t let him have any candy. In fairness, I didn’t let him have any candy because of his age and not because of his food allergies.
Fast forward to this year and Jonathan is now three and fully aware of other kid’s ability to have candy. He’s started to ask for various things at the store and ask for candy if Clara is able to have some. For these reasons and for safety, we’ve switched any candy we get to be safe for him. We don’t need someone accidently giving him the wrong candy or him getting into it himself. He’s become very mischievous these days.
With this safety in mind we are once again participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project this year. What is the Teal Pumpkin Project you ask? It’s a way to raise food allergy awareness and offer non-food items to kids so Halloween can be safe for everyone. It means including all children and not making those with food allergies feel left out. You simply place a teal pumpkin outside your home to let others know you are offering safe alternatives. Many retailers are now selling teal pumpkins for this very use, but you can also easily paint your own pumpkin teal. I painted our teal pumpkin years ago, before they were widely available. I think I’ve been using our pumpkin for more than five years.
It’s very important if you are offering non-safe food items that you separate the items into two bowls. Some people with food allergies are severely allergic and they can have an allergic reaction just by contacting their allergens.
What are some non-food item ideas you can offer instead? I like to offer pencils, tattoos, stickers, erasers, etc. I usually get our items from the dollar store or the dollar spot at Target. Here’s a snapshot of some of the items we’ll be offering this year. The best part about these items is if I have items leftover I can just save them for next year! Every year I’m surprised how many kids actually pick these items over candy.
I hope you’ll consider participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project this year. If you do make sure to send us a picture or tag us on Instagram @ourfamilyhomelife!
