Constance, I never realized how much American culture centers socialization on food until I had a child with severe peanut and tree nut allergies. We have fought long and hard to rethink food as nourishment, not entertainment, and our daughter has grown to see food in this way. When we visit others, we choose not to eat, to arrive after people eat (or to leave before food is served), or to bring our daughter her own food. When we entertain and decide to include food, we provide all food and...

Originally Posted by Dana CLU: I have sat in a kitchen where my own father opened a jar of peanut butter, and I found this to be a teachable moment for my child since my dad represented someone who forgets, is ignorant, or simply doesn't care. I find that when people do not respond favorably, I compare my daughter's allergies to a bee sting allergy. I tell people that they wouldn't dream of placing a bee's nest next to a child with a severe bee sting allergy, so I ask them why they think it...