Grain-Free Toddler | Common Phrases and Truths
Tom is now a toddler with lightening-fast grabbing hands.
When Tom was diagnosed, he could barely walk and his reflexes were slow.
November 2023
“Oh, don’t worry about it”, a phrase I eagerly used around others who generously placed bowls of snacks on the table. (Convincing myself I was the cool allergy Mom)
“Just leave the food there, he won’t get at it.”, making me feel like the chilled out Mom I want to be.
“Oh, it’s not too bad because I choose what he eats for now.” Casually pushing away the truth of it being quite inconvenient.
January 2024 - Onward
“Thanks for the invite, we’d love to attend!” An enthusiastic acceptance and grateful heart that we were included.
“Please don’t cater for Tom and I, I’ll be packing our food.” An awkward heads-up.
“Sorry Buddy, you can’t eat that, let’s put that back on the snack table”, as I carry my angry toddler away and distract him with the jumping castle.
“Ouch! Got you. Give that to me, you can’t have it”, groaned as I stub my toe lurching forward around a coffee table strewn with soggy rusks other kids have left lying around.
“Oh my goodness you are determined”, amused and surprised as I tackle my toddler on a field after he has enthusiastically (read: savagely) grabbed corn curls and stuffed them in his mouth.
“Um, is Tom allowed this? I’m not sure.” a kind onlooker calling my attention as Tom ploughs through something from a snack bowl I hadn’t seen.
“I’m sorry, Buddy, let’s find you some grapes”, digging in my snack box while other kids feast on potato chips.
“No, no, no, this is your food”, as a grubby hand reaches across our plastic kids table to steal some of his brother’s food.
“Doesn’t toothpaste have gluten in it?”, my husband hollers from the bathroom, after discussing how we need to start brushing Tom’s teeth.
“Come around for takeaways tonight.” Old thought patterns ignite a sense of excitement, only to die swiftly as I pack leftovers for Tom and I. But also, it’s nice to be invited.
“Can you get me a sachet of Movicol while you’re in the bedroom?” Unknown contamination, uncomfortably constipated toddler, mentally listing all he has eaten in the past 24 hours.
“Sore. Ouchie, sore”, as Tom points to his tummy and cramps.
“I don’t want to eat Tom’s pasta, Mom. It’s gross,” from our honest 5-year-old.