My four-year old is a better food label reader than my husband. #WTH!

I love my husband. Believe it or not, I knew he was THE ONE by our third date. 15 years later, he remains my best friend. An amazing father to our three children. My partner in every possible way. My saving grace.

EXCEPT when it comes to reading food labels. UGHHH!

So I need to know, Allergy Moms, am I the only one whose four-year-old child is a better food label reader than their husband?? I don’t know whether this is just a male thing (okay, I’m actually convinced this IS the reason and am looking for some confirmation here), because whatever it is, it just seems like moms adapt to being allergy protectors fast and furiously while men… well, let’s just say that they don’t seem to have the same killer instinct that moms have!

Let me give you an example. Not too long ago, my husband brought home some specialty chocolate bars. Now, I am a deep, DEEP lover of chocolate, as is everyone in my family, so he proudly presented the bars to me and the kids. As much as I appreciate the gesture, my first instinct is to snatch them before anyone else to get a good look at the label. And what do I see clear as day?

Contains: Tree nuts.

NO, not “may contain” or “processed in a facility that…” or “this bar may have looked at a tree nut,” but a firm, 100%, DOES INDEED CONTAIN tree nuts.

Unable to contain myself, I looked at him and yelled, “How could you have NOT looked at the label? You have a kid with a severe nut allergy, and this has TREE NUTS!!”

Duh!

I wish I could say that this was our first and only incident, but unfortunately, it has not been. He’s also proudly purchased and brought home granola and snack bars, cereals and various snacks along the way – that my nut-allergic son can’t have.

Then there is my four-year old (with no food allergies or formal training, to boot), who is always quick to ask over everything, “Mommy, does this have any nuts in it? Ben is allergic to nuts.” Did I mention he’s FOUR?!

I will say again that I couldn’t ask for a better husband, and he has brought home many safe snacks in the past. But THIS forgetfulness gets under my skin, even if nothing has happened under his watch. (As we all know, it has happened under mine!)

So I ask my allergy mom peers… is this an issue in your family?
Is Dad’s allergy-safeguarding skills a bit more dull than Mom’s?
Tell me I’m not alone here! And if so, how do you deal with it?

Iris

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