March 8, 2008

Easter eggs and tradition

With Easter coming up, I'm sure we share some of the same feelings when it comes to celebrating Easter with food allergies. I've always wanted to pass on to my children my own childhood tradition of coloring and decorating Easter eggs. But with two children allergic to eggs, I've had to do some revising. When they were younger, I found cloth eggs with picture outlines on them that they could color. It was fun and safe and we could get them out year after year.

Now that my children are getting older, the ones without food allergies see the egg decorating kits in the stores and really want to try it out. I'm back to the same old question, how do I provide my children with the opportunity to (fill in the blank here) at the same time keeping them safe? And if it isn't really safe for my children with food allergies, do I allow my other children the opportunity or do we just skip it completely?

Last year I bought some ceramic eggs that my children will be painting this week. I also bought an Easter egg decorating kit from the grocery store at the persistence of my non-food allergic child. I will let all of my kids join in this activity. I figure if my daughters aren't touching the eggs but only dipping them in the dye, things should be safe. I already know that my one daughter who is allergic to eggs will feel left out when we bring them out on Easter. This is where I'm torn. I guess there's a life lesson here, enjoy the part of the activities you can do and then move on.

We still plan on celebrating Easter like we've always done, this year we'll just add in one extra activity!

Posted by Ann Marie at 7:45 PM | Comments (0)

March 5, 2008

Alternative Easter egg fun

While browsing the web for Easter egg ideas for those children with food allergies, I came across a pretty cool site. Here are some of the tips they gave for children allergic to eggs but still wanting to enjoy some Easter tradition. (the following is adapted from kidswithfoodallergies.org)


Instead of real eggs, try:

1. Wood Eggs - paint, carve or decorate them with beads and jewels.

2. Plastic Eggs - paint and decorate with stickers.

3. Styrofoam® Eggs - paint or decorate with glitter.

4. Plaster Eggs

You can even find brand new egg cartons for storage at eggcartons.com

Happy decorating!

Posted by Ann Marie at 8:03 PM | Comments (0)