I bought a case of soymilk at Aldi today, as I often do. Ounce for ounce, Aldi soymilk is almost exactly half the price of Silk soymilk where I live. As I was leaving, an older gentleman stopped me to ask question after question after question about my case of soymilk. "What does it taste like? Why do you buy it? Is it good for you? I bet it's low in cholesterol and fat, right? You know, I had a neighbor in Texas who drank soymilk...." This exact same scenario happened the last time I bought a case of soymilk. Today I had an impatient toddler with me and was late for preschool pick up. And yet I COULD NOT not answer him, or just say, "Dude, it's wicked cheap. Go buy a quart and try it for yourself."
I had the same problem at second-grade orientation. I simultaneously resented being introduced as The Allergy Mom (my college friend D. suggests "Allergy B*tch on Wheels" as a more appropriate title) and being asked questions about ALL food allergies ("Are the pretzels I have at home processed in a plant with peanuts?") and yet could not SHUT MY TRAP when other parents were complaining about the new food allergy policies.
OBVIOUSLY, I don't mind talking about food allergy issues. I want our local stores to keep carrying dairy-free items, so the more people who buy them the better the chances of that happening. I want other parents to understand my daughter's situation. But I'd also like to go pick up a carton of soy yogurt and not have the lady in line behind me and the teenage checkout person play Twenty Questions with me about it.
I don't even know what my point is. Do you feel like the spokesperson for an issue? How do you handle it? Maybe I should start wearing a lapel pin:
I drink soymilk and you should, too! If you want! Or don't! Whatev! I gotta go.
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Try wearing headphones at the grocery store. Even if they're not plugged in to anything people probably won't try to talk to you.... :)
ReplyDeleteWhile having to cart around my breastpump to go on my breaks at work, I became the unwilling spokesperson for nursing. I didn't mind so much--USUALLY. But yes, there were days where I felt like wearing a giant button that said things like, "YES, I AM *STILL* NURSING. SERIOUSLY, YOU PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO THE SAME HEALTH GUIDELINES I DO. I AM NOT A FREAK. YES, IT'S SUPRISINGLY EASY--TO *ME*--I'M SORRY IF IT DIDN'T APPEAR THAT WAY OR WORK OUT FOR YOU OR YOUR SISTER OR YOUR AUNT OR SECOND COUSIN. I DON'T THINK I'M ANY BETTER THAN YOU, I SWEAR. HERE IS THE LLL HOTLINE." It probably would have been entirely tooooo snarky to have one that said, "DID YOU EVEN *TRY* IT?" (Despite my annoyance at SOME of the comments, I tried to respect the fact that yes, it just didn't work out for some folks. Others.... *sigh*)
ReplyDeleteP.S. My children, husband, and I love soy milk--and we don't even have a food allergy. We buy it for a treat!
P.P.S. Both schools my kids have gone to had allergy guidelines already set in place--it's all old hat now. I guess I missed the ol' broo-haa-haa when they were first set up.
B/c of my blog now I'm like master chef and master allergy girl. I have relatives crawling out of the woodwork to ask me about recipes I've never heard of, or ask me about random allergies I have no experience w/.
ReplyDeleteJ also gets this, but in technical form. B/c he's a web developer (programmer) every person w/in a 3,000 mile radius calls us for ANY. problem. He had a friend call and leave a message to have him help set up his new phone. Yes, he's technically inclined, but why should he spend hours a day helping everybody and their brother w/ random electronics?
I feel the same way sometimes. It depends on my mood, the amount of time I have, and the feeling I get from the inquisiitve person weather I answer a lot or a little.
ReplyDeleteIn the grocery store I am guilty of answering a lot when it might involve people buying the coconut milk yogurt or ice cream or some product I fear the store won't sell anymore if people don't buy it. But those people in the health food section starring at the natural and allergen free products want to hear about it and are open to what I say. So that is easy.
I get you on the extended nursing to CA Quincy! Did that explaining too. It still amazes me that the general population does not "get" the value of extended breastfeeding. That they think its more healthy to ply kids with cow milk than human mama milk - crazy!
I often get asked questions about adoption with a smattering of food allergy questions tossed in.
ReplyDeleteWhere are all the questions about fashion or what's the hottest restaurant in the area? Oh wait, I'm not buying stylish new clothes and don't hit the top restaurants...
I had a similar incident with Oh Natural meatless ground "burger".
ReplyDeletePerson: So what vegetables are included in it?
Me: Well, it's actually a soy product.
Person: But it's vegetarian. What vegetables are in it?
But mostly people don't ask me many questions about anything. Perhaps I just look too uninformed?
I DO feel like I am a spokesperson for food allergies. So many people don't have clue about it. And, it is hard to answer questions with your 4 year old and 2 year old in tow (and a 6 year old and 8 year old). I try to handling it as gracefully as I can. People will ask me how we found out about his allergy when my 2 year old is crying. That's just not a short story. I also try to remember that some people just won't ever get it. You know, like the guy that offered my kids snickers after I told him my son couldn't have any food because there was an open bag of peanuts and he was allergic to peanuts. Maybe I could have educated him more, but my kids didn't allow me the time.
ReplyDeleteI'd like a similar button... course, I can't think of a short slogan. "We don't eat nuts. My son can't have your food unless I check the labels. Sorry but not sorry."
I'm betting it was just one of those days where you wanted to get in and get out and not have the endless small talk chat. I somehow ended up being unofficial spokeswoman for the Coconut milk yogurt. The cashiers always ask me how it tastes and I end up chatting on about how awesome it is in baked goods.
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny and so true! I feel like I'm a walking food allergy encyclopedia sometimes. :)
ReplyDeleteHa ha, funny experiences there. I think people are just curious about anything slightly different. I always use reusable shopping bags. I get into conversations about those all the time.
ReplyDeleteI can never speak the appropriate amount about any topic. I either have NOTHING at all to say or I cannot shut up. Either way, as I walk away I always wonder what those people now think is wrong with me. :)
ReplyDeletelmao. I love the idea for the button/t-shirt thing. THat is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteLife often hands us a role we never expected to fulfill...like allergy moms! I never wanted to be a "food cop", but I was unexpectedly inducted to the role a few weeks ago. As tiring as it can be, I think we are setting good examples for our kids...be knowledgeable, be patient, perservere, help others...those are all good things and your kiddos got to see that in action at Aldi's. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has Celiac Disease, and I often write about it. I'm glad that you're bringing attention to these serious issues that our kids are dealing with, and what effects it has on the rest of the family. I'll keep an eye on your site!
ReplyDelete-Fae
i don't understand why some people feel the need to ask about what you buy...I think soy milk is a great alternative, maybe even better (extra fiber!)
ReplyDeleteHee hee, I like your lapel pin!
ReplyDeleteHahaha, I had to chuckle at this, though I understand your frustration..you just write so humorously!
ReplyDeleteLook on the bright side: people ask you questions because you are the most knowledgeable...there are too many ignorant people out there, and the more the word gets out (through you at first), the less you'll have to answer to such basic questions in the future...but still, I guess it's the cross you have to bear, but know that many people will certainly appreciate it! :-)
I used to be the spokesperson for cloth diapering, but not so much now that my youngest has been out of diapers almost 2 years!
ReplyDeleteyou are totally cracking me up over here!!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! Thank you for bringing some humor (especially dark humor) to the crazy world of parenting a kid with allergies! My writing partner and I started a blog a couple of months ago. All of our recipes are vegan, allergen- and gluten-free. Please check it out if you're browsing around the web looking for some more ideas. We're at www.welcomingkitchen.blogspot.com.
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