Yes my youngest has a diary intolerance and my eldest has an intolerance for gluten, besides this four of us are vegetarian and the rest are meat eaters. I’m quite used to make adjustments and at this day and age there are so many dietery products on the market that it is not hard at all. I don’t think it’s hard to cater at parties either

Oh i dont blame you for feeling so petrified about it as i wouldnt have a clue how to use one myself or would feel comfortable having to watch and administer something like that as well! It definitely is probably become normal for a lot of people now but i think being open and honest about whether youre comfortable doing so is a good start.

We do not have any intolerances at all in my family. I know that my brother has an allergy to pineapple, but that is the only one that I know of in my whole family. Hosting parties is becoming a nightmare! This year my daughter wanted a mocktails and canapes and one child was gluten free, another wouldn’t eat cheese. Then the gluten free one didn’t even come! I found all the kids at the party were very fussy, even though we served relatively normal finger food. I had heaps left over. Do kids these days just not eat?

Wow – I would have at least offered a briefing on how to use the Epi pen. Mind you, they make it incredibly easy so it can be used fast in an emergency by pretty much anyone with no knowledge. But as a host, I don’t find it hard to manage dietary requirements.

My concern is why is this happening? Why is there so many kids with allergies and intolerances now a days?! I read something the other day about the amount of people that are now gluten intolerant and how it could be because the wheat has changed due to chemicals etc and that it even looks different to how it looked all those years ago. It’s crazy to think what we might be eating and aren’t aware of

I would have asked the Mum to stay or to give you some instructions. I hope the child was old enough to know how to use it.
We have never had allergies in our family before but now have one who can’t have egg or dairy and recently some tree nuts. He too has an epi pen on hand but we have not had to use it so far. A parent would stay with him at a party for that reason as he is too young to handle it himself.

I think the mum having a lax attitude towards it could be a positive thing. Its something the child will live with forever, you don’t want them to be fearful every day. I’m sure the child is well versed on what to do and when to do it. If you find this happens a few times, maybe read a few pieces of info on how one is used and how to care for someone afterwards. Any further action that needs to be taken.
Dietary requirements do make things a little tricky, but I like knowing everyone can be included and enjoy themselves

We have none in our family (for which I’m grateful) but yeah, a lot of my kids’ friends have allergies or intolerances. I haven’t found it that much harder to host gatherings. The close friends I already know about, and am used to catering for, and the others – some parents actually send food with their kids, others simply tell me in advance.