Leaving Aidan

Leaving Aidan is not without some trepidation and requires enormous preparation. He comes with lots of instructions!

Aidan has potentially life-threatening allergies to sesame, peanuts, nuts, and possibly mustard. He is also allergic to wheat, milk, eggs, barley, bananas and possibly lentils. He therefore has a rather special diet. We never eat as a family at restaurants as we can't trust that the food would be safe for Aidan. Thus, it was simply not possible to take Aidan to Vietnam where we would be eating out or where we would not be able to properly read the labels.

Every day, great precautions are taken in our home to prevent Aidan's exposure to his food allergens. After 6 years we know the drill but we need to train Mike's parents on how to prepare Aidan's food prior to our departure and institute more labeling of the foods in our house to make it perfectly clear.

Fortunately, we will be communicating with them via Skype on a daily basis. Our nanny will also be at the house 2 days per week to assist with baking bread and cookies. And Aidan is quite aware now of what he can and cannot eat.

I know we're well prepared, but it's hard for a mother to stop worrying completely!