YOUR TODDLER NEEDS AN EPIPEN

My youngest son has multiple food allergies to; Wheat, Dairy, Eggs, All Nuts, Coconut, Honey and a Soy intolerance.

I've always explained to Mr 2 that certain foods "Make him sick." He has always responded with a surprising level of understanding. 
I assume because he has experienced a few awful reactions as a result of eating something he is allergic to, he has been able to make the connection in my explanation on why he can't eat some foods. 
It was as early, around 8 months he just seemed to accept it and never even attempted to eat something I didn't give the OK on. 

Mr 2 has tipped the 10kg weight mark, which means he now has a EpiPen Jr. While I'm pleased that we have some sort of vice if we are ever faced with anaphylaxis, it also comes with its own set of fears and realities. 

When you first get hit with massive task of adapting your life to cater for multiple serious food allergies, it's overwhelming and mentally draining. 
As someone who loves to cook for others I remember feeling like I had been robbed of my joy for baking, I couldn't use Wheat, Dairy, Eggs, Nuts - What was I supposed to use?
Slowly you start to adjust. 
Emily (My gorgeous sister) and I started swapping ideas and recipes, learning to cook to cater to the new needs of our families. Eventually you forget what baking was like before Rice Flour, Nuttelex and Rice Milk, you become so 'comfortable' in your new lifestyle that the realities of food allergies tend to slip into the background, only presenting themselves when your out amongst the 'real world'. 
Getting the EpiPen was like a stab to my heart, it reminded me that this is real, that we do coexist with all the foods that present danger to him, It took away my short vague feeling of complacency, because why else would I need an EpiPen Jr? The thought is enough to stop me there. 

Mr 2 and Mr 3 have been shown the EpiPen Jr, his young mind holds only a wonderous fascination for the EpiPen. We have talked about why we have to take it with us. I am however, careful with my choice of words so as not to install any fear. At this age he doesn't really need to know alot about his EpiPen except that it is his medicine in case he eats something that makes him sick. He never has any kind of responsibility over the EpiPen, only aware of it's presence. 

One day my Toddler who needs an EpiPen will get older and learn how to use it and what it really means to have a serious food allergy, but for now, we are keeping it as simple as we can.

For those who have young children who have EpiPen's, When did you introduce the EpiPen topic to your children? Maybe you feel there is no need to make them aware of it's existence so young? We would love to hear your story.

Caroline