Is my son just living his best kid life? Or is it ADHD??

The Early Years and First Challenges

When I was pregnant with my first (and only), my mind raced constantly. I’m guessing most rookie moms share similar anxieties when expecting their firstborn—or maybe I was just a little neurotic! Either way, I was beyond relieved when my baby finally arrived: 10 fingers, 10 toes, and a healthy 8 pounds. There were only minor complications, which affected me more than my fresh little boy.

He did have quite the head, though. During my last ultrasound, the tech even asked if my due date was wrong—his head was so big she thought I might deliver sooner. I assured her the date was right, and I could practically hear her silent prayer for my lady parts.

Fast forward about a year, and most of my worries about year-one milestones never came to pass. Phew! My son was a happy, giggly little guy who hit all his developmental marks, got plenty of tummy time, and even slept well (most of the time).

At 13 months life threw us a bit of a challenge. One of my greatest fears came true: he had an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts. Over time, we also learned he was severely allergic to all nuts and sesame.

Managing my anxiety around his allergies wasn’t easy, but over time, I taught him how to stay safe with the foods he ate away from home. Eventually, he became more careful than I was, which helped ease my constant worry.

• Have you experienced similar challenges with your child’s allergies or health? How did you manage your own anxiety around their well-being?
• What’s been the hardest part of your child’s first year for you? How did you find a sense of balance between your own worries and their needs?
• Have any of you had to make lifestyle changes for your child’s allergies? I’d love to hear what worked for you!