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Woman Warns MIL About Son’s Severe Allergy, MIL Brushes It Off And Plans A Peanut-Heavy Outing

Woman Warns MIL About Son’s Severe Allergy, MIL Brushes It Off And Plans A Peanut-Heavy Outing

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Food allergies are no joke. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI) reports peanut allergies are among the most severe, often triggering anaphylaxis, a condition that can be fatal without immediate treatment.

Today’s Original Poster (OP) found herself in a very frustrating situation after realizing that her mother-in-law doesn’t take her son’s severe peanut allergy seriously. In fact, she’s convinced it’s all in the OP’s head.

More info: Reddit

RELATED:

    When you see that your mother-in-law doesn’t take your child’s severe peanut allergy seriously, you may have to keep her out

    Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    The author described her parenting style as more gentle, while her mother-in-law’s style is more strict and old-fashioned

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    Image credits: The Yuri Arcurs Collection / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    Her son has a severe peanut allergy; however, her mother-in-law believes it’s not real and that it can be cured through exposure

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    Image credits: spontaneous_igloo / Reddit (not the actual photo)

    Now, she wants to take the child to a baseball game where there are peanuts everywhere, but she insists he will do just fine

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    Image credits: katemangostar / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The author’s husband believes she’s overreacting about their child’s allergy and sides with his mom despite knowing the dangers

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    Image credits: shurkin_son / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    She gave an update on the situation, emphasizing that she’s not trying to demonize her mother-in-law, but keep her son safe

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    Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    She also added that she has asked her mother-in-law if she’s willing to go with her to a family doctor, but she hasn’t received a response

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    Her husband, on the other hand, still refuses to take things seriously, which leaves the author considering legal actions

    The mother-in-law and the OP never really see eye to eye. While her mother-in-law is a bit more of an old-school and tough love and hardline parenting believer, the OP is all about gentle and soft parenting. Her son was diagnosed with a life-threatening peanut allergy, so he has to use an EpiPen.

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    However, her mother-in-law believes that the allergy is fake and that it will go away with time after some exposure to the allergen despite the OP explaining to her that it could be deadly. She threw the child’s EpiPen aside and insisted that kids “didn’t have allergies” in her day. Besides, if something did happen, she’d simply take him to the hospital. The OP was horrified at this.

    One day, when she refused to let her mother-in-law take her son out without his EpiPen, she played the victim, calling the OP’s husband and telling him that the OP had called her an “unfit grandmother.” Instead of backing her, her husband sided with his mom, stating that his mom meant no harm and that she was just overreacting. He also insisted that she apologize to his mom.

    Now, her mother-in-law wants to take the child to a baseball game—a place with peanuts everywhere. When the OP asked her to use the stadium’s peanut-free zone, her mother-in-law insisted that her child would be fine. At this point, the OP is tired of her mother-in-law’s actions towards her son. Her husband, still in full “Mama’s Boy” mode, thinks she’s being unreasonable.

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    Image credits: Kaboompics.com / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    In order to get some professional insight into the severity of anaphylaxis, Bored Panda reached out to medical doctor Petrina Uukule. When asked what happens to the body during an anaphylactic reaction, she explained that allergies play up when the body mistakenly identifies a substance as dangerous and releases chemicals like histamine to fight it.

    “This causes the blood vessels to dilate and airways to constrict, which makes one breathe with difficulty,” Uukule explained. She also stated that face and throat swelling can also block the airways, which can lead to death. She emphasized that it can escalate rapidly within minutes; therefore, it shouldn’t be taken lightly or intentionally induced.

    Uukule clarified that the idea that one can “cure” a child by exposing them to allergens is a myth. Rather, repeated exposure could very well lead to an accumulation of more severe and more dangerous reactions. In her words, “Since it’s genetic, exposure can’t cure them.”

    We went further to ask what the OP can do in this situation, especially since her mother-in-law doesn’t seem to understand the gravity of the allergy. She suggested that what the mother-in-law needs is awareness and health education through a family doctor. She added that if, after this, she is still non-compliant, the OP must realize that she can’t leave her child under her mother-in-law’s care.

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    Netizens shared their firsthand experiences with anaphylaxis, detailing how excruciating and traumatic it can be. They also emphasized that the OP’s husband’s refusal to stand up to his mother makes him a terrible father, and that she’s not in the wrong for prioritizing her child’s safety over family harmony.

    What would you do if you were in the OP’s shoes? Would you let your mother-in-law see your child only under supervision, or cut off visits entirely? We would love to hear your thoughts!

    Netizens affirmed that the author isn’t being unreasonable for wanting to ensure that her son is safe from danger

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    Poll Question

    Do you think the OP is justified in prioritizing her child's safety over family relationships?

    Yes, child's safety comes first

    No, family harmony is more important

    It's a tough choice, but safety might edge out

    Both should be balanced equally

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    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a writer and bookworm (eyes glued to an e-book, more accurately) who happens to have a suspiciously deep knowledge about pop culture. When I'm not writing, I can most likely be found taking yet another online quiz to find out which soda matches my personality.

    Read less »
    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a writer and bookworm (eyes glued to an e-book, more accurately) who happens to have a suspiciously deep knowledge about pop culture. When I'm not writing, I can most likely be found taking yet another online quiz to find out which soda matches my personality.

    Denis Krotovas

    Denis Krotovas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. While studying at Vilnius Tech University, I learned how to use Photoshop and decided to continue mastering it at Bored Panda. I am interested in learning UI/UX design and creating unique designs for apps, games and websites. On my spare time, I enjoy playing video and board games, watching TV shows and movies and reading funny posts on the internet.

    Read less »

    Denis Krotovas

    Denis Krotovas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. While studying at Vilnius Tech University, I learned how to use Photoshop and decided to continue mastering it at Bored Panda. I am interested in learning UI/UX design and creating unique designs for apps, games and websites. On my spare time, I enjoy playing video and board games, watching TV shows and movies and reading funny posts on the internet.

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    AK
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is old, and OP seems to have divorced him, triggering harrassment and him taking up with an affair partner. I hope she and her son completely escaped.

    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh! I didn't see this is 5 yrs old! Dang! Glad OP dumped worthless + his scary mom.

    Load More Replies...
    Surly Scot
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ladies...please stop breeding with these mama's boys. The oedipal complex between mother and son is nauseating and there's no room for you except to be the maid and fetal container.

    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP, pick your son. Dump your worthless husband + his "refuses to learn" mom. You'll be better off.

    Load More Comments
    AK
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is old, and OP seems to have divorced him, triggering harrassment and him taking up with an affair partner. I hope she and her son completely escaped.

    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh! I didn't see this is 5 yrs old! Dang! Glad OP dumped worthless + his scary mom.

    Load More Replies...
    Surly Scot
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ladies...please stop breeding with these mama's boys. The oedipal complex between mother and son is nauseating and there's no room for you except to be the maid and fetal container.

    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP, pick your son. Dump your worthless husband + his "refuses to learn" mom. You'll be better off.

    Load More Comments
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