For children celiac disease can be much more difficult than it is for adults. An adult usually understands that certain foods will make them ill and either avoids them or finds alternatives for them. For child it can become a much more complicated issue between school, birthday parties, sleep overs, TV and sporting events, children are constantly bombarded by tempting treats that they are not allowed to eat.

Learning to navigate these difficult circumstances is crucial to your child’s health and well being. Perhaps the most important part of dealing with celiac disease and your child’s outside world is communication and education. You will find that many teachers and parents will simply give you a blank stare and ask you what celiac disease is when you tell them you child has it. While it might seem easier to just tell them that your child cannot eat wheat sometimes telling them your child has a disease will get their attention better and force them to take it more seriously, just be prepared to explain what it is frequently.

Prepare yourself and your child for potential difficult spots by first warning the adults in charge of whatever situation your child will go into and prepare your child for what might happen as well. Remind them of why it is so important that they do not eat foods they are not sure of or know have gluten in them. Then offer to take gluten free snacks to school for the teacher to have, or in the case of a birthday party or sleepover you may need to offer to send a separate dinner, cake and snacks for your child.

While this may seem like a lot of work, to not do so can come with a large price, not allowing your child to attend normal functions such as birthday parties will make them feel separated and left out and making them do without the same goodies their friends are having will increase their chances of falling off their diet. These days there are plenty of gluten free goodies available for children, and although they can be expensive using them carefully can increase your child’s chances of complying with their gluten free diet and keep their life as normal as possible.