2025 Goals Every Food Allergy Parent Needs to Set

As a parent of a child with food allergies, your days are filled with planning meals, reading labels, coordinating with schools, and ensuring your child stays safe and included. While it’s easy to focus all your energy on your child’s needs, it’s equally important to set personal goals for yourself. Why? Because your well-being directly impacts your ability to advocate for and support your child. Why not use the new year to refocus, recharge, and plan?

Here’s a roadmap to help food allergy parents set achievable goals for the year ahead:

1. Prioritize Self-Care

Your energy and health are essential to managing your child’s food allergies effectively. This year aim to incorporate at least one self-care activity into your daily or weekly routine. Whether it’s a 10-minute meditation, a walk in nature, or reading a book for pleasure, prioritize moments that recharge you.

Goal Ideas:

• Schedule a monthly “self-care check-in” to evaluate your physical and mental health. I put these items on my calendar along with an alarm or else it won’t get done.

• Commit to a consistent bedtime routine to improve your sleep quality. Did you know that not getting enough sleep increases stress and anxiety?

• Join a yoga or fitness class for stress relief.

2. Deepen Your Food Allergy Knowledge

The food allergy landscape is constantly evolving. Stay informed about new research, treatment options, and advocacy opportunities. This knowledge will empower you to make informed decisions and advocate effectively for your child.

Goal Ideas:

• Read one book or subscribe to a newsletter about food allergies each quarter. The Food Allergy Professor provides monthly emails with news updates! Sign up here to receive the latest in food allergy news.

• Schedule a session with the Food Allergy Professor to discuss your unique situation plus enhance your understanding on food allergies.

3. Strengthen Communication Skills

Advocating for your child often means educating others about their food allergies. Whether you’re speaking with teachers, relatives, or restaurant staff, clear and confident communication is key.

Goal Ideas:

• Practice explaining your child’s food allergy action plan in under two minutes.

• Role-play common scenarios (e.g., discussing cross-contact risks) with a partner or friend.

• Create a resource packet for caregivers and schools that includes key information. The Food Allergy Professor offers caregiver guides, restaurant cards, and allergy forms for school. Connect with me to get these resources.

4. Foster Connections for Your Child

Help your child build a support network by connecting with other families managing food allergies. Social connections can reduce feelings of isolation for both you and your child.

Goal Ideas:

• Host a food allergy-friendly playdate or meet-up.

• Volunteer with a local food allergy organization.

• Encourage your child to share their experiences and build confidence in managing their allergies.

5. Plan for the Unexpected

Managing food allergies comes with unpredictability. Use the beginning of the new year to review emergency plans and prepare for the unexpected.

Goal Ideas:

• Update your child’s emergency care plan and ensure all caregivers are trained on it. Keep a copy with your child’s medication, at school or daycare, and one at home.

• Restock your epinephrine auto-injectors and practice using a trainer device. Include your child with practicing even if they are young. Remove any expired medications and get new prescriptions as needed.

As we step into 2025, remember: setting goals doesn’t have to mean massive changes all at once. Even small, consistent steps can lead to significant improvements in your well-being and your ability to support your child. Ready to make a change? Put it on your calendar and make it happen.

What are your goals for this year? I’d love to hear them and cheer you on! Together, we can make 2025 a year of growth, connection, and resilience. If you’d like help managing your child’s food allergy, work with me. I’m happy to talk with you about you child’s unique situation and empower you to manage food allergies with confidence.