Why Are People Painting Pumpkins Teal This Halloween?

As an allergy mom, I was excited when I learned about the Teal Pumpkin Project. Finally! I felt like other parents were starting to recognize the struggle we allergy moms & dads go through every day. My son is still too young to fully comprehend his allergy. However, at two, he already knows that some foods can make him very sick and he shouldn't eat them.

It's hard to watch your child's face light up over all the sugary goodies on Halloween and then have to confiscate more than 1/2 his loot because that Kit Kat bar will make him incredibly sick if he eats it.  Lianne Mandelbaum, a fellow allergy mom, understands just what I mean.

In a recent article for Huff Post Parents, Mandelbaum shares her heartfelt gratitude for teal pumpkins and the people who participate.

For our family, Halloween used to be downright scary. The truth is that I used to dread trick or treating with my son. I remember vividly a few years back when my sister invited us to her neighborhood. My son was so excited to dress up in his Thomas the Train costume and even more so, to trick or treat with his cousins. I'll admit I was nervous, but armed with my EpiPen and safe candy, off we went. House after house, I remember my son asking if there was any safe candy for him, only to get looks of pity or blank stares. Even though I had safe candy with me, he just wanted one door to have something special for him too. His disappointment was palpable, and for a mom to witness this, heartbreaking. I swore to never go to homes I had not vetted again.

I want you to know these things because I can easily bet our family is not the only grateful one this holiday. Just in case you were wondering if it was worth the effort, please know that you are helping to erase the stigma of food allergies. You are bringing magic into the world of a child, one teal pumpkin at a time.

She's right. We are grateful for the teal pumpkins too. There will be one on my porch this Halloween.

After all, as Mandelbaum writes, all kids should get to:

… focus on being Albus Dumbledore this Halloween and enjoy the magic of the night.

Will you consider putting out a teal pumpkin this year?