Teal Pumpkins. While out trick or treating this year, you may see these displayed at houses, businesses, doctor's offices, and stores. But, do you know it means?
It means that the person displaying the pumpkin knows kindness, compassion, and empathy. It means, this person took things one step further, and went out of their way to make a child happy, and to keep them safe. This is a person with a big heart, and this person deserves a huge high five. Halloween is not easy for moms like me, so from my heart, I thank you.
This pumpkin means that a child that would normally just trick or treat for the experience, will actually get to keep the little treat. No reading labels, no cross contamination, just a simple little token that can actually be enjoyed.
The Teal Pumpkin Project is something that the food allergy world has come up with to allow kids with food allergies to enjoy this occasion. A "holiday" that we don't normally get to enjoy 100%. By displaying a Teal Pumpkin, you let us know that you have non-food treats available for kids like mine. Most people will still have candy for the candy lovers, but will have non-food treats available, too. We are not taking over halloween, ruining anyones fun, or starting an anti-candy halloween movement. We are just making it a little safer for those that need it, didn't ask for it, and may not understand it. My three year old does not fully understand the potential threat of his food allergies. I create a world to protect him from that. This project allows us to come out of that bubble, just a little bit.
For more information about the #TealPumpkinProject please see FARE's website. http://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project  They have free printables you can use in place of painting a pumpkin. --C