I'm Seeing Green

TIP

Many of you know, we have a child with pretty severe food allergies. Because she has so many allergies it is frustrating and anxiety inducing to leave her with a babysitter, a friend, even a family member. I used to make long, drawn out lists detailing each of her allergies and what she could and couldn't eat. This was not only time consuming but it was stressful because I didn't want to forget anything. After some thinking I devised the "Green Dot Method"!

I purchased a pack of colorful dot stickers (like those you see on garage sale items) and on each and every thing that is safe for our little one to eat, I place a green dot. You can find these dots in the office supply section of any grocery store, Target, office supply store, etc. It is so much easier to tell people "Anything that has a green dot is safe for her to eat/drink". It has even helped my own husband to know what to give her...after all, he has been the one who has given her something 'not safe' in the past!

The green dots can be used for so much more than food allergies, though. Here's a list of examples:

1. Helpful for sitters who are watching infants/toddlers and don't think about choking hazards!

2. Helpful for children to know which snacks they are allowed to eat

3. The dots are great reminders to do a number of things outside of the pantry like:

- one placed on the mirror reminds kids to wash their hands after using the restroom

The physical therapist in me loves the idea below :)

-place one at the kitchen sink, one in your wallet, one on your steering wheel, etc. to remind you to do your pelvic floor exercises (Kegels), to correct your posture, to take some deep, cleansing breaths, to do your favorite stretch, etc.

If you can think of ways to use this idea in your life, please post a comment and share your idea with us!