Leaving the (Gluten-Freed) Nest
On the heels of the celiac diagnosis were two major milestones: high school graduation and moving away to college. For many mothers, the mere thought of a child leaving home results in them clutching their glass of white wine, waxing philosophically about babies growing up, leaving the nest, and “oh, where did the time go?” I was no exception.
Just when I was getting the hang of not poisoning my daughter with accidental gluten, I was sending Grace off into the glutosphere alone. The thought made my blood run cold.
The preparation list for any student moving away to school is long, and more so for a student with celiac. In advance, we spoke to the school to set up accommodations, including housing with kitchen access, permission to have a separate refrigerator and microwave in her room and a meeting with the campus dietician to discuss on-campus dining options. Next, we built a mobile kitchen, laid in a larder, and kept our fingers crossed!
Knowing the resources available, the campus culture and how to safely socialize in a not-always-gluten-free world will set your gf student up for success.
College Ready
Campus Life
Socializing