Erica Reid - The Thriving Child: Parenting Successfully through Allergies, Asthma and Other Common Challenges

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This book is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in all matters relating to his or her health, or childs health, and particularly in respect of any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

Copyright 2012 by Erica Reid

Jacket design by Jennette Munger

Jacket photography by Getty Images (girl sledding); Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images (boy with banana); Don Mason/Getty Images (girl riding scooter); Andersen Ross/Getty Images (boy with dog)

Jacket 2012 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.

All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the authors intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the authors rights.

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First ebook edition: May 2012

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ISBN 978-1-4555-1101-3

This book of love and passion is dedicated to my Grandaddy, my Nana, and all the children of the world, especially the ones who made this possible, Arianna Manuelle and Addison Kennedy Reid. I love you all.

Dear Reader,

The Thriving Child is a labor of love. When you read this book, you and your child will benefit from the combined knowledge and experience of the many experts, on everything from pediatric immunology to child creativity, whom Erica Reid has assembled as her contributors. Youll also be treated to a wealth of information that Erica herself has uncovered, through years of painstaking research. And youll find pages and pages of the kind of practical, real-world parenting tips that you can only get from a hands-on mom, who knows what its like to try to convince a kid to eat a gluten-free cupcake while all the other kids have Twinkies.

Most of all, however, as you flip through the pages of The Thriving Child, youll see an inspiring demonstration of a mothers love. As a practicing physician, I have met many parents who have confronted health challenges similar to those that Erica has faced, in raising a child with asthma and potentially severe food allergies. I know of no mother who has approached these challenges with a higher level of dedication than Erica. In these pages, youll see that dedication reflected in Ericas exhaustive lists of food ingredients that you might not think to avoid, or of non-allergenic snacks that will keep long enough to take on an airplane trip. But youll also see something of her heart and soul in this book, and of her unflagging commitment not just to keeping her kids medically well, but to nurturing them as whole human beings, and giving them every possible opportunity for physical, mental, and spiritual development.

In my medical training, Ive come across much of the information about allergies, asthma, and nutrition that youll find in this book, although theres plenty to learn here even for the professional. But it has only been through my own experience as a mother that I have truly come to appreciate the incredible rewards of parenthood, and the depth of devotion that can be expressed by committed parents. This book will help you to keep your kids healthy and out of the emergency room, but it will also do something perhaps even more important than that. It will help you teach them to live, learn, prosper and grow. In short, it will inspire you to help them thrive.

Sincerely,

Holly L. Phillips, MD

I have been so blessed to have had my share of success in the worlds of music, movies, fashion design, TV, and more. But there is no question in my mind that the role I am most proud of, is being mother to my twins, Max and Emme. Mothering is one of the hardest jobs any woman can have.

I have always respected and looked up to mothers, especially my own. But it wasnt until I personally entered the unique world of motherhood that I began paying more attention to other mothers around me and seeking their insight. One of these women has been Erica Reid.

Erica and I met through her husband LA and our relationship has grown much closer with time. Not only are we two women who are friends, but two mothers. We spend a lot of time together with our children, enjoying meals, weekends, and family time. We help each other navigate through the unpredictable world of raising coconuts. Having the objective eye of another mother can sometimes be the light you need to see clearly in the moments of uncertainty that arise on this motherhood journey. This has proven priceless to me. I can truly say that Erica is one of the most inspiring mothers I know.

As a working single mother of twins, its an understatement to say that my plate is full. But despite a busy life, I try my best to make sure that my children receive what they need to sustain them both in their daily lives and in the long term. Life is truly what we make it and I feel that we all need a little help, especially when it comes to our children. As Erica mentions in this book, if your children arent healthy and thriving, it doesnt matter how many awards you receive or how high profile your life is. This is why I find The Thriving Child to be such an important book. It is encouraging without being preachy, inspiring without being overwhelming, and it provides so much information that we as parents need in todays busy, fast-paced, high-tech world.

The Thriving Child gives practical tips from the actual experiences of a natural born mother. And the information isnt just helpful; I have seen it in action. I know that Erica walks the walk and talks the talk. Ive even seen my own family benefit after time spent with her. (I know traveling with my kids has gotten easier thanks to a few of her key tips!) Im excited that Erica has been generous enough to put pen to paper and share with others what she has experienced. I know her journey was not always easy. Almost losing her son to a deadly virus was one of the most painful moments of her life, one that still brings her to tears when she talks about it. And yet, she turned it into something positive and used it to help others. I know it will help you and your family. I truly feel that