Spending time one-on-one and with your child's allergist is important. You both will play a key role in teaching your child about his food allergy. Talk to your child about his diagnosis and what that means. Explain that he will be able to eat most foods, but a select few will make him sick. Encourage him to ask questions and be comfortable telling adults about his allergy or if he is having any symptoms of an allergic reaction. Try to remain calm while teaching your child. You may unintentionally scare him into thinking he is in danger anytime he is outside your home or "safe" zones. If your child is old enough, teach her about different foods that contain her allergen and how to read a food label. Show your child different foods with her allergen. Teach her to look on the food label for the allergen listing and in the ingredient list. Have her accompany you to the grocery store so she can get regular practice reviewing different food labels and understanding the amount of foods that may contain her allergen. Also teach her to never accept foods from strangers or those who are unaware of her food allergies. It's also important to help your child understand what happens to his body if he does ingest a food that contains an allergen. Again, it's important to be calm and understanding when teaching your child about the potential dangers and (scary) side effects. Try to keep him calm and focused as well. If your child is younger, it may be more difficult to explain serious medical side effects. Ask your allergist for assistance when explaining these tougher terms to your child. Have your child repeat back to you the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction and tell you what he would do. Signs of a reaction vary and may include: Tingling or itching in the mouth Hives, itching or eczema Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body Wheezing or nasal congestion Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting Dizziness or lightheadedness Signs of anaphylaxis include the symptoms above as well as the following symptoms which are life-threatening: Constriction and tightening of airways A swollen throat or the sensation of a lump in your throat that makes it difficult to breathe or talk Shock (a severe drop in blood pressure) Rapid pulse Confusion, Anxiety or loss of consciousness Teaching your child about taking emergency medications is a must when dealing with food allergies. An auto-injectable epinephrine medication, or EpiPen, is the most common and effective emergency treatment for food allergies. Spend adequate time with the allergist and your child explaining how to remedy a bad reaction to a food. Emphasize that the child should stay calm and to take the medication as directed. In addition, review your child's plan of action and knowledge of medications a few times a year to ensure she hasn't forgotten what to do. It's also essential to teach everyone in the family, school officials, and any close family members or friends.

Summary: Teach your child about his food allergy. Review different foods and food labels. Talk to him about possible symptoms. Teach her how to use her emergency medications.

If you are not able to get stubborn hair dye off your skin, consider investing in an over-the-counter stain remover. Many drug stores sell stain removers that can remove excess color from the ends of your hair, any stains on your clothes, and any stains on your skin. For very easy application, look for hair dye remover wipes at your local drug store. These wipes dissolve any color stains on your skin and are often made with products that will not irritate your skin. Your hairdresser may be able to recommend a stain removal product for your skin type and based on the type of dye you used on your hair. Ask her for advice, but be prepared for her to scold you for not getting your hair professionally dyed!

Summary: Buy a professional stain remover. Use stain remover wipes. Talk to your hairdresser about a professional stain removal product.

Signing the acceptance letter officially puts you on the road to adoption. Your adoption agency will submit your signed acceptance letter to the CCCWA, which will issue a "Notice of Traveling to China for Adoption." This document allows you to travel to China to pick up your child. Ask your adoption agency for a copy of the signed acceptance letter for your records. After you've accepted your matched child, include the child's information on this form and submit it to USCIS. Your adoption agency will likely submit the form on your behalf. It may take anywhere from 2 to 4 months to process your Form-1-800. This form must be approved before you will be able to get a visa for your child to bring them back to the US.{{greenbox:Tip: Depending on the amount of time that has passed since your Form 1-800A was approved, you may need to have an additional home study. Go to the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate to complete a visa application. If you're traveling to adopt a child, you'll need a Private Visit (S) Visa. Include a copy of your "Notice of Traveling to China for Adoption" along with your visa application. Your adoption agency will typically take care of this for you. Make sure your passport has at least 6 months' validity on it from the date you plan to travel to China. As of 2019, it takes approximately 4 working days to process an S Visa application. If you need your visa sooner, you can pay an extra $20 to get it in 2 or 3 days, or $30 to get it processed on the same day. Even though you may be excited, don't book your travel until you have your visa, your Form I-1800 has been approved, and appointments have been set in China to complete the adoption. If anything falls through, you may have difficulty rebooking flights or canceling accommodations. Expect to spend at least 15 days in China. You will most likely fly to a major city China prefers that both parents travel to China to meet the child for the first time. However, if only one of you can travel that should be fine., such as Hong Kong, Beijing, or Guangzhou, then travel to the province where the child is located. To finalize travel documents before returning home, you'll need to stop at the US embassy in Guangzhou. Don't forget that you'll have an extra person with you on your return trip!
Summary: Sign the acceptance letter to adopt the matched child. Fill out and submit Form 1-800 for your matched child. Get your visa to enter China. Book your travel to and from China.