Another peanut allergy rant

[chamonix]

While I am very sypathetic to the needs of the allergic children, I have to say I come down on the side of those who are saying "there has to be a better way to deal with this" AND "the second list is probably overkill". It really sounds like the school doesn't know what it's doing!

That being said, I'm a SAHM and am very particular about the foods we eat (I co-own a natural food store, if that tells you anything, lol). I don't "purchase" snacks for my dd, I bake them from scratch, and my kitchen certainly isn't a peanut free facility. (I also have cheese, berries, etc). We would have to work something out with the school, that took all the kids/families needs into account. Keeping that child safe is paramount, of course, but all the other kids have to eat too. There has to be a better way, and I would pursue that ASAP with the family and the school, if it was me.

As for the special needs and ADA compliance mentioned upthread, I have a friend whose son was highly deathly allergic to peanuts. When he started K (not at my dd's school, but at a public school) she made the school system give him a full time trained aide who shadowed him at all times to make sure he did not come in contact with peanut residue. A very small child can NOT be responsible for that, and if it's life and death, they need to be protected. (Now that he is older, of course, he doesn't have the aid anymore.) Unfortunately, I agree with seaspray that if it were me, I am not sure I could send my child to school if it were even possible she would come into contact with something that would kill her! Homeschooling would definitely be a possiblity. Oh, and the school district might even have to pay for it and send a teacher to my home for it, if they couldn't keep my child safe in a school.

It sounds to me like the school system in the OP could do better to find a solution that works for everyone and keeps those kids safe.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

First let me say that I really do sympathize for those with children with peanut allergies.

Now my son who just started 1st grade, was sent a letter before school started that there 2 kids in the class that had peanut allergies. We would not be allowed to send in any snack that contained peanuts nor would this particular class be able to have pb & j for lunch. The 2 kids will sit at the "peanut free" table but they didn't want to take any chances as one is HIGHLY allergic. I will also say that the "other" kid is Ds' BFF and they went thru prek and k together without incident.

So anyway, they included a list of appropriate brands and items for snack and asked all the parents to read all labels before buying. If the snack isn't on the list we must submit the label with the snack. So we started to adjust last week and I sent him a poopyseed bagel (his fav) w/ cream cheese and a cup of strawberries for lunch. For snack I sent approved petzels and a cheese bar.

Friday a letter comes home, the kid has been retested during the week and some addtl allergies are found.

Poppyseeds
Sesame
Flax
Sunflower
Fennel
Eggs
Strawberry
Blueberry
Cheese


Ok we are told to refrain from using the new list too.

I am trying to understand if this child is so highly allergic, how does he even go to school. It is not a peanut free school.

Also I feel like although I do not mind going peanut free, it leaves very little options for my picky 6 y/o. He loves poppy bagels, strawberries, cheese, and fruit yogurt.

I hate that it has become my responsiblity to take care of this one child.

I know I will probably get flamed, but it felt good to rant anyways.

Mu DH thinks that the kids parents should provide all the snacks if it is that severe.

My DD is allergic to these and more and we do not keep other kids from bringing them. They are not airborne they are ingested allergies and she knows not to eat things I don't send. It's a ridiculous list.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I'm really amazed by all this...I'm in my 40's, have had severe nut allergies ALL my life. I didn't eat at a special table for lunch-if the kid next to me had a PBJ I switched seats so I wasn't "downwind". I brought my own lunch and NEVER traded, I ate out of my lunch box so I didn't risk contaminating anything by putting it on the table. In other words, I was taught from the age of 5 how to live in a world that contained the allergen-we wouldn't have even thought to expect the world to adjust to me.

I keep hearing about all these kids who will die if they are in any way exposed to their allergens. From what I know, having lived with it all my life and done a TON of research on the subject-instantaneous fatal reactions from casual or airborne contact with allergens are about as rare as getting struck by lightening, if not more so.

I have to think that in some of these cases there is some fear reaction on the part of the parents. My parents still talk about how terrified they were watching the few reactions I had as a child, so I can certainly understand a parent wanting to take all possible precautions. However, I also know that it is extremely important that these children learn how to live in a world that will not always adjust to their needs. A teenager died in the town next to me because he ate something at a party that he was allergic to. He had no epipen, and had never asked a question about the ingredients. He just assumed he could eat whatever was available because he had never been anywhere he couldn't. The allergists in the medical group where I go are on a mission to eliminate "nut free" schools and other allergen-free environments for children past the third grade.

 

[momof2inPA]

I support peanut free classrooms and schools because of the nature of the food and the deadliness of the allergy. Peanut protein survives long in residue left on tables and such, and peanut butter is just plain sticky. The list you have been asked not to bring is way too extensive. I hope you work it out with the teacher/school. Sometimes parents of food allergic kids over-react in trying to keep control over an environment they can't control. Sometimes the teachers and schools over-react. Or maybe the kid really is that sensitive.

 

[Planogirl]

What troubles me is that the parents actually trust the other parents to do the right thing. If I had to deal with something like this I'd be worrying myself to death about those who will likely ignore the lists. People are so all about "me" nowadays that I can see it happening.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

What troubles me is that the parents actually trust the other parents to do the right thing. If I had to deal with something like this I'd be worrying myself to death about those who will likely ignore the lists. People are so all about "me" nowadays that I can see it happening.

Well I will abide by the rules so to speak until I talk to the principal and am told otherwise. I cannot imagine causing harm even inadvertantly to a 6 y/o. I hope to speak someone tomorrow. I really am having a hard time figuring out what to send my son for lunch.

 

[weregoingtodw]

Peanuts, the anthrax of the elementary school.

OMG, that is wrong on SO. MANY. LEVELS.!!! Is it bad that I laughed really hard anyway?!!

 

[NCDisneyMom]

Just some thoughts from a Mom of two kids, both allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. I think that list is going overboard. I don't even ask for that much restriction for my kids' life-threatening allergies.

Now, my dd is in preschool, so her classroom is much more restrictive, simply becuase they are 4-year-olds, and can't always be held responsible for themselves. But, they don't eat lunch there. And, it is a private preschool. I'll stick my thoughts with my ds, who is in public school and eats lunch at school....

He is in 2nd grade now. Snacks were provided in Kindergarten only. The teacher collected snack money and purchased all of the class snacks. She and I worked together to make a list of things that would be safe. Before we even got to the school, it was school policy that any birthday treats had to be store-bought, and were to be served at lunch, not in the classroom. This helps to keep DS classroom nut-free...the ONLY part of his daily routine that I've asked to stay nut-free. If there is going to be food in the classroom, I work closely with the teacher/classroom Mother/whoever, to make sure it stays safe. If a child brings in a birthday treat which is not safe, or the teacher isn't sure is safe, we keep a supply of "special" snacks for DS to have in those situations. The other children are not denied their treat.

In the lunchroom, kids can bring whatever they want for lunch. We just ask that anyone with blatant nuts (not may-contains) not sit next to DS. We used to have a larger "buffer zone" (such as, not across from him, either), to avoid him sharing with anyone else. But, as he has gotten older, we have lessened that buffer zone, since he knows now not to share anything. We still ask for no one next to him, just in case the other child forgets, and touches DS with peanut butter on his/her hands (and yes, DS WILL have a reaction from touch). I really don't feel like we are asking for too much.

Our neighbor's son goes to the same school. He is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, milk and wheat. She has not asked for anything more than I have.

I agree with the other poster who grew up with peanut allergies. The world we live in is full of peanuts (or other allergens), and I need to teach my kids how to live in this world. Yes, when they are younger, they need more help. As he is getting older, we are teaching my son how to adjust to the circumstances around him, and not how to expect everyone else to accomodate him.

I can't imagine asking all the children to limit as much as the OP has been asked to limit. I know they are allergies, and I'm sure th eparents are overwhelmed, but still. Most of those are not life-threatening, and I would imagine have to be injested in order for a reaction to occur. I would never dream of asking other people to limit their children's lunches like that.

 

[KJSJpipe]

In our elementary school lunch roomwe have a table that is peanut free, no one can sit there if any thing contains nuts or possibly contains nuts. That is no prpblem, my kids know that they can sit with their friends that have allergies if they follow the rules, fine and dandy. Birthday treats? my sons one class had a kid who was allergic to nuts, we did not send him anything and the teacher pulled out the snacks set aside by his mother for such occasions.
This year my friends son is in a first grade class with a couple of kids with the peanut allergy, the one kids is fine with the special table and not eating anything he shouldn't-- the other kid? Well he prefers not to eat at the nut free table and his parents are trying to make his whole classroom go nut free at lunch (they sit by room). Time to tell junior that sometimes you can't always do what you want, and it's actually for his own health and wellfare.

 

[taximomfor4]

So we started to adjust last week and I sent him a poopyseed bagel (his fav) w/ cream cheese and a cup of strawberries for lunch.
Friday a letter comes home, the kid has been retested during the week and some addtl allergies are found.

Poppyseeds
Sesame
Flax
Sunflower
Fennel
Eggs
Strawberry
Blueberry
Cheese

Ewww...poopyseed bagels don't sound very appetizing!


On a serious note: What a tough situation to be in...for the child and his parents, as well as the class.

Beth

 

[Kae]

I bet the parents are NOT behind the new and improved list

I would think that they are, I would ask the school for proof from the Doctors. Quite a few of my kids friends are allgeric to eggs & I know form the parents not the school due to Birthday parties. The hard part is most of those things are on the healthy snack list. As for the poppy seeds have you tried any of the Thomas' Mini Bagels? the cinnimon ones are quite good. I know the only yogurt my kids will eat are Strawbery & Blueberry. After seeing that list my kids would be eating alot Golfdish cracker & cheese its, whats left.

Kae

 

[Hannathy]

I'm really amazed by all this...I'm in my 40's, have had severe nut allergies ALL my life. I didn't eat at a special table for lunch-if the kid next to me had a PBJ I switched seats so I wasn't "downwind". I brought my own lunch and NEVER traded, I ate out of my lunch box so I didn't risk contaminating anything by putting it on the table. In other words, I was taught from the age of 5 how to live in a world that contained the allergen-we wouldn't have even thought to expect the world to adjust to me.

I keep hearing about all these kids who will die if they are in any way exposed to their allergens. From what I know, having lived with it all my life and done a TON of research on the subject-instantaneous fatal reactions from casual or airborne contact with allergens are about as rare as getting struck by lightening, if not more so.

I have to think that in some of these cases there is some fear reaction on the part of the parents. My parents still talk about how terrified they were watching the few reactions I had as a child, so I can certainly understand a parent wanting to take all possible precautions. However, I also know that it is extremely important that these children learn how to live in a world that will not always adjust to their needs. A teenager died in the town next to me because he ate something at a party that he was allergic to. He had no epipen, and had never asked a question about the ingredients. He just assumed he could eat whatever was available because he had never been anywhere he couldn't. The allergists in the medical group where I go are on a mission to eliminate "nut free" schools and other allergen-free environments for children past the third grade.

Excellent post and proof that things don't have to go to such extremes and are better for all in the long run.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If your son can't even bring this stuff in his own lunch, that is ridiculous. Peanut problems can be airborne....but that other stuff, I have never heard of that.

The parent has too high of expectations.

I'm allergic to perfume..but I can't stop the world from wearing it. I'm not deathly allergic, but I can get sneezy, itchy and watery eyed and down right troubled from the scent. If I catch a wiff, I turn the other way.

I can't imagine all the allergens on that list to be life threatening for that little boy if they are in your son's lunch.

 

[DawnCt1]

First let me say that I really do sympathize for those with children with peanut allergies.

Now my son who just started 1st grade, was sent a letter before school started that there 2 kids in the class that had peanut allergies. We would not be allowed to send in any snack that contained peanuts nor would this particular class be able to have pb & j for lunch. The 2 kids will sit at the "peanut free" table but they didn't want to take any chances as one is HIGHLY allergic. I will also say that the "other" kid is Ds' BFF and they went thru prek and k together without incident.

So anyway, they included a list of appropriate brands and items for snack and asked all the parents to read all labels before buying. If the snack isn't on the list we must submit the label with the snack. So we started to adjust last week and I sent him a poopyseed bagel (his fav) w/ cream cheese and a cup of strawberries for lunch. For snack I sent approved petzels and a cheese bar.

Friday a letter comes home, the kid has been retested during the week and some addtl allergies are found.

Poppyseeds
Sesame
Flax
Sunflower
Fennel
Eggs
Strawberry
Blueberry
Cheese


Ok we are told to refrain from using the new list too.

I am trying to understand if this child is so highly allergic, how does he even go to school. It is not a peanut free school.

Also I feel like although I do not mind going peanut free, it leaves very little options for my picky 6 y/o. He loves poppy bagels, strawberries, cheese, and fruit yogurt.

I hate that it has become my responsiblity to take care of this one child.

I know I will probably get flamed, but it felt good to rant anyways.

Mu DH thinks that the kids parents should provide all the snacks if it is that severe.

You won't get flamed from me. I think your DH is right. Enough is enough!

 

[sweet angel]

I agree that it seems excessive, but I don't ever remember (as a kid) so many people being allergic to so many foods. I wonder why there seems to be such a high frequency nowadays?

 

[Mono~rail]

Are all these kids with food allergies wearing a medical alert bracelet and carrying an epipen?

 

[DMickey28]

I agree that it seems excessive, but I don't ever remember (as a kid) so many people being allergic to so many foods. I wonder why there seems to be such a high frequency nowadays?

That's what I don't get. The AAP has some many "rules" on feeding your babies and children nowadays, alot of it designed to prevent allergies and we have so many more allergies in our young children. I don't understand. When I was a baby my mom gave me whole milk @ 3 months when she stopped breastfeeding me, and smushed up verisons of whatever they were eating. I never had formula, just breast to whole milk. I have zero allergies as my brother and all of the friends I have known growing up.

My DS is 4 months old. I "listen" to the AAP but I make my own decisions for him.

I have no further advice that has not already been stated. I agree it's out of control.

 

[Kae]

That's what I don't get. The AAP has some many "rules" on feeding your babies and children nowadays, alot of it designed to prevent allergies and we have so many more allergies in our young children. I don't understand. When I was a baby my mom gave me whole milk @ 3 months when she stopped breastfeeding me, and smushed up verisons of whatever they were eating. I never had formula, just breast to whole milk. I have zero allergies as my brother and all of the friends I have known growing up.

My DS is 4 months old. I "listen" to the AAP but I make my own decisions for him.

I have no further advice that has not already been stated. I agree it's out of control.

I agree with you. The only things I watched until 1 yr was Starwberries & Fish Sticks-I have some fish issues. And fish BIL(a DR) told me that because some times fish stick are a mix.

Kae

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

In my kid's school, parens can pick their kids up for lunch everyday, if they wish. A child that highly allergic should not eat lunch in school, especialy if so many restrictions are being placed on the other students.

 

[PaulaSue]

We have a new child at preschool who hs severe peanut allergies that the lunch kids can't take any peanut products since he/she has an "air born" allergy. I worry since it is a church how are they going to keep everyone (over 1,000 people go a week, 100 + preschool kids, 2 GS troops, 5 BS troops plus all the groups they rent out the space to) who goes there in week to keep it peanut free.

Even our GS troop sells peanuts for our first fundraiser.

I wish they would homeschool the child for his/her own safety.