I need help with a peanut allergy

[ryka]

Why not switch to gift certs. from Wendy's, McD's and BK. For $1 you can get 8 coupons for a frosty. McDonald's & BK are also doing something similar but can't remember what. Do pencils and erasers and gum across the boards. If you truly want a "safe" route, this is the best bet!!!!

I got alot toys to fill them but I wanted to get him some candy type stuff cause I know he isn't going to get alot. I also see him in school when all the other kids have snacks and he tries to share with them and we have to tell him no he can't do that. He's been very upset lately that he is the only one that can't eat the school lunch and he begs me to let him get it. I'm not sure he understands totally about this allergy. He's 5 and all he sees is that his friends can have things he can't.

 

[MM27]

I had a girl last year that was highly allergic to peanuts (and many other things). I found that it was easier to buy things like pencils and other little non food items for holiday gift bags. Also, when I saw the offers in Scholastic where you get a free book for each child in your class when you place an order, I would save those free books until holidays. The kids loved them.

Be very careful if you have kids bring items in for parties. Even with several letters home during the year and a note before every class party, I had a child that brought Snickers in to pass out at Halloween. Luckily my class was totally on top of the allergy thing and they told me about it when I went to pick my class up in the morning. The Snickers never even made it into my classroom. They sat in the office until the end of the day and were sent home with a note.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

One of my son's closest friends has a peanut allergy. I've asked his mom what to put in his goodie bags and she says Lay's potato chips so that's what he gets. He is not a sweets eater, so it makes it a little easier.

 

[ryka]

One of my son's closest friends has a peanut allergy. I've asked his mom what to put in his goodie bags and she says Lay's potato chips so that's what he gets. He is not a sweets eater, so it makes it a little easier.

I didn't even think of those. Thanks

 

[outlander]

Since you see this boy often, if not everyday, you could ask him what his favorite treats and snacks are. Make a list of what you KNOW he likes and then you can add little things to it if you wish.

 

[KariC]

Nerds, Runts, Laffy Taffy, Starburst, Twizzlers, Bubble Gum, Lifesavers, Pixie Sticks, Blow Pops - anything non-chocolate - are all items that are safe. We have had to deal w/peanut allergies in the past (both my classroom and someone in DS's) and have found those items to be safe and on the "approved" list that the mother of the child w/nut allergies sent in.

I hate giving out candy at Halloween to my students and think the kids get enough of that when they go trick or treating. I usually give my students Halloween pencils, cool erasers, stickers, crayons, spider rings and the certificates for fries at BK, frosty's at Wendy's.

I'm so glad you posted this! I think that's the best way to go. How do you support healthy behaviors, then give the kids tons of candy? Not to say we're opposed to candy.....it's just too much when they bring it home from school too!

 

[disykat]

A big thank you to all the teachers who DON'T give my children candy!

 

[outlander]

A big thank you to all the teachers who DON'T give my children candy!

Ditto! BIG THANKS!!!

 

[ryka]

Well not trying to get into a discussion about giving candy in schools but around here we don't trick or treat at houses. We have alot of apartment buildings and you really can't get in there. So kids here t or t on our main street at the stores. They really don't get alot of candy. So I do give out bags with some candy in it. Most of the stuff is toys and coloring books. I ordered a bunch of stuff from oriental trading.

 

[christineann]

My nephew is allergic to peanuts and all tree nuts, and he carries an epi-pen everywhere. He goes to a peanut free elementary school, but he knows he still has to be careful, and the school staff is trained on how to use an epi-pen. There is a "fake" epi-pen that can be used for training.

As a kindergarten teacher, I had to administer an epi-pen to a child who had been stung by ants, and it was very easy to use. I know it hurt, so I had him sing the ABC's with me while I was holding the pen to his leg.

I like the idea of the Frosty coupons - will pick up some of those!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Also SweetTarts, candy corn, gummy bears, Life Savers, Sour Patch Kids.

 

[lemondog]

NO chocolate! I had a child with a severe peanut allergy in my class last year, and things like suckers and hard candy were safe. But I would still try and contact the mom. If you can't, try and get him some non-food treats like stickers, small Halloween toys, etc.

 

[Doe]

Also SweetTarts, candy corn, gummy bears, Life Savers, Sour Patch Kids.

Be careful with the candy corn and gummy bears. Many of those have a may contain or manufactured in a facility.....warning on them. Unfortunately with peanut allergy you have to assume it's in everything until you've checked the ingredients label.

 

[NCDisneyMom]

As the Mom of two kids, both with peanut allergies, I would sing the praises of a teacher who gives out something besides candy. But, that is just me.

Be careful with Hershey's these days, including the Kissables. Some of them now contain Shea oil, which may or may not be a nut derivitive (sp?). Our allergist has advised to avoid Shea oil, since it comes from a Shea nut. Some packages of Kissables now have Shea oil in them, much to the disappointment of both of my kids. And, since it's not "officially" a nut, the packages are not labeled for nut allergy. It's very disheartening. And, not all of the Kisses are safe, either. The original ones should be, but many of the "seasonal" ones have "may contain" warnings on them, as they will be processed in a different facility than the regular ones.

As far as what candy is safe that I allow my kids to eat: Skittles, Sweet Tarts, Dum Dum Lolipops, Starburst, Smarties, Laffy Taffy, Tootsie Roll Pops...that's all I can think of right now.

If you do not hear back from the parents, though, I would be very hesitant on giving the boy anything without their approval.

 

[ryka]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I sent a letter home with him. I received a note back today saying that he isn't allergic to all nuts. Just cashews. She just doesn't give him any type of nuts to be on the safe side though. So as long as I don't put nuts on any cupcakes then he should be find. He could even have peanut butter if something had it in it but I still won't take the chance. She even said things with peanut oil are fine.