To go with the Peanut Butter thread: Do you think that PBJs should be banned...

[carrie s]

Theres a kid with a severe peanut allergy in my DS class.It does make it really hard when making my DS lunch,he is a very picky eatter,but thats ok.I just think about what this boys mom goes through,how much she must worry when her son is at school.
My DD has celiac(she cant have wheat,rye,barley and oats), so I can understand a little bit of what parents who have kids with peanut allergys go through,but if my DD accidently gets abit of wheat,she wont die from it,she will just feel sick for a few days.

 

[Schmeck]

Romney can not change federal law-- if a child has a life threatening allergy- the school must make accomodations. If the situation remains life threatening for the child- then the school is in breach of federal law-- no matter what the state law says. The parent can agree to any accomodation and often the schools bully parents in the taking less then is necessary to keep their kids safe.

What the state does is put a case into mediation if the parents do not think the plan the school system has for the child isn't good enough. They publish them online now - I'll try to find a link if you want proof.

It's not about NOT making accomodations, it's about the level reached. As in, a child with a peanut allergy is sent to our peanut sensitive elementary school, if the parent agrees. If the parent wants the kid sent to a different school, and wants to make that school peanut sensitive too, and the school system does not agree, then it goes to mediation, and the state decides if the one school is enough to offer and if the accomodations are met.

Another example - there's a private school that costs over $100,000 a year for one student, not counting transportation. A parent insists that's the best place for his/her child. But the school system insists that they can provide for the accomodations at the public school. They can't agree, it goes to mediation.

This is not about getting no accomodations, it's about creating a balance between what the parents want (which is the best for their child, but can be over-the-top overkill as well) and what a community can afford, and what will help a child with special needs reach a self-sufficient potential if that child realistically can.

 

[disneyandme]

The original post I was commenting on stated that a severly peanut allergic child was place in a room with another special needs child who would only eat peanut butter and crackers. This was not about expensive private school requests or unreasonable accomodations. Putting a child in a life threatening situation is not reasonable nor in the best interests of that child. I am sure even MA mediators would agree to a parents requests for better arrangements under these circumstances.

 

[Schmeck]

The original post I was commenting on stated that a severly peanut allergic child was place in a room with another special needs child who would only eat peanut butter and crackers. This was not about expensive private school requests or unreasonable accomodations. Putting a child in a life threatening situation is not reasonable nor in the best interests of that child. I am sure even MA mediators would agree to a parents requests for better arrangements under these circumstances.

They were not in the same classroom - just the same school. If I wrote that they were in the same classroom (they were in the same class, meaning the same grade) then I apologize.

 

[disneyandme]

Same school makes a lot more sense. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[MamaOfTwoPrincesses]

I've been reading this thread with interest, as my dd will be starting kindergarten this fall. She is allergic to peants, tree nuts, and sesame, among other things.

I have to say that my biggest concern is that her allergies will become a social issue. She will be forced to eat lunch at the nut free table. Every day. Now, I'm sure that there will be other children there too, but it breaks my heart to know that she won't be able to eat lunch with her best friend if that friend's parents didn't remember to pack a safe lunch. It just makes me so sad to think of my little girl eating lunch alone.

Another issue that I have not seen on this thread is riding the bus to school. In our district, bus drivers are not permitted to carry Epi Pens. Students are not supposed to eat on the bus, but we all know that this is difficult to monitor. Plus, there is no guarantee that every chlid has washed their hands before boaridng the bus. I am planning to ask the bus driver to give my daughter an assigned seat in the front so that she can be monitored. Again, this presents a social stigma, but I need to have peace of mind during her bus trip to school.

All of my friends are nervous about sending their children to kindergarten this year, but I have an added level of anxiety that truly keeps my up at night.

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

Do I think peanuts/PB should be banned? NO Do I think they will? YES

I think all schools will start banning any peanut items. By the time the babies of today are in high school you won't be able to buy PB in the grocery store.

I think banning PB starts a snowball for the school. If your kids is allergic to PB so the school bans it why is all wheat not banned for my kid?

Another thing is people just don't realise what goes into every day foods. I had a friend who's DD is allergic to eggs. Most people didn't know mayonnaise has eggs in it.

My DD was in preschool last yr. One of the kids was allergic to nuts, dairy, egg, wheat and something else? We had to plan snacks around this.

Personally if my child had a life threatening allergy I would homeschool. I would not trust a bunch of strangers to prevent a reaction or act quickly enough to save their life if a reaction happened.

 

[MM27]

I had a student this past school year that had severe peanut allergies. They made my classroom peanut free, but the kids were able to bring peanut products for lunch. My class has two tables for lunch. One was designated peanut free (other classes in the school were peanut free too so nobody was using this table for anything that would involve peanuts) Letters were sent home in the beginning of the school year informing parents about the allergy. My kids were on top of it too. One day they were eating snack in the classroom and one of the girls had a Little Debbie snack with peanut butter. The other kids acted quickly on that one. It's nice to see when they stick up for a classmate.

 

[mickeylove2]

I've been reading this thread with interest, as my dd will be starting kindergarten this fall. She is allergic to peants, tree nuts, and sesame, among other things.

I have to say that my biggest concern is that her allergies will become a social issue. She will be forced to eat lunch at the nut free table. Every day. Now, I'm sure that there will be other children there too, but it breaks my heart to know that she won't be able to eat lunch with her best friend if that friend's parents didn't remember to pack a safe lunch. It just makes me so sad to think of my little girl eating lunch alone.

Another issue that I have not seen on this thread is riding the bus to school. In our district, bus drivers are not permitted to carry Epi Pens. Students are not supposed to eat on the bus, but we all know that this is difficult to monitor. Plus, there is no guarantee that every chlid has washed their hands before boaridng the bus. I am planning to ask the bus driver to give my daughter an assigned seat in the front so that she can be monitored. Again, this presents a social stigma, but I need to have peace of mind during her bus trip to school.

All of my friends are nervous about sending their children to kindergarten this year, but I have an added level of anxiety that truly keeps my up at night.

I don't know if this helps, but on my DDs bus ALL of the kids have assigned seats and the kindergarteners are up front anyway so maybe you could request this from the bus driver and if he/she says no way you could go to the bus company...it's not too much to ask that the kids be assigned a seat as it keeps them from fighting over which seat they want. My DD and her best friend have a seat assigned together up front and they love it!

 

[mrs.beast]

I've been reading this thread with interest, as my dd will be starting kindergarten this fall. She is allergic to peants, tree nuts, and sesame, among other things.

I have to say that my biggest concern is that her allergies will become a social issue. She will be forced to eat lunch at the nut free table. Every day. Now, I'm sure that there will be other children there too, but it breaks my heart to know that she won't be able to eat lunch with her best friend if that friend's parents didn't remember to pack a safe lunch. It just makes me so sad to think of my little girl eating lunch alone.

Another issue that I have not seen on this thread is riding the bus to school. In our district, bus drivers are not permitted to carry Epi Pens. Students are not supposed to eat on the bus, but we all know that this is difficult to monitor. Plus, there is no guarantee that every chlid has washed their hands before boaridng the bus. I am planning to ask the bus driver to give my daughter an assigned seat in the front so that she can be monitored. Again, this presents a social stigma, but I need to have peace of mind during her bus trip to school.

All of my friends are nervous about sending their children to kindergarten this year, but I have an added level of anxiety that truly keeps my up at night.

In CA if you have a severe allergy you can ask for a 504 plan for accommodation. This is where you can ask for things like a designated keyboard for the computer lab, how to deal with an emergency, hand washing for the room etc, In this plan it can be written that the bus driver must wipe down your daughter's seat every day when she boards the bus. I know that I had it added to the plan for my student that the math teacher wipe down her desk every day when she arrived for math (she was in advanced math and left my room,) so i know that it can be added here. you should check into it. if you are not sure where to begin, call the school and ask for the 504 coordinator and ask what the procedures are for getting a 504 plan for dealing with severe allergies. they will require a doctor's note with specific info. but that should be easy to get.

 

[Aristomommy]

I have to say that my biggest concern is that her allergies will become a social issue. She will be forced to eat lunch at the nut free table. Every day. Now, I'm sure that there will be other children there too, but it breaks my heart to know that she won't be able to eat lunch with her best friend if that friend's parents didn't remember to pack a safe lunch. It just makes me so sad to think of my little girl eating lunch alone.

I am sorry about your child's allergies. I have two children with asthma and various allergies (no nut allergy). The unfortunate aspect of having a child with a medical condition is that it often will limit something their peers can do. My children cannot eat certain foods, they take medication that tastes horrible, they often begin coughing very loudly (more like barking) if they enter a building with strong odors. I understand the social aspect of this issue. My children know that this makes them have to miss things that other children get to enjoy, but I don't think this makes a big impact in their social development.

I doubt any school will have a child eating lunch all alone. At DDs school they literally have about 15 minutes to eat by the time all the kids sit down, open all the containers etc. I volunteer sometimes at lunch and there is hardly any significant social interaction, it's mostly eating and asking lunch moms and dads for help Most schools are so rushed for time, the lunch time is getting shorter and shorter...

 

[Doc CW]

Do I think peanuts/PB should be banned? NO Do I think they will? YES

I think all schools will start banning any peanut items. By the time the babies of today are in high school you won't be able to buy PB in the grocery store.

I think banning PB starts a snowball for the school. If your kids is allergic to PB so the school bans it why is all wheat not banned for my kid?

Another thing is people just don't realise what goes into every day foods. I had a friend who's DD is allergic to eggs. Most people didn't know mayonnaise has eggs in it.

My DD was in preschool last yr. One of the kids was allergic to nuts, dairy, egg, wheat and something else? We had to plan snacks around this.

Personally if my child had a life threatening allergy I would homeschool. I would not trust a bunch of strangers to prevent a reaction or act quickly enough to save their life if a reaction happened.

I agree if it was a life threatening allergy that I would homeschool.

 

[Kimkimba]

I do not think PBJs should be banned from school. As with any condition or disability, the person who has it needs to learn to deal and live in the everyday world if they want to function in that world.

I have an almost 10 yo ds, who has asthma and many allergies, one of them being peanuts. He is EXTREMELY aware of his allergies, and overall it does not affect his everyday living. Does he sit at the peanut-free table at lunch and visit the nurse regularly for his asthma inhaler - yes, of course. Does he have friends who eat peanut butter - of course.

Why trust anyone to watch your kids in general (to those that would homeschool in this situation)? There are so many situations in which we wouldn't want someone else in charge of our children. But my son KNOWS his situation, and what to do ICE.

Oh, and my ds's teacher, principal, school nurse, guidance counselor, and specialists aren't strangers to my family. They are trusted individuals, unlike some parents and people that live in our neighborhood. I know the difference, and so does my son.

 

[cinderella73]

Do I think peanuts/PB should be banned? NO Do I think they will? YES

I think all schools will start banning any peanut items. By the time the babies of today are in high school you won't be able to buy PB in the grocery store.

I think banning PB starts a snowball for the school. If your kids is allergic to PB so the school bans it why is all wheat not banned for my kid?

Another thing is people just don't realise what goes into every day foods. I had a friend who's DD is allergic to eggs. Most people didn't know mayonnaise has eggs in it.

My DD was in preschool last yr. One of the kids was allergic to nuts, dairy, egg, wheat and something else? We had to plan snacks around this.

Personally if my child had a life threatening allergy I would homeschool. I would not trust a bunch of strangers to prevent a reaction or act quickly enough to save their life if a reaction happened.

I seriously have to stay out of this thread. If you go and read everything thats been said here about why peanut butter in particular is of a concern then maybe you wouldnt be saying the things you are. We are not talking about banning all major food groups here. Just the things that are of particular concern due to the residue they leave behind and therefore increase risk tremendously to the children . Please read up before posting so you know what you are talking about.

Also I do homeschool my allergic child. But ONLY because I can. What about the moms who have to support their children all by themselves? Stop thinking of other people's problems a inconvience to you . You should have more compassion for others suffering. Your child is fortunate enough to not have to experience this. But imagine if she had to and you couldnt homeschool due to finances? I bet you wouldnt be talking the way you are now. You would be right here agreeing with us. Believe me its different when the shoe is on the other foot.

I am on here defending these familys that have to deal with this within the school system and my child is homeschooled . I cant imagine what goes through the head of these parents when they have to send their kids off to school everyday . The worry would kill me.

To make a parent of a allergic child feel bad because they cannot homeschool for personal reasons is terrible. All children have a right to a safe school environment , my children , your children , and their children.

 

[SeptemberGirl]

All children have a right to a safe school environment , my children , your children , and their children.

Yes! I agree.

My child is not allergic, but I have subscribed to this thread and read every post to be informed about the issue of tree nut allergies, esp. peanut, and to get ideas about what kid-friendly/picky-eater lunch foods I could expose her to now, while she is 3, so that when she is 7, she can eat her lunch and not put anyone else's child in danger.

I wouldn't want her preferences to become something that could hurt another child - and I would expect other parents to care about my child's safety, too.

Thanks for all those alternative lunch ideas! We also read the book Bread and Jam for Francis, so she can see that it's good to eat a variety of things. It's easy to make her PB&J, but that ease for me is not worth the harm it could cause to another.

 

[cinderella73]

I do not think PBJs should be banned from school. As with any condition or disability, the person who has it needs to learn to deal and live in the everyday world if they want to function in that world.

I have an almost 10 yo ds, who has asthma and many allergies, one of them being peanuts. He is EXTREMELY aware of his allergies, and overall it does not affect his everyday living. Does he sit at the peanut-free table at lunch and visit the nurse regularly for his asthma inhaler - yes, of course. Does he have friends who eat peanut butter - of course.

Why trust anyone to watch your kids in general (to those that would homeschool in this situation)? There are so many situations in which we wouldn't want someone else in charge of our children. But my son KNOWS his situation, and what to do ICE.

Oh, and my ds's teacher, principal, school nurse, guidance counselor, and specialists aren't strangers to my family. They are trusted individuals, unlike some parents and people that live in our neighborhood. I know the difference, and so does my son.

First of all do you think banning Pb sandwhichs will mean that these familys are NOT having to deal with it?


No matter how smart or on the ball your son is its just like driving . Its not always about how skilled you are. But how ignorant of your condtion the people around you may be. Look at the case of the teenage girl who dies after kissing her Bf who had eaten a Pb sandwhich earlier that day. She didnt know what he had eaten. It was enough to kill her. Her Bf knew she was allergic but didnt understand how the allergy worked ( like most people) . Not that its is fault really he was just a kid himself. But the point is its not about just the child being aware.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Smarts , being on the ball, being educated in how to deal with a reaction, these are all tools in dealing with the allergy. But these things wont help if you have the bad luck of setting your hand into Pb residue on a table in a lunch room and dying from a bad reaction.

People , sometimes a Epi Pen wont work! Its not a cure. Its dangerous in itself. Shooting this into a child is scary. Its just a PB sandwhich!



A couple people on here have bragged about how well their kids handle dealing with it in a public school system ,and they trust them , and they are so smart etc.... . I doubt that all allergic children children are super genius kids that can take on the world like yours. Sorry , but most kids need protecting and most moms want to protect. Even if you think your's doesnt need it. No one would make you accept protection for your child. But it doesnt mean my child isnt entitled to it. Nor does it mean my child will taught to be lax in their awareness of risk whenever around food even when told its safe. This is a running theme through a allergy sufferers life. When told its safe , still doubt!

When we got gas the other day the lady handing us our change was eating peanuts out of her hand. Do you think banning PB's will make us not know how to deal with the reality of peanuts in the everyday world? If anyone thinks that maybe they need to try checking into the " real world" themselves! We never get a break from it! We cant even go into a restroom at a store without being careful. We found nut shells all over the floor! We rearrange and compromise our plans and life enough. When it comes to a child getting a safe education , its time to stop compromising.

Not trying to be rude to you at all here just trying to make a point. There are no easy answers . But the worst thing we can do is nothing at all.

 

[annie1995]

Thankfully I have not had to deal with a child that is allergic to any foods. Now with that being said, I have not given certain foods to my 1 year old. I am holding off on several till he's at least 3 just to be safe. But I would totally be all for it if our school went peanut free. We have peanut free tables right now, but thats it. I couldn't imagine the worry I would go through if it were my child that were deathly allergic to peanuts, knowing that there could be possible exposure from the classroom. I'll bet that as time goes by, more and more schools will have to ban it altogether.

 

[cinderella73]

Yes! I agree.

My child is not allergic, but I have subscribed to this thread and read every post to be informed about the issue of tree nut allergies, esp. peanut, and to get ideas about what kid-friendly/picky-eater lunch foods I could expose her to now, while she is 3, so that when she is 7, she can eat her lunch and not put anyone else's child in danger.

I wouldn't want her preferences to become something that could hurt another child - and I would expect other parents to care about my child's safety, too.

Thanks for all those alternative lunch ideas! We also read the book Bread and Jam for Francis, so she can see that it's good to eat a variety of things. It's easy to make her PB&J, but that ease for me is not worth the harm it could cause to another.

Thank you for that! I am starting to feel like such a fire breathing dragon on here. And I am not . I am really just a mom who loves her children . I want to see all children safe and happy and healthy! Thank you for caring so much for my childs saftey. That means so much to me you couldnt even know.


I actually just found a great book with lots of snack and meal ideas for kids. I dont want to Hijack the thread anymore than I have . I feel so bad about it. But I will start a new thread with the ideas in it and pm you the link if you like? I am headed off to bed so I wont get to it till tommorrow. My kids are soooo picky and they had some cute ideas. Still working on my younger one with the veggies though! Start her young liking those! It worked with my 2 others but my youngest likes to give me heck! lol

Thank you again. Its nice to know people do care! You always have a friend here on the Dis boards.

 

[Hannathy]

Look at the case of the teenage girl who dies after kissing her Bf who had eaten a Pb sandwhich earlier that day. She didnt know what he had eaten. It was enough to kill her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Actually this is false the coroner said she did not die from her peanut allergy and asked the media to quit spreading this around. I'm surprised you haven't read this since you seem to be dealing with this area.

I'm sorry for all the kids dealing with this but there will always be somebody allergic to something and we can't ban everything. I think providing a safe table that is for sure safe is the most reasonable and most easily monitored answer to this situation. I mean what is next not allowing any kids to go outside for recess because someone is severely allergic to bees and they can't be made to feel left out if other kids go out? Not meaning to be flip but just real. Keep the very very few children this affect this severely safe and be able to monitor it or try to monitor an entire school of kids and not be able to do it well and not keep anyone safe. Let's face it what school has the funds to be checking lunches everyday, who is going to do it? the 3 aides for 600 kids?

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

I seriously have to stay out of this thread. If you go and read everything thats been said here about why peanut butter in particular is of a concern then maybe you wouldnt be saying the things you are. We are not talking about banning all major food groups here. Just the things that are of particular concern due to the residue they leave behind and therefore increase risk tremendously to the children . Please read up before posting so you know what you are talking about.

Also I do homeschool my allergic child. But ONLY because I can. What about the moms who have to support their children all by themselves? Stop thinking of other people's problems a inconvience to you . You should have more compassion for others suffering. Your child is fortunate enough to not have to experience this. But imagine if she had to and you couldnt homeschool due to finances? I bet you wouldnt be talking the way you are now. You would be right here agreeing with us. Believe me its different when the shoe is on the other foot.

I am on here defending these familys that have to deal with this within the school system and my child is homeschooled . I cant imagine what goes through the head of these parents when they have to send their kids off to school everyday . The worry would kill me.

To make a parent of a allergic child feel bad because they cannot homeschool for personal reasons is terrible. All children have a right to a safe school environment , my children , your children , and their children.

Did you read what I said because your post to me makes no sense???

You don't know me so don't ASSUME I made any comments as an inconvience. I happen to BE a single mom of 2 kids. You have no idea what suffering anyone deals with so maybe you should think before you go off into left field.