mommyof5
02-25-2003, 07:56 AM
Hi everyone, I was wondering if your in the same situation?
The school my children attend does not allow you to send peanut butter sandwiches for lunch because of other childrens' allegies to it (this includes granola bars with peanuts, muffins with peanuts, peanut butter cookies,etc. You get the idea. If you do you're sent home a note NOT to do it. (They worry about the kids swapping food - which they do). My kids love peanut butter!, not as an everyday thing but shouldn't I be given the right to send it?
I understand it's dangerous for the other children but they don't say anything about eggs, eggs sandwiches, tuna fish sandwiches, etc. what about the children who are allergic to those and other things?
My own daughter is not allowed grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or anything containing grapefruit (not that many kids like the stuff anyway) because it will interact with her medication (tegretal) and make it toxic. So last year (kindergarten) I taught her not to swap foods or to ask a lunchroom monitor before accepting any food ar drink from other kids. Why can't other parents teach there kids to do the same?
Sorry if I seem in a huff about this but I've been dealing with this for 7 years now and it's always only "peanut butter" that's an issue! Aren't allergies to fish, seafood,wheat and eggs just as bad and should be a concern?
Oh, maybe I just need to vent but I still don't think it's fair :mad:. I'd like to hear from others about there lunch food rules, if there are any or not?
mommyof5
The school my children attend does not allow you to send peanut butter sandwiches for lunch because of other childrens' allegies to it (this includes granola bars with peanuts, muffins with peanuts, peanut butter cookies,etc. You get the idea. If you do you're sent home a note NOT to do it. (They worry about the kids swapping food - which they do). My kids love peanut butter!, not as an everyday thing but shouldn't I be given the right to send it?
I understand it's dangerous for the other children but they don't say anything about eggs, eggs sandwiches, tuna fish sandwiches, etc. what about the children who are allergic to those and other things?
My own daughter is not allowed grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or anything containing grapefruit (not that many kids like the stuff anyway) because it will interact with her medication (tegretal) and make it toxic. So last year (kindergarten) I taught her not to swap foods or to ask a lunchroom monitor before accepting any food ar drink from other kids. Why can't other parents teach there kids to do the same?
Sorry if I seem in a huff about this but I've been dealing with this for 7 years now and it's always only "peanut butter" that's an issue! Aren't allergies to fish, seafood,wheat and eggs just as bad and should be a concern?
Oh, maybe I just need to vent but I still don't think it's fair :mad:. I'd like to hear from others about there lunch food rules, if there are any or not?
mommyof5
Sponsor
kellaz3
02-25-2003, 08:51 AM
Hi Mommyof5,
My children's school is the SAME way and my oldest is bummed she can't bring her peanut butter crackers to school for snack.
However, being the parent of another child with bad food allergies, I do agree with the school. Some children have such bad reaction to peanuts, that even being NEAR them could cause them to have throat swelling. My son is HIGHLY allergic to citrus fruit: Oranges, pineapple, lemons, etc., and also carrots!!!! If he has any of those items it is a medical emergency!!!
Yes, seafood is another highly allergic food, and the reason being that's not eliminated at school is because who's going to bring THAT?? :) Peanuts/peanut butter is eliminated at school, because let's face it, ninety-nine percent of kids actually eat that.
Most children with allergies know not to eat them. But just being around them can cause a severe allergy outbreak and then there's a situation at hand.
All parents need to respect school rules and policies regarding highly allergic foods like peanuts. You could save a child's life!!
Kelly
My children's school is the SAME way and my oldest is bummed she can't bring her peanut butter crackers to school for snack.
However, being the parent of another child with bad food allergies, I do agree with the school. Some children have such bad reaction to peanuts, that even being NEAR them could cause them to have throat swelling. My son is HIGHLY allergic to citrus fruit: Oranges, pineapple, lemons, etc., and also carrots!!!! If he has any of those items it is a medical emergency!!!
Yes, seafood is another highly allergic food, and the reason being that's not eliminated at school is because who's going to bring THAT?? :) Peanuts/peanut butter is eliminated at school, because let's face it, ninety-nine percent of kids actually eat that.
Most children with allergies know not to eat them. But just being around them can cause a severe allergy outbreak and then there's a situation at hand.
All parents need to respect school rules and policies regarding highly allergic foods like peanuts. You could save a child's life!!
Kelly
Greenberry
02-25-2003, 09:26 AM
It makes me angry to hear of things like this. I assume that your children go to public school. Perhaps I am mistaken about that, but public schools seem much worse about making rules that cater to the lowest common denominator and punish the more responsible. If my child had an allergy so severe that she would DIE if she was in the same room with a peanut butter sandwich, I think that rather than impose her problem on a school full of hundreds of children, perhaps it would be better to homeschool or make other arrangements for her education. But hey, that's just me!
kellaz3
02-25-2003, 10:45 AM
To reiterate, schools usually only impose this rule in the classroom ONLY as it is a smaller environment and when there's a class party. If parents are bringing in items for a class party, the "allergic child" may not be aware of the ingredients in the food.
Now, the cafeteria is a different story. Peanut butter sandwiches are offered in my childrens' cafeteria. Why? Probably because it's a larger area and obviously the child knows not to order that item, and the sandwiches are wrapped so it doesn't touch another food.
Homeschooling would be an ideal situation, but not everyone can do that, Greenberry. Also, peanut allergies are not the lowest common denominator. Peanut allergies make up over half of food allergies in children. A lot of children outgrow allergies at a certain point as well.
I don't think any child without allergies will suffer if they can't have peanut products. They can eat them at home. There are lots of other snacks to choose from to bring to school. All parents should respect the child with the allergies in the classroom.
My son has allergies to certain fruits and carrots. He knows not to eat them EVER. However, I have an EPI pen in the classroom and in the nurse's office along with Benadryl.
Until you have a child with severe food allergies, please please don't judge. It can be a dangerous condition!!
Kelly
Now, the cafeteria is a different story. Peanut butter sandwiches are offered in my childrens' cafeteria. Why? Probably because it's a larger area and obviously the child knows not to order that item, and the sandwiches are wrapped so it doesn't touch another food.
Homeschooling would be an ideal situation, but not everyone can do that, Greenberry. Also, peanut allergies are not the lowest common denominator. Peanut allergies make up over half of food allergies in children. A lot of children outgrow allergies at a certain point as well.
I don't think any child without allergies will suffer if they can't have peanut products. They can eat them at home. There are lots of other snacks to choose from to bring to school. All parents should respect the child with the allergies in the classroom.
My son has allergies to certain fruits and carrots. He knows not to eat them EVER. However, I have an EPI pen in the classroom and in the nurse's office along with Benadryl.
Until you have a child with severe food allergies, please please don't judge. It can be a dangerous condition!!
Kelly
Chelle1977
02-25-2003, 11:28 AM
I think they ban peanuts and peanutbutter because, as someone already mentioned, just being around it can cause deadly reactions. I don't think many other allergies are that severe. And as Kellaz pointed out, allergies to PB are more common.
Shouldn't children who are deathly allergic to PB and peanuts be able to attend a PUBLIC school, free of fear? Feed you kids PB toast for breakfast or in sandwiches on Saturday.
Shouldn't children who are deathly allergic to PB and peanuts be able to attend a PUBLIC school, free of fear? Feed you kids PB toast for breakfast or in sandwiches on Saturday.
mommyof5
02-25-2003, 11:31 AM
I didn't mean to be judgemental, I just think perhaps there could be a way the schools could make it possible. I DO RESPECT THE "RULES". But it also puts a damper on my children because I have to check every snack I buy them for peanuts or traces of nuts and it eliminates a lot of stuff! But I'm sure nobody makes sure there isn't grapefruit juice in THEIR child's juice (five-alive, etc) to protect my dd from the toxic reaction that may happen because of her meds!
mommyof5
mommyof5
kellaz3
02-25-2003, 12:11 PM
Hi again,
Yes, Mommyof5, I know what you mean about why can't they accommodate other allergies. However, again, peanut butter and peanut allergies make up over half of all childhood allergies. We have to raise responsible children to teach them what to eat and what not to eat. For your child to come into contact with grapefruit juice at school is practically nil.
You can do what I have done regarding my son's fruit and carrot allergy: Type out your list and give it to the teacher so she can have it on hand, and have her pass it out to the room mothers and/or all the parents in the class. Most parents will respect your request.
I'm in a little different situation with my son's carrot allergy as carrots are always offered at school as a side dish and in the tossed salad. My son enjoys salad alot, and I even asked the cafeteria and then the district if he could get salad without the mixed-in tiny carrot shavings in there and they couldn't accommodate him. Oh well, not the end of the world. He eats salad at home now and not at lunch time at school. He obviously foregoes the carrots when it's a side dish at school or when it's baked in something like a pot pie. They know who he is in the cafeteria and remind him when he can't order the hot meal. They even have his picture in the cafeteria behind the counter so they ALL know he can't have carrots!
You can make these same accommodations for your daughter regarding her grapefruit issue.
Good luck,
Kelly
Yes, Mommyof5, I know what you mean about why can't they accommodate other allergies. However, again, peanut butter and peanut allergies make up over half of all childhood allergies. We have to raise responsible children to teach them what to eat and what not to eat. For your child to come into contact with grapefruit juice at school is practically nil.
You can do what I have done regarding my son's fruit and carrot allergy: Type out your list and give it to the teacher so she can have it on hand, and have her pass it out to the room mothers and/or all the parents in the class. Most parents will respect your request.
I'm in a little different situation with my son's carrot allergy as carrots are always offered at school as a side dish and in the tossed salad. My son enjoys salad alot, and I even asked the cafeteria and then the district if he could get salad without the mixed-in tiny carrot shavings in there and they couldn't accommodate him. Oh well, not the end of the world. He eats salad at home now and not at lunch time at school. He obviously foregoes the carrots when it's a side dish at school or when it's baked in something like a pot pie. They know who he is in the cafeteria and remind him when he can't order the hot meal. They even have his picture in the cafeteria behind the counter so they ALL know he can't have carrots!
You can make these same accommodations for your daughter regarding her grapefruit issue.
Good luck,
Kelly
mommyof5
02-25-2003, 12:32 PM
Kellaz3,
My daughters' school, staff, monitors, etc. are aware of this but that doesn't mean the other kids are! She has been taught not to swap food or accept anything from other kids. Are the children with the peanut/nut allergies taught just the same or is it just left to the parents of the children without the allergies to take the responsability? What if my daughter has peanut butter on toast for breakfast but doesn't wash up properly and then sits beside your child on the schoolbus... what will happen? (just curious).
I do respect the "rules" as I said before but couldn't they accomidate the peanut allergy kids (since it can be fatal) with a special section? like a " non peanut/nut" section as they do in restaurants ex: "non smoking section"? Or am I sounding silly now?
mommyof5
My daughters' school, staff, monitors, etc. are aware of this but that doesn't mean the other kids are! She has been taught not to swap food or accept anything from other kids. Are the children with the peanut/nut allergies taught just the same or is it just left to the parents of the children without the allergies to take the responsability? What if my daughter has peanut butter on toast for breakfast but doesn't wash up properly and then sits beside your child on the schoolbus... what will happen? (just curious).
I do respect the "rules" as I said before but couldn't they accomidate the peanut allergy kids (since it can be fatal) with a special section? like a " non peanut/nut" section as they do in restaurants ex: "non smoking section"? Or am I sounding silly now?
mommyof5
kellaz3
02-25-2003, 01:13 PM
Mommyof5,
You are so funny! :)
I understand what you mean about not washing hands after handling peanut butter, but that's really stretching it about "what-ifs".
We should all teach our kids not to swap food PERIOD. Whether you have an allergy or not.
They cannot make kids with allergies sit in another location; that's discrimination.
It boils down to us all teaching our kids not to swap food anyway and why that's a bad idea. Like I said twice before, peanut allergy is one of the most highly allergic foods other than the shellfish allergy. You will find peanut products at schools more than you would find, say, shellfish, and that's why it's an issue. Peanut products are found in almost everything and if we can eliminate it at schools in the classroom, there won't be a situation.
Now, for people with other allergies, I know it seems like accomodations aren't made. The reason being is because these foods aren't as common at school among children. That's when it becomes the responsbility of the parent to teach the child about those potential dangers. It also becomes the responsiblity of the parent to inform the teacher, "my child is allergic to such and such, please tell the room mothers so they don't select that food in party trays for class parties".
With that said, have your children enjoy their peanut products at home or on the weekends! :)
kelly
You are so funny! :)
I understand what you mean about not washing hands after handling peanut butter, but that's really stretching it about "what-ifs".
We should all teach our kids not to swap food PERIOD. Whether you have an allergy or not.
They cannot make kids with allergies sit in another location; that's discrimination.
It boils down to us all teaching our kids not to swap food anyway and why that's a bad idea. Like I said twice before, peanut allergy is one of the most highly allergic foods other than the shellfish allergy. You will find peanut products at schools more than you would find, say, shellfish, and that's why it's an issue. Peanut products are found in almost everything and if we can eliminate it at schools in the classroom, there won't be a situation.
Now, for people with other allergies, I know it seems like accomodations aren't made. The reason being is because these foods aren't as common at school among children. That's when it becomes the responsbility of the parent to teach the child about those potential dangers. It also becomes the responsiblity of the parent to inform the teacher, "my child is allergic to such and such, please tell the room mothers so they don't select that food in party trays for class parties".
With that said, have your children enjoy their peanut products at home or on the weekends! :)
kelly
CindyA
02-25-2003, 01:26 PM
Originally posted by mommyof5:
Hi everyone, I was wondering if your in the same situation?
Oh, maybe I just need to vent but I still don't think it's fair :mad:. I'd like to hear from others about there lunch food rules, if there are any or not?
mommyof5
Mommy of 5,
I have never heard of something so ridiculous!!! My daughter is in 7th grade and we've never been told she could not bring certain foods to school. I agree with you 100% -- you educate your OWN children as to what they can and cannot eat and that they are NOT to swap with those foods. I would be very tempted to seriously oppose such a blanket rule which punishes so many more than the one or two it helps. Without looking up stats, does anybody know the percentage of people who are allergic to peanuts?
Hi everyone, I was wondering if your in the same situation?
Oh, maybe I just need to vent but I still don't think it's fair :mad:. I'd like to hear from others about there lunch food rules, if there are any or not?
mommyof5
Mommy of 5,
I have never heard of something so ridiculous!!! My daughter is in 7th grade and we've never been told she could not bring certain foods to school. I agree with you 100% -- you educate your OWN children as to what they can and cannot eat and that they are NOT to swap with those foods. I would be very tempted to seriously oppose such a blanket rule which punishes so many more than the one or two it helps. Without looking up stats, does anybody know the percentage of people who are allergic to peanuts?
CindyA
02-25-2003, 01:31 PM
Originally posted by kellaz3:
Hi Mommyof5,
food allergies, I do agree with the school. Some children have such bad reaction to peanuts, that even being NEAR them could cause them to have throat swelling.
Kelly
Kelly, thanks for the education -- I did NOT know that at all. I thought they had to be ingested. Is there no way of fighting such allergies?
Hi Mommyof5,
food allergies, I do agree with the school. Some children have such bad reaction to peanuts, that even being NEAR them could cause them to have throat swelling.
Kelly
Kelly, thanks for the education -- I did NOT know that at all. I thought they had to be ingested. Is there no way of fighting such allergies?
kellaz3
02-25-2003, 01:35 PM
Cindy,
We're talking about elimination in the classroom, not at school in general. You obviously don't have a child with food allergies. Having a food allergy is a serious matter when presented in a small setting like the classroom, especially if the "allergic child" doesn't know what's in the food at class parties. Accommodations should be met in the classroom for a child with allergies. Your child isn't going to "miss out" on ONE snack. They can enjoy it at home or in the cafeteria or, in my kids' school, they sometimes let them have the snack on the playground. In a small environment like a classroom, it can pose a serious issue.
If you were in the shoes of a parent of a child with food allergies, you wouldn't be so quick to judge.
People respect the child with disabilities, let's respect those with serious allergies, too.
Kelly
We're talking about elimination in the classroom, not at school in general. You obviously don't have a child with food allergies. Having a food allergy is a serious matter when presented in a small setting like the classroom, especially if the "allergic child" doesn't know what's in the food at class parties. Accommodations should be met in the classroom for a child with allergies. Your child isn't going to "miss out" on ONE snack. They can enjoy it at home or in the cafeteria or, in my kids' school, they sometimes let them have the snack on the playground. In a small environment like a classroom, it can pose a serious issue.
If you were in the shoes of a parent of a child with food allergies, you wouldn't be so quick to judge.
People respect the child with disabilities, let's respect those with serious allergies, too.
Kelly
kellaz3
02-25-2003, 01:38 PM
Cindy,
Peanut allergies make up, I think, over fifty or more percent of childhood allergies. My child is NOT one of those. My child has a citrus fruit and carrot allergy. It's very scary. All I can do is teach my child the do's and don'ts and how to ask what's in a certain item. The reason why accommodations are made for peanuts is because it is the most common and most severe!!
kelly
Peanut allergies make up, I think, over fifty or more percent of childhood allergies. My child is NOT one of those. My child has a citrus fruit and carrot allergy. It's very scary. All I can do is teach my child the do's and don'ts and how to ask what's in a certain item. The reason why accommodations are made for peanuts is because it is the most common and most severe!!
kelly
CindyA
02-25-2003, 01:39 PM
Originally posted by mommyof5:
Kellaz3,
I do respect the "rules" as I said before but couldn't they accomidate the peanut allergy kids (since it can be fatal) with a special section? like a " non peanut/nut" section as they do in restaurants ex: "non smoking section"? Or am I sounding silly now?
mommyof5
Yeah, Mommy, it did sound a little silly -- but it made me laugh. I understand your frustration and sometimes we just get to the point of being silly when our hands get tied. :)
Kellaz3,
I do respect the "rules" as I said before but couldn't they accomidate the peanut allergy kids (since it can be fatal) with a special section? like a " non peanut/nut" section as they do in restaurants ex: "non smoking section"? Or am I sounding silly now?
mommyof5
Yeah, Mommy, it did sound a little silly -- but it made me laugh. I understand your frustration and sometimes we just get to the point of being silly when our hands get tied. :)
CindyA
02-25-2003, 01:44 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by kellaz3:
[B]Cindy,
>at school in general. You obviously don't have a >child with allergies
Obviously.
>If you were in the shoes of a parent of a child with >food allergies, you wouldn't be so quick to judge.
Kelly, I would appreciate your not confusing my ignorance or misinformation with judgment.
[B]Cindy,
>at school in general. You obviously don't have a >child with allergies
Obviously.
>If you were in the shoes of a parent of a child with >food allergies, you wouldn't be so quick to judge.
Kelly, I would appreciate your not confusing my ignorance or misinformation with judgment.
Greenberry
02-25-2003, 01:49 PM
This really is ridiculous. It's just not fair! Why aren't ALL possible food allergies accomodated at schools? It's not fair to accomodate one allergy and not all the others! Aren't the public schools trying to be fair? Don't kids who are allergic to other foods have the same right to attend public school free from FEAR of dying? Why just draw the line at peanuts?
And of course, mommyof5, you couldn't have a separate seating area for children with allergies, that might make them feel different and therefore bad about themselves. So what if they ARE different from most of the kids in the fact that they have allergies to common food items.
And of course, mommyof5, you couldn't have a separate seating area for children with allergies, that might make them feel different and therefore bad about themselves. So what if they ARE different from most of the kids in the fact that they have allergies to common food items.
kellaz3
02-25-2003, 01:55 PM
Cindy,
I do apologize. That sounded bad, but I really really didn't mean it that way. I meant the fact you aren't in these shoes so therefore you don't know. BUT, you're the first to judge and say you would oppose such a rule of accommodation. Again, if you were the parent of a child with allergies, you'd have different opinions.
Kelly
I do apologize. That sounded bad, but I really really didn't mean it that way. I meant the fact you aren't in these shoes so therefore you don't know. BUT, you're the first to judge and say you would oppose such a rule of accommodation. Again, if you were the parent of a child with allergies, you'd have different opinions.
Kelly
mommyof5
02-25-2003, 02:46 PM
Kellaz3
in my childrens' school they eat in a cafeteria, peanuts/nuts are just plain old banned period through out the whole school. In a classroom (small setting) - i would agree more. For classroom parties, yes I also agree.
Anyway, I'm sorry I didn't mean to cause a ruckus :). I'll be getting off the board for now, my youngest has just gotten sick at school and is coming home now :(. Coincidence?, it happened at lunchtime lol!
mommyof5
in my childrens' school they eat in a cafeteria, peanuts/nuts are just plain old banned period through out the whole school. In a classroom (small setting) - i would agree more. For classroom parties, yes I also agree.
Anyway, I'm sorry I didn't mean to cause a ruckus :). I'll be getting off the board for now, my youngest has just gotten sick at school and is coming home now :(. Coincidence?, it happened at lunchtime lol!
mommyof5
LookingForHealth
02-26-2003, 06:05 AM
Why is this so common now? When I was in elementary school (88 and on) I never heard of such rules/people being allergic to peanuts.
momma2boys
02-26-2003, 10:49 AM
peanut allergy is so serious, you have no idea how scary it is to worry that your child could die at school because someone is eating p.b. next to them or wipes it on the table.
momma2boys
02-26-2003, 10:54 AM
also I might add that my child cant even buy a school lunch because they might have accidentally touched p.b. before the other lunch items. You wouldnt believe the amount of foods he cant eat because they may contain traces of peanuts. I know some p.a. parents wont even take their child to chuck e. cheese or playgrounds because kids could eat p.b. and wipe it on railings , etc. I know one study they followed 7 kids with p. allergy and 3 or 4 of them died at school. The nurses did not even recognize the symptoms , had them lay down them go back to class. It is the scariest thing in my life right now. I also have considered homeschooling but I also dont want my child to miss out on the stuff he sees his brother doing because of an allergy. To the poster who asked, no there is nothing they can do for this allergy right now. Hopefully soon!!!
LookingForHealth
02-26-2003, 04:54 PM
I work at a drop in daycare and we give out snack...never can it have peanuts or chocolate or fruit in it. The moms warn us if their kid is allergic to anything--we can't guess and we can't remember. We're reminded each time.
But I remember this one 8 year old boy's mom would drop off an epi pen each time he was left with us. It was THAT serious. And what did he do?????????? In the summer is is extremely busy and crowded, but someone told me he went into my purse and ate my kelloggs rice krispy treat. I was pissed off that such an old child could jeopardize his life, be so disrespectful too- I later heard from someone that since they make peanut butter flavor of those, theres a chance the plain ones could have traces of pb in it. As if I knew that, and as if I would expect an 8 year old to dig in my purse and eat my sealed snack.
The kids that age should be WARNED TO THE EXTREME never ever ever touch any food that is not yours and always always ask what is in something.
But I remember this one 8 year old boy's mom would drop off an epi pen each time he was left with us. It was THAT serious. And what did he do?????????? In the summer is is extremely busy and crowded, but someone told me he went into my purse and ate my kelloggs rice krispy treat. I was pissed off that such an old child could jeopardize his life, be so disrespectful too- I later heard from someone that since they make peanut butter flavor of those, theres a chance the plain ones could have traces of pb in it. As if I knew that, and as if I would expect an 8 year old to dig in my purse and eat my sealed snack.
The kids that age should be WARNED TO THE EXTREME never ever ever touch any food that is not yours and always always ask what is in something.
Chelle1977
02-27-2003, 04:01 PM
Greenberry - Go back and really read the posts from kellaz3. Her posts are VERY informative and insightful on this topic.
Peanut allergies are singled out because they're
a). the most common
b). usually the most severe - just a trace of peanuts in food could cause a deadly reaction
and c). the most likely to be encountered in a school environment.
I'm sure that most parents of children with this allergy teach their children not to swap foods, etc., but when they don't even have to eat it .. just have a trace amount .. its harder to police. I don't see how not having pb at school is a punishment.
Peanut allergies are singled out because they're
a). the most common
b). usually the most severe - just a trace of peanuts in food could cause a deadly reaction
and c). the most likely to be encountered in a school environment.
I'm sure that most parents of children with this allergy teach their children not to swap foods, etc., but when they don't even have to eat it .. just have a trace amount .. its harder to police. I don't see how not having pb at school is a punishment.