Frustrated with all the food allergies in the schools

I know this may be a hot topic for some parents and I know that if I was the parent of a child with food allergies I'd be wanting to make sure that my kid(s) were protected as well. But, I just need to vent a bit. Last year both the daycare and KG class my kids were in were nut free. Ok, we can live without peanut butter eventhough most days that's the only thing my kids will eat. Well, I just got a letter from Isabel's 1st grade teacher stating that there is someone in the class with severe allergies to eggs, oatmeal, barley and wheat and that we can only send in fruit, veggies or yogurt for snack. WOW!! They are allowed to bring in other items for lunch, but not snack which is good b/c we'd have a big issue then. So, I'm assuming that there will probably be no birthday treats allowed due to this. I know it's the healthiest snacks to send, but I'm just frustrated that it's so limiting. Sorry if this little vent has offended anyone, it was not my intention. I'm just a bit frustrated.

 

I understand where you're coming from. I deal with food allergies daily in our house, but by now, it's second nature to me so it's easier. I know that other parents don't so it is harder for them. But you really will be helping a kid not feel left out. My friend has a daughter that starts swelling at the smell of milk and it leaves burn marks if it touches her skin. Her daughter constantly feels left out.

If you do know which kid it is, you might just ask their mom what she does for snacks. I know that I was suprised that my friend with the dairy allergies (and eggs, and peanuts) could have golden Oreo's. The other mom might know of something suprising that is perfect for snacks.

Marissa

 

Oh, and I totally get that. I would never want to put someone in danger or make them feel left out. And that's why I would never dream of even venting to the teacher or other parents involved, but I just know there are going to be days where my kid is going to be sick of fruits, veggies or yogurt. That is all we are allowed to bring according to her letter. And of course you are right...when you don't have to deal with allergies on a daily basis, you're just not used to having to "pre plan" like that and limit what you're allowed to have (even if it is all healthy, I know she'd like things like crackers and cheese, bagel and creamcheese, cereal bars, granola bars, etc.). Again, not angry at the kid or the family. Just a bit irritated at the situation.

 

Honestly, I think that is a bit overboard. I have dealt with dairy and nut allergies in both my kids classes, and for the past two years at camp. For girl with the dairy allergy, her mom sent in a "special" snack that was safe for her to eat. In school we have an allergy free area in each class for snacktime. The kids love to check their snacks and see if they can be the child to sit with "H" that day. I can say we used tons of baby wipes to clean the kids up after each meal--something that can easily be done in the classroom. Unfortunately, this child will not be able to live in a real world situation which doesn't include eggs, oatmeal, barley and wheat, and at some point that child will have to work with it. I do understand planning foods they can have for class parties, but for daily snack, I really don't see the need for that restriction--especially since those allergies are ingested ones, not airborne like peanut butter can be.

 

Ethan has a child in his class with such severe allergies that they are not allowed to bring a snack, it is supplied for them. The kids can also sign up for lunch buddies with the child and on those days can only bring food from an approved list for their lunch.

 

I think we can all understand both sides. Of course you aren't upset with the child, just annoyed with the circumstances. I agree with the pp that asking for suggestions from the parnet is a great idea, and I'm positive that the mom would be more than happy to make a list of what the chld can eat.

So, is the chlild allergic to peanuts and dairy, too? I can't imagine that's the case.

Other snack possibilities? Popcorn, pirate's booty, string cheese, yogurt tubes, Veggie Stix, pudding cups, flavored rice cakes, pretzles? , tortilla chips and salsa, jello cups, celery and cream cheese, yogur raisins, fruit kabobs and yogurt dip, veggies and dip, dry cereal or cereal and milk (obviously oatmeal/barley free), yogurt smoothies, fruit leather/ fruit snacks, hummus and pita bread. That's all I can think of right now. (Double check the ingredients on these!)).

 

See that's what I was thinking is there are a lot of things I could find that would fit the description (no eggs, oatmeal, barley or wheat), such as cheese sticks, peanut butter, etc. But, she said specifically that the snack is limited to fruit, veggies and yogurt. Isabel will eat many veggies, but usually only with a ranch type dip. She mentioned to look at any dips we may send in as most have eggs. I'll have to ask her on Tues. if we look at the ingredients on something carefully and it doesn't contain those items if we can send them. We'll see how strict the rule is.

 

I think getting suggestions from the mom is a great idea. If yogurt is okay what about cheese?

Some suggested snacks from DDs school list that might work:
Ants on a log - cream cheese on celery w/raisins
Treasure logs - cream cheese on slices of meat rolled up,
meat cubes or rollups - turkey, smoked sausage, bologna, pepperoni
kabobs with any combination of meat, fruit, cheese & veggies
yogurt pops
hummus w/fruit/veggies

 

I'll try it, but seeing as the suggested snack list listed every imaginable fruit or vegetable I don't know if they're really going to allow anything else. Maybe after the 1st week I can e-mail the teacher and ask her if she would be willing to allow some of these you are all suggesting (great ideas, btw!). I'm not sure how I would find out who the child/parent is without blatently asking the teacher or asking my daughter who probably won't really know (at least not initially). Do you think the teacher would give that information? I really don't want to make a big deal out of it with the class, kwim? I'm a rule follower for the most part....just hoping she may expand her rule. lol

 

I'm curious to know if the fruit, vegetable and yogurt list is a list from the parents or a list that the teacher came up with. Can you ask the teacher to ask the Mom for snack ideas? Can she check with the Mom to see of other things are ok? Maybe they are trying to limit the food list because they can't expect all the other parents to check the labels of other foods to the extent they need to be checked.

 

Interesting----we have a 1 no dairy and 1 no citrus, so if we were in your class would that just leave mostly veggies??!?!

I think 'airbourne/topical' allergies are totally reasonable (peanuts)---but ingested??

For Preschool---the dairy is the biggie. I will send in lactose free options (rice milk, soy yogurt) for the teacher to store when they have 'dairy' snacks and some raisins if they offer citrus. My girls are aware that can not eat these things and are OK with it. They do not feel excluded- rather they know they will get serious upset stomachs and simply say "I cant eat that. It makes my tummy hurt" We've talked abotu that different people eat different foods (our neighbor's child cant do wheat) and talked about 'not offering him certain foods' but then also said what they could share.

I think it is a good way for kids to develop knowledge of other people, compassion, and relate to the differences that we each have. Fruit/Veggie only as snacks will leave a lot of hungry kids (and cranky)---they are great for you, but apples and grapes and carrots will get tedious after awhile.

As a parent, I dont expect other kids to not have dairy/citrus just because my 2 don't (my non-dairy eater eats oranges and my non-citrus eater eats cheese). I feel it is my responsibility to make sure they have a snack that they can eat if the one available is not appropriate.

KC

 

The mom of the allergy kid should send in the snacks. Or the kid should be home schooled. I would never put my kids in harm's way if the allergies were that serious, I would home school them.

I too would be irritated by the dictation of snack foods.