My son's school has a new child with a peanut butter allergy. My child in 5th grade and the other child is in 3rd. The school sent home a note saying no peanut products at school. My child has taken a sack lunch with a peanut butter sandwich since he has been in school. I feel bad for the other child but as a parent my son's nutrition is more important to me. How do I handle this issue? I spoke with the school and I don't think I am the only parent with a complaint about the peanut policy. How can one child's health be more important then another? I think the parents need to find an alternative for their child. My child is very picky and won't eat most meat products, I substitute with peanut butter for his meals.I do feel for the other child but what about my child's health? If he doesn't eat the food I send him the he will become unhealthy. So who's more important?
I do feel for the other child but what about my child's health? If he doesn't eat the food I send him the he will become unhealthy. So who's more important?
I do feel for the other child but what about my child's health? If he doesn't eat the food I send him the he will become unhealthy and be susceptible to illness. So who's more important?
Have any of you ever had a picky child to feed? If every child is to be accommodated then why not my child too. Maybe the parents should look into home schooling their child. Why would you, if your child is this allergic to peanuts, put in a place that could kill him. Don't think for one second that I don't care if this child is hurt, I do, but as a parent my own child is my first and only concern.
Rob C - A lot of schools are going nut free. It doesn't seem fair, but even just the oils from nuts can be fatal to someone who is allergic. My kids are told to brush their teeth before coming to school if they've eaten nut products for breakfast.
ReplyDeleteellie - You could switch peanut butter out with cashew or almond butter, hazelnut spread, black bean dip or maybe see if he likes hummus. Peanut allergies can be fatal, even tiny particles.
ReplyDeleteHenry Righ - Here are a few articles worth checking out as you begin your journey into the contentious realm of nut allergies and public schools. Good luck.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.care2.com/causes/the-peanut-free-zone-allergies-and-the-classroom.html
http://blogs.webmd.com/childrens-health/2011/03/peeved-parents-protesting-peanut-procedures.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/kids-food-allergy-policies-trigger-complaints/story?id=13247562
http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/08/frederick-county-schools-react-to-peanut-allergy-scare-65908.html
tough love - in a way you have to think about it if it were ur son who was allergic to it wouldn't you want to know he was safe, but i do agree. they make epipens to help. and it should prob only be that grade at least who isn't supposed to bring them. i would be upset too
ReplyDeleteneato1975 - If the entire school is going peanut free for one child, then he obviously has a pretty severe allergy...which makes it more of an issue of life or death than health. Often times it is not the allergic child's parents who want the school to be peanut free, but rather what the school decides to do this as it is easier on them than implementing other measures to keep the child safe.
ReplyDeleteWhat alternative do you suggest these parents find? Public schools are obligated to educate every child, regardless of their needs. I hope someday you realize how ridiculous it sounds to put "my child is very picky" over another child's well- being.
Perhaps broadening his palate will be better for your child's health than repetitively eating the same food. If he truly will not eat anything other than peanut butter, swap it for sunbutter, he may never know the difference.
EDIT: Again, you are comparing a LIFE THREATENING allergy to a picky eater. Picky eaters, unless it is a result of some type of disability/sensory issue, tend to have been created by their parents. You cater to the pickiness, therefore he remains picky. A child who is offered food will not allow himself to starve, unless he has some other type of issue.
It is the school's responsibility to keep EVERY child SAFE while at school and your child's school has decided that in order to do this they are asking people to not send peanuts. Your child will not become "unhealthy" by missing out on peanut butter 5 times during the week...you are fooling yourself if you think otherwise. Stop trying to make this an issue and maybe use it as an opportunity to teach your child how to show some compassion and consideration for others.
Why should they homeschool? The school is taking the steps they deem necessary to keep their child safe (as they do for all), you are the one with the issue with it. Perhaps it is you who should homeschool...then your child could eat all the PB his heart desires and remain the picture of health!
Kay - Your child will not die if he will not eat his lunch however, if the children with the allergies are exposed to peanuts they will have a severe reaction and may die. Why should the children with the allergies by isolated from the general population because of something beyond their control. If the children were in a wheelchair would you ask them to be home schooled because your child doesn't like the ramps? The school board is required by law to make every reasonable effort to secure a safe environment for all students. Banning peanuts is a perfectly reasonable effort and is practice in thousands of schools, camps, and recreation facilities in north America.
ReplyDeleteI have worked in environments with children that are peanut free due to allergies. Several of the children I worked with were picky eaters and not once did one of them suffer physically or emotionally by the lack of peanut butter. Feed your child a healthy breakfast and have a snack ready for after school and they will be perfectly fine without lunch if that is what you have to resort to. If all your child eats is peanut butter sandwiches, then you have bigger problems with his health as that is far from a balanced, healthy diet.
How would you feel if it was your child with the allergy and other parents were not willing to do what was necessary to keep your child safe at school? The children withe nut allergies will always be reminded that they are missing out on somethings and will always be excluded from certain places and events (like birthday parties and restaurants and sporting events) because of their allergy. So have a little compassion.
allotmentgolfer - I also have picky children to feed and have two people at home with anaphylactic food allergies so know this issue is very difficult.
ReplyDeleteI understand you are concerned about your child, but if I had a letter from the school I would abide by it because I would not want to be responsible for killing another child, which is what may happen. Some people with peanut allergy are so sensitive they can react after eating (nut free) food that has been stored near food containing peanut.
I'm sure your child can find a subsutite that they can enjoy. It may take a bit of a search and may be unconventional (my son will not eat veggies so has fruit on his plate at meals) but you can find a way.
With regards to why should the parents of the allergic child send them to school, perhaps they are not is a position to home school the kid, and the number of people with allergies are rising so you may find that other kids will bring different challenges to school.