It's Back to School Time, but My Kid Has Allergies.....What do I do?
It's that time of year again! Back to school is always an exciting time of year, and for so many parents, a time we look forward to. Back to schedules, stability, new friends, new lessons, and so much more! But with children's food allergies on the rise, back to school can also be a time where we are fraught with worry. How do I keep my child safe? How do I let other parents and teachers know what my child is allergic to? How can I make sure my child understands how important it is to know what they are eating?While the list of questions seems endless, take a deep breath and know you are not alone! Children's allergies are common, and with so much information readily available, it is easier than ever to keep your children safe. Packing school lunch is a healthy and easy way to make sure your children eat well, try different foods, and steer clear of those foods that they have to avoid.
Check out www.kidswithfoodallergies.com and www.foodallergy.com for education and resources!
Your best bet is to make sure that your child is involved in learning about their own food allergies, and being respectful of friends and peers that might have them as well. My friend's 6 year old son has allergies to just about every food out there, and always asks if anything has peanuts before he goes near it. He even noticed a picture of a fish on a bottle of vitamins, and sighing, told his mom...."Oh, I can't have these, they have fish oil"! I was pretty impressed at this food savvy six year old!
There are many day care centers and schools that employ a peanut free school zone; no peanut butter, peanuts, no treats with peanuts for birthday parties, etc. If your child's allergy is severe, this is definitely a route worth looking into it. I have also heard about schools that offer a "peanut allergy" table in the lunchroom. But, in fairness, that idea makes me hesitant. There is no guarantee that there won't be cross contamination. More importantly, no child with an allergy should have to sit away from their friends at lunch, allergies are hard enough for the wee ones to deal with...I personally don't believe segregation is the answer! And while peanuts certainly top the list of common allergens, they aren't the only ones out there. I don't believe the solution can be to remove every potential allergen from our schools.
I do believe that our teachers and caregivers play a very active role in keeping our kiddos safe. If your child needs Benadryl or an EpiPen on hand, make sure there is an adult in the classroom that knows how and when to administer both. Bring a printed list of instructions for the teacher and the school nurse, and make sure they know what those allergies are. Trust me, they want to know, as their job is to keep our children safe and happy. And if you can provide them with the tools to get the job done, fantastic!
There are a variety of lunch boxes and containers on the market, providing clear notice that your child has an allergy. This is an easy, no fuss way to get the word out. We love the stickers from Goodbyn, check them out at http://store.goodbyn.com/Dishwasher_safe_Sticker_Set_The_Original_p/20041.htm. Cute, creative, and useful....it's the dream!
And if it's any consolation, my allergist told us that while food allergies are common, there has not been a food allergy related death in Colorado in more than 40 years! While we still need to remain vigilant and aware, surely, this can give us a tiny bit of peace of mind.
The new school year should be fun and exciting! Food allergies, while a big issue right now, should not take away all of that excitement. A little bit of education goes a long way, and remember, allergies are common, and you are not alone!
Enjoy Back to School Time!!!
