Sesame and Peanut Allergies- and Kids birthday parties and preschool

Charlene - posted on 03/23/2010

We ALWAYS bake something special for school parties..even if it's something as simple as jello jigglers, it makes her feel special to share something that's safe for her to eat and the other kids get a kick out of different treats! Now if we could just get other parents to realize that just because "peanuts" are not in the ingredient listing, doesn't mean it's safe for her to eat...it's the goodie bags that come home we have to watch out for..especially all the big chocolate holidays: halloween, christmas, valentines and easter!

T - posted on 01/17/2010

It is a tough situation, but preparation is the key. for b-day parties, I bring my own cupckes and lots of extras too for the other kids as they always want them too which makes my duaghter feel more comfy. When I go to gatherings, I take my own food along for my daughter to be safe. She is aware of her allergy now at the age of three and knows that she will get very itchy with hives if she eats anything with peanuts. Knowing this really helps the situation as she is much more receptive to what mom says that she can eat..

Melanie - posted on 01/15/2010

It is such a rough road- but hopefully it is helpful to know that your child isn't the only one out there who is going through this. What I have to remember is: my child is very stubborn and tough (in a good way)- and I know some of that is due to his food allergies. He shows me daily that it is OK- now we have our rough days, but he doesn't know any different. I just need to keep doing my homework and teach him as best as I can. I get so frustrated with this whole cross contamination thing- people at the park feeding their kids egg mcmuffin sandwiches while playing on park playground equipment (that sent us home without hesitation), kids running around with DQ blizzards on the playground equipment (that sent us home, too)- and I don't know that I would have done differently had I not had my son born with allergies. I feel like this has opened my eyes to a whole other world and I have a lot to learn and to share with others. Good luck- and know you are not going through this alone! :)

Christine - posted on 01/13/2010

Thanks Rita and Melanie, I pray alot too, however my son reacted at the birthday party to one of the child's blanket of all things, there was a hypo allergenic dog that the birthday party household had because they are allergic to dogs but due to my son being allergic to the saliva due to the foods the dog eats obviously must have touched the blanket because one touch from the 3 year olds blanky and my son was red and itchy and miserable so we had to leave a few minutes after we got there ... sigh I will continue on and make his own foods and realize that even with a hypoallergenic dog that things are still possible contaminates in household products of other people and dog food and the list goes on I am trying to keep the smiles

Melanie - posted on 01/12/2010

My son is anaphylactic to dairy (and possibly eggs and tree nuts- allergic for sure, but no anaphylactic reactions to date to these)... Anyway- I also try to go to the school to be a protector. I also use this as a big opportunity as a teachable moment for both my son and for everyone else. I have spoken at length with the school staff about hand washing before AND AFTER eating- they forget that kids play with foods and then the residue is enough to elicit a reaction. I have also opted to keep my son home at those times or prepared his own special foods that are kept separate that the staff can give him. Good luck and communication seems to really help the school know what they can do and make you feel as comfortable as possible. How lucky you are to have someone there with your son- I am happy that there are schools that are doing that! At least you have another line of defense there for him! :) Take care!

Rita - posted on 12/18/2009

I go to the school during parties and have taught my son since he was small that he can't touch the foods and to be aware of what is on the other childrens hands. I do my best to not scare him but to make him aware. I also pray alot. There have been times that there have been birthday parties that I didn't know about but communicating with his teacher and with him has made it possible to get around that. I've been thinking of baking him some cupcakes that his teacher can keep in the freezer so she can bring one out for him during birthday parties since he can't have eggs or milk so he can't ever eat the ones brought in unless I've made them. The biggest thing that I had to learn the hard way was teaching him to not be afraid of the foods but to know that if he comes in contact with them to wash his hands before they get near his mouth.

I wish you the best of luck!