Re: snacks for preschool? (nut policy)

[Guest guest]

How about non-peanut nut butters? We also use almond butter, cashew

nut and cashew-macadamemia for variety?

And the peanut policy is definitely something that should be checked

on a school-by-school basis: one district in our area tried to outlaw

it and there was such a huge public outcry that the final policy ended

up being classroom specific to rooms with an allergic child. Many

kids, such as mine, depend on nuts as an important source of protein

in their diet.

> > > Help! My daughter just started preschool and every Thursday

>

> parents

> > > have to bring a special snack the kids will make and eat at

> school.

> > > Some parents have asked for ideas of things they can make

> and

> > > include my daughter, . Fortunately, will

> understand if

> > > she can't participate in the special snack and I'll make

> sure

> she'll

> > > have special snacks of her own when parents bring pizza,

> muffins...

> > > But for those who asked, I don't know what to tell them. I

> want

> to

> > > be creative. I know we have tons of snacks we eat but I

> don't

> think

> > > any of them are fun, very easy & quick to make (kids are

> just 3

> > > years old) and of course yummy for all kids. Any

> suggestions?

> > > Thank you!!!

[Guest guest]

I would avoid nuts altogether as there seems to be a rise in "tree-nut" allergies as well. I understand the nuts as protein issue, but I also am not sure it's worth putting another child's health in jeopardy. Classroom by classroom doesn't really work if they eat a peanut butter sandwich, then go down the hall and touch a door knob that the allergic kid then touches, and goes into anaphalactic shock from.

I know my son gets plenty of protein at home, so missing it during the school hours isn't an issue for us. But, I'm not you or your child.

-----Original Message-----From: marcianar@... Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 3:16 PMTo: SillyYaks Subject: Re: snacks for preschool? (nut policy)How about non-peanut nut butters? We also use almond butter, cashewnut and cashew-macadamemia for variety?And the peanut policy is definitely something that should be checkedon a school-by-school basis: one district in our area tried to outlawit and there was such a huge public outcry that the final policy endedup being classroom specific to rooms with an allergic child. Manykids, such as mine, depend on nuts as an important source of proteinin their diet.> > > Help! My daughter just started preschool and every Thursday> > parents > > > have to bring a special snack the kids will make and eat at > school. > > > Some parents have asked for ideas of things they can make> and > > > include my daughter, . Fortunately, will > understand if > > > she can't participate in the special snack and I'll make> sure > she'll > > > have special snacks of her own when parents bring pizza, > muffins... > > > But for those who asked, I don't know what to tell them. I> want > to > > > be creative. I know we have tons of snacks we eat but I> don't > think > > > any of them are fun, very easy & quick to make (kids are> just 3 > > > years old) and of course yummy for all kids. Any> suggestions?> > > Thank you!!!

[Guest guest]

Very few subjects make smoke come out of

my ears, but this is one of them. My children do not have a peanut allergy, but

as a parent, I can put myself in the shoes of those parents dealing with a peanut

allergy kid. How downright terrifying to have so many parents in the school

district with an “its not my problem” or “this is too much of

an inconvenience” attitude. How would you feel if this was YOUR child…or

maybe a niece or nephew? This is not a trivial situation….this is LIFE or

DEATH!

I realize how hard it is to cope with CD.

I too have thought about the impact it would have on our lives if nuts were

outlawed at school…..no more nut snacks, no more PB & J sandwich, everything

in his special treat box would have to go. I also use peanuts and other nuts as

a source of protein for my children - more nutritional value than rice

crackers. It would be very difficult to eliminate them from their school diet. But

if I knowingly sent that food to school and something happened, I couldn’t

live with knowing that I may have contributed to the death of someone else’s

beautiful child…their pride and joy.

Marcianar….this response is not

meant to attack you. I just want to encourage the other parents to give thought

to this serious issue. It might come up at your school next, and before you

make your decision, put yourselves in the other parent’s shoes.

Jill

Re: snacks

for preschool? (nut policy)

How about non-peanut nut butters? We also use almond butter, cashew

nut and

cashew-macadamemia for variety?

And the

peanut policy is definitely something that should be checked

on a

school-by-school basis: one district in our area tried to outlaw

it and there

was such a huge public outcry that the final policy ended

up being

classroom specific to rooms with an allergic child. Many

kids, such

as mine, depend on nuts as an important source of protein

in their diet.

[Guest guest]

I agree. I know we're already limited with what our kids can eat, but so are these people with nut allergies. And, honestly, I am not belittling CD in any way, but I thank God every day that this is "all" I have to deal with. If I had to send my baby out into the world every day knowing that one little teeny slip-up could kill him, I'm not sure I'd ever let him out. At least with CD he's not going to drop dead immediately from getting a crumb. The whole nut thing just terrifies me!!!

-----Original Message-----From: and Jill McCutcheon Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 4:25 PMTo: SillyYaks Subject: RE: Re: snacks for preschool? (nut policy)

Very few subjects make smoke come out of my ears, but this is one of them. My children do not have a peanut allergy, but as a parent, I can put myself in the shoes of those parents dealing with a peanut allergy kid. How downright terrifying to have so many parents in the school district with an “its not my problem” or “this is too much of an inconvenience” attitude. How would you feel if this was YOUR child…or maybe a niece or nephew? This is not a trivial situation….this is LIFE or DEATH!

I realize how hard it is to cope with CD. I too have thought about the impact it would have on our lives if nuts were outlawed at school…..no more nut snacks, no more PB & J sandwich, everything in his special treat box would have to go. I also use peanuts and other nuts as a source of protein for my children - more nutritional value than rice crackers. It would be very difficult to eliminate them from their school diet. But if I knowingly sent that food to school and something happened, I couldn’t live with knowing that I may have contributed to the death of someone else’s beautiful child…their pride and joy.

Marcianar….this response is not meant to attack you. I just want to encourage the other parents to give thought to this serious issue. It might come up at your school next, and before you make your decision, put yourselves in the other parent’s shoes.

Jill

-----Original Message-----From: marcianar@... Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 12:16 PMTo: SillyYaks Subject: Re: snacks for preschool? (nut policy)

How about non-peanut nut butters? We also use almond butter, cashewnut and cashew-macadamemia for variety?And the peanut policy is definitely something that should be checkedon a school-by-school basis: one district in our area tried to outlawit and there was such a huge public outcry that the final policy endedup being classroom specific to rooms with an allergic child. Manykids, such as mine, depend on nuts as an important source of proteinin their diet.

[Guest guest]

I agree with everything you said!!

RE: Re:

snacks for preschool? (nut policy)

I agree. I know we're already limited with

what our kids can eat, but so are these people with nut allergies. And,

honestly, I am not belittling CD in any way, but I thank God every day that

this is " all " I have to deal with. If I had to send my baby out into

the world every day knowing that one little teeny slip-up could kill him, I'm

not sure I'd ever let him out. At least with CD he's not going to drop dead

immediately from getting a crumb. The whole nut thing just terrifies me!!!

[Guest guest]

FACT: My child and a child with severe nut allergies could not attend

school in the same classroom. We've already been through this issue in

preschool - either my son or the girl with nut issues ended up going

without the food they needed to accomadate the other's issue. She had

respiratory difficulties (but not anaphylaxis) around not only nuts,

but about 20+ other foods as well.

It isn't a question of selfishness, or not thinking about the dangers

to other people's children. My son can not eat gluten, he is severely

soy intolerant, and he can't/won't eat meat. Much of his protein comes

from dairy, but it isn't safe/appropriate to rely on that 100%. He

needs nuts, and his metabolism requires that he eat about 5 times per

day, and his behavior patterns require that he have protein at least 3

times per day. And school rules require that the snack be

ready-to-eat, no cooking or refrigeration needed.

Maybe when people set policies, they need to look at the needs of ALL

the children involved.

> Very few subjects make smoke come out of my ears, but this is one of

> them. My children do not have a peanut allergy, but as a parent, I can

> put myself in the shoes of those parents dealing with a peanut allergy

> kid. How downright terrifying to have so many parents in the school

> district with an " its not my problem " or " this is too much of an

> inconvenience " attitude. How would you feel if this was YOUR child.or

> maybe a niece or nephew? This is not a trivial situation..this is LIFE

> or DEATH!

>

>

>

> I realize how hard it is to cope with CD. I too have thought about the

> impact it would have on our lives if nuts were outlawed at school...no

> more nut snacks, no more PB & J sandwich, everything in his special treat

> box would have to go. I also use peanuts and other nuts as a source of

> protein for my children - more nutritional value than rice crackers. It

> would be very difficult to eliminate them from their school diet. But if

> I knowingly sent that food to school and something happened, I couldn't

> live with knowing that I may have contributed to the death of someone

> else's beautiful child.their pride and joy.

>

>

>

> Marcianar..this response is not meant to attack you. I just want to

> encourage the other parents to give thought to this serious issue. It

> might come up at your school next, and before you make your decision,

> put yourselves in the other parent's shoes.

>

>

>

> Jill

>

>

>

> Re: snacks for preschool? (nut policy)

>

>

>

> How about non-peanut nut butters? We also use almond butter, cashew

> nut and cashew-macadamemia for variety?

>

> And the peanut policy is definitely something that should be checked

> on a school-by-school basis: one district in our area tried to outlaw

> it and there was such a huge public outcry that the final policy ended

> up being classroom specific to rooms with an allergic child. Many

> kids, such as mine, depend on nuts as an important source of protein

> in their diet.

[Guest guest]

My children attend a very large middle school. Since this is the first experience 6 graders will have with exams, the teachers have a group of parents put together surprise "cram bags". One for each student. The parents all get a chance to secretly send in a note of encouragement. The bags consist of crackers, candy, pencils, pens, snack bars, etc... The students are surprised with them the first morning of exams. Great consideration goes into the bags of children with allergies of any type. Last year, in my daughter's class there was a girl who was so allergic to peanuts that the mother asked that any product containing peanuts not be included in any bag for her child's room. The child reacts by just smelling peanuts. This was accomplished with just a little more planning. All peanut allergy kids got special nut free bags, no child in my daughters class got any peanut products, and Shelby's bag was wheat and gluten free. Almost 250 students, 30 moms working together, and this was accomplished with no fanfare or questioning. Simple passion and understanding goes a long way. I can't imagine why it would have to be any other way.

Cari

Original Message -----

From: and Jill McCutcheon

To: SillyYaks

Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 4:25 PM

Subject: RE: Re: snacks for preschool? (nut policy)

Very few subjects make smoke come out of my ears, but this is one of them. My children do not have a peanut allergy, but as a parent, I can put myself in the shoes of those parents dealing with a peanut allergy kid. How downright terrifying to have so many parents in the school district with an “its not my problem” or “this is too much of an inconvenience” attitude. How would you feel if this was YOUR child…or maybe a niece or nephew? This is not a trivial situation….this is LIFE or DEATH!

I realize how hard it is to cope with CD. I too have thought about the impact it would have on our lives if nuts were outlawed at school…..no more nut snacks, no more PB & J sandwich, everything in his special treat box would have to go. I also use peanuts and other nuts as a source of protein for my children - more nutritional value than rice crackers. It would be very difficult to eliminate them from their school diet. But if I knowingly sent that food to school and something happened, I couldn’t live with knowing that I may have contributed to the death of someone else’s beautiful child…their pride and joy.

Marcianar….this response is not meant to attack you. I just want to encourage the other parents to give thought to this serious issue. It might come up at your school next, and before you make your decision, put yourselves in the other parent’s shoes.

Jill

-----Original Message-----From: marcianar@... Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 12:16 PMTo: SillyYaks Subject: Re: snacks for preschool? (nut policy)

How about non-peanut nut butters? We also use almond butter, cashewnut and cashew-macadamemia for variety?And the peanut policy is definitely something that should be checkedon a school-by-school basis: one district in our area tried to outlawit and there was such a huge public outcry that the final policy endedup being classroom specific to rooms with an allergic child. Manykids, such as mine, depend on nuts as an important source of proteinin their diet.

[Guest guest]

I appreciate that there are at least a few of you sympathetic to peanut allergies - thanks!! My struggle is with folks that say that their kids will only eat a peanut butter sandwich for lunch -- after having a picky eater, I'm thinking those people are setting themselves & their kids up for some big food issues!! Besides that, kids are only in school for one meal a day (usually), so why can't a parent plan & feed their child food w/"issues" at home & respectfully send "non-issue" foods to school? My oldest has CD, but no peanut allergy, but attends a school that is peanut free, he manages to get to school everyday meeting both requirements. I appreciate anyone who is at least willing to ponder the options.

RE: Re: snacks for preschool? (nut policy)

I agree. I know we're already limited with what our kids can eat, but so are these people with nut allergies. And, honestly, I am not belittling CD in any way, but I thank God every day that this is "all" I have to deal with. If I had to send my baby out into the world every day knowing that one little teeny slip-up could kill him, I'm not sure I'd ever let him out. At least with CD he's not going to drop dead immediately from getting a crumb. The whole nut thing just terrifies me!!!

-----Original Message-----From: and Jill McCutcheon Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 4:25 PMTo: SillyYaks Subject: RE: Re: snacks for preschool? (nut policy)

Very few subjects make smoke come out of my ears, but this is one of them. My children do not have a peanut allergy, but as a parent, I can put myself in the shoes of those parents dealing with a peanut allergy kid. How downright terrifying to have so many parents in the school district with an “its not my problem” or “this is too much of an inconvenience” attitude. How would you feel if this was YOUR child…or maybe a niece or nephew? This is not a trivial situation….this is LIFE or DEATH!

I realize how hard it is to cope with CD. I too have thought about the impact it would have on our lives if nuts were outlawed at school…..no more nut snacks, no more PB & J sandwich, everything in his special treat box would have to go. I also use peanuts and other nuts as a source of protein for my children - more nutritional value than rice crackers. It would be very difficult to eliminate them from their school diet. But if I knowingly sent that food to school and something happened, I couldn’t live with knowing that I may have contributed to the death of someone else’s beautiful child…their pride and joy.

Marcianar….this response is not meant to attack you. I just want to encourage the other parents to give thought to this serious issue. It might come up at your school next, and before you make your decision, put yourselves in the other parent’s shoes.

Jill

-----Original Message-----From: marcianar@... Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 12:16 PMTo: SillyYaks Subject: Re: snacks for preschool? (nut policy)

How about non-peanut nut butters? We also use almond butter, cashewnut and cashew-macadamemia for variety?And the peanut policy is definitely something that should be checkedon a school-by-school basis: one district in our area tried to outlawit and there was such a huge public outcry that the final policy endedup being classroom specific to rooms with an allergic child. Manykids, such as mine, depend on nuts as an important source of proteinin their diet.