As a parent, we work hard to keep our kids safe. I know I hate when people whip down my block speeding and take caution when I pass the house with that little plastic kid warning sign. We all hold their hand crossing the street and I even remind them to help other people only when I'm around for fear of strangers tricking my kids. But we also need to remind our kids to not share food with other kids, especially little ones and to wash their hands after they eat a severe allergen like peanut butter.
Things are a pain to do sometimes. I know I hated putting my seat belt on as a kid but now it's second nature. When I was a kid it was not cool to wear a helmet, yet my children have grown up with it just being so and I see teens wearing them all the time without a care in the world. Packing safe snacks for your child's class because you lucky enough to have the child with a food allergy can be just as second nature and might even be a good thing! (And I mean lucky because they're awesome kids!)
Here's a few benefits to having the 'allergy' kid in your class.
- You will now read food labels. Have you seen half the crap in the boxed snacks? I can't even pronounce half the ingredients to some of those snacks. It's a win win when you are feeding your kid healthier snacks. So their sandwich doesn't contain peanut butter. You can easily use sunflower butter or cream cheese and jelly for a school lunch. Let their favorite PJ&J be a weekend treat or after school snack. They'll still get the protein you want them too.
- You'll teach your kid about thinking of others. That can't be too bad. I was actually surprised how quickly my daughter came home from nursery school asking if we can buy a safe snack to share with her new friend because she gets hurt when she eats nuts. I'd pack her lunch and she would ask 'Is this safe?" It easily led into her grabbing something from my other child when had a snack that was not safe for my nephew who is gluten free. It made her mindful of all kids needs, and to me that is a good thing.
- You might find a new mom friend. Can you imagine not going to peoples houses because their home is not safe? Declining all birthday parties because your kid might touch something or eat something? When we had a scare and 'thought' my child had a nut allergy, I made her birthday party nut free. It was the first time one of the kids had been to a party where the mom felt comfortable enough to actually leave for a bit. Food is a necessity for life, but not for a good party and there are plenty of snacks on each child's safe list to have a food filled fun time!
- Your child might find a new best friend! I can't fully imagine being a mom of a kid with allergies, but I can imagine being a kid feeling left out. We've all had issues where our kid came home saying so and so wouldn't play with them or so and so teased me because I have a blue shirt on. These kids feel left out on purpose because they can't sit at a table where kids are eating PB&J or granola bars with nuts in them. Many schools even force them to sit alone every day. No kid deserves that. By bringing in safe snacks, your child can sit at the table with that child and give them a friendship like no other. One that shows that differences don't matter. I'm sure that child knows what it feels like to be excluded so they'll welcome the friendship and who doesn't want their kid to have a great friend throughout their school life.
- It makes your child's school more aware, which allows for all kinds of beneficial changes. When you support the one mom or even many moms of kids with food allergies in the classroom, you send a message to the school that each child matters. So when your child starts having a speech issue or another child has death in the family, and another one needs modified playground equipment for their disability, they know that their community is behind them and that the school should listen. While this may not be your fight, at some point you'll have something you need and who better to have by your side than another mama that saw you support her. :)
- Pretzels
- Popcorn
- Cheese Snacks
- Icees and frozen pops
- Potato Chips
- Cereal bars & Granola mixes
- Rice Snacks
- Crackers
- Corn Chips
- Cookies, cakes, & even muffins
When in doubt, ask that mom what snacks to bring in for your child's birthday or even what to make at home so that child can be invited to the party! Trust me, she'll be SO HAPPY you called. (It might even be easier to send in non-food treats!)
*Here's a great article about Food Allergy Awareness by Heather Wirtz of Macaroni Kid EATS! you might want to check out to learn more.
