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Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Food Fight


My son told me that he had a hot chocolate in class today.

I completely freaked out.

I have a dairy allergy. No, it's not life threatening, but it hurts like heck. Think of the worst pain you have had now stick it in your gut. I have also gotten hives and had trouble breathing so I am sure that if I pushed it...it could be a little more of an issue.

When keenan was 1 year old a stranger (mom) fed him some goldfish crackers and he had such a violent reaction to them that I never EVER gave him a milk product like that again.

It could have been the orange dye, it could have been the day, it could have been a lot of things, but all I know is that I had NEVER seen him in so much pain. So I now tell everyone that he cannot eat cow's dairy and we cook accordingly, and buy snacks accordingly.

I do have to say that I do cheat once in a blue moon...a cookie here (not chocolate), or a muffin there (not buttermilk) or even a super small piece of cake at a birthday party (with no icing). Even though I cheat I don't think that means that he can get dairy whenever *someone* else chooses.

After he told me, I panicked. I pictured someone giving him a whole glass of heated chocolate milk!! I jumped out of the van to ask the volunteer coordinator if it was true and she wasnt sure. So I asked the other kids. Yes, water and powder.

The other moms asked me what was the big deal? I said because Hot Chocolate is made with milk. They said, well if it was the powder and water, then it shouldn't be a problem.....okay.....but what is the powder made from? (usually skim milk).

What if I gave my friend's kid that was allergic to peanuts a piece of crust that had a tiny bit of peanut butter on it....would that be okay? I know it wouldn't. And yes, argue with me that milk wont kill my kid, because it won't. But what if I was Jewish? Is it okay to give him something with bacon on it?

The bottom line is that people who do not have allergies or sensitivities do not give any thought to those of us who do. It makes me crazy. (and I probably looked crazy running out of the van to ask the other moms about a drink given in class).

I just have problems with people giving my kid food that I did not Ok. Does that make me over protective? Nuts?

What do you think? Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all. That never should have happened. I assume the preschool has a list of allergies and they should have checked that.

I know at my son's preschool, they have a policy that the kids can only eat food that their parents send. If another child brings treats (like cupcakes for a birthday or something), they're given out as they're leaving so the parent still knows and decides.

Freya said...

Nope. I think it's reasonable. I don't want Daniel eating food coloring, and when I found out he had a "Green Muffin" at playschool, I freaked too! It's not another person's job to decide what to feed your small child. I talked to his teachers and am trying to decide if I should label it as an allergy for next year...

Shawna said...

Hmmm. I find this interesting, because my kids have no food allergies at all, and I consider myself lucky. I also try to be aware of what other kids may or may not be able to eat, for any reason. I always ask Moms before giving kids stuff. And I check ingredient labels. But I suspect that what happened here is they thought "powder and water" just as you said, and didn't even look to see what was in the powder.

When it comes to the school setting, it must be so hard. I know our boys' school tries, but I was a little irritated when my son came home and told me his teacher gave the whole class a cup of tea on a cold afternoon. What kind of tea? Was there caffeine in it?

Bottom line, it is up to parents to decide what their kids can eat, for as long as possible.

Kelly said...

I think you have every right to be upset if someone gives your kid something you don't approve of. I was so super picky about everything when I was vegan, if we were still that way today I know I would have to be super vigilant. I get upset if other people give my kids lots of sugar or artificial foods, I don't appreciate it and I wish people didn't feel as though they had the right to do that. Having a kid with allergies is tough enough, without having to deal with other people being ignorant.

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