Do you think a nut free table at school would make a child that is allergic to nuts feel bad about himself?

Question

If you had a child that was severely allergic, would you rather the school produce a nut free table, or keep the kid along with a friend in the classroom while the other kids went to lunch, or would you rather they ate in the office under adult supervision? I have mixed feelings about this because of course I want my son to be as safe as possible, but the reason I want him to go to school is so he can have friends and fun play time (along with learning!). I have been homeschooling him to protect him but he craves being around other kids and I want him to be happy. The school and I are trying to work together to make it a safe place for him but without him being made to feel bad or different. I am not asking people to change what they send their child for lunch, I only want mine to be safe. So, a nut free table, lunch in the classroom, or lunch in the office?

Answer 1

I had the same concerns when my daughter started school. She sits at a nut-free table and it's been just fine, since there are actually 4 other kids in her grade with nut allergies, some of whom she's friends with. Also, if other kids bring allergy-safe lunches, they're allowed to sit at the peanut-free table, too, so some of her other friends do occasionally sit with her. You might give some friends' parents some stickers that say "nut free" to stick on their child's lunch when it's safe ... that would let them sit with your son whenever possible.

Answer 2

Either the table or in the classroom. The classroom could be a "special" thing. At the same time, the teacher needs to have that break, too, and he/she won't get it if your son and a friend are in there all the time at lunch. So, I'd probably support the table idea. A note will be sent home notifying the parents of the allergy (won't say your son's name) so that when they bring bday treats the parents can make sure they're nut free. Or, provide your own treats. See if, in the note, parents could be encouraged to send the kids without nut products, but don't forbid it. That way more kids can eat with your son. Just a thought :-)

Answer 3

Nut allergies are more and more common. Some schools have banned all nuts. In my state one district has banned nuts in childs lunches. I think this is extreme and I glad you don't want to change the other kids. A nut fee table is a great idea

Answer 4

Considering my sons were enrolled in a public school where one child was allergic to peanuts and they made the entire school nut free up to and including not allowing children to come to school with peanut butter on their breath and they would be sent home if they hade the "wrong" non sponsored snacks, If the allergic child could function in a normal school but only need the modification of a seperate table then i think it would be a win win situation for your child and the others in the school. Ultimately you know your child best and you can explain it to him on his understanding level that food allergies are no diffrent than anyother leaarning or health issues that require small modifications.

Answer 5

Nut free along with other types of food allergy tables are becoming very common in school. Many times a child's friend will still wish to sit with him/her even though they might not be able to eat something they might like. I don't agree with having to have the child restricted to the office to eat.

Two of my grand sons have very high allergic reactions to certain foods. My daughter home schools in order to have more protection and control over their safety. I should mention that under many state home schooling guide lines they have requirements for peer interaction. In their case they are enrolled in YMCA functions which are covered under the home school program. They have a number of friends that they socialize with, play with, and even spend time at each other's homes with the parents being very well aware of their ocnditions.

Answer 6

My son has a milk-free table. Since he does not have to worry about airborne allergens, I have suggested to him that he could just sit at a regular table & just be careful. I was worried about the same thing - that he was sitting there all alone & being the 'weird kid'.

He is safety-concious enough to want to be milk-free, anyway - just in case.

But, it turns out, there are friends who actually go out of their way to join him at the milk-free table, bringing juice boxes in to keep in the classroom to have with their lunch every day, so that they can sit with him.

Your son's friends will make the effort for him. At an elementary school age, he will actually be kind of 'cool' to have a special table for himself.

Answer 7

Nut free table. It's common at schools now to provide these-so common that other kids really don't care (i.e. it's not a source of embarassment) and your son won't be alone at the table. After they eat, they can join the rest of the class at recess.

Answer 8

at my sons school its not a nut free table. the kids with the severe allergy eat with the class but by the teacher so as to not get the others food.

this is more your responsibility than the school tell your son he has this allergy and how important it is to not eat nuts,

i dealt with this all the way through school but with soy beans. and as i am sure your well aware of soy beans are used in most beef products as its cheaper and no i didnt bring a lunch i ate the schools food i knew what to watch for and i avoided those things

Answer 9

I just send in a better lunch than the other kids are getting, so they're jealous. It happens all the time with my kids and they aren't allergic to anything. You'd think they'd be kidded about sack lunches, but instead their friends gather around to see what fabulous thing comes out of the bag each day. Who knew?

Answer 10

Nut Free table is my answer. Children with dietary issues want nothing more than to be normal and have normal relationships with other children their age. Please get him into school so he can socialize at his young age!