Lunch Time Supervision

Quote:Originally posted by Codyman:
[b]This morning, she argued with me about the clothes she would wear for today. She declared that she is 6 years old and has lost 2 teeth so that she is "old enough" to decide what to wear.[/b]

Codyman - that sounds a lot like a discussion my parents told me about. When I was six and would no longer answer to a *baby* name. So I changed my name (from AnnaMarie to Anna). Good luck to you.

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When you discussed the chips and not knowing where they came from, we all understand maybe it was safe - maybe it wasn't. This is probably a very hard lesson for a child to learn, but I have an idea.

Show her two things that are very similar (two cookies, or two cupcakes). And ask her to decide which one is safe. (I'm NOT suggesting she taste test - just by looking.) Maybe she would then understand looking without a label is never enough information.

If she understand's about label-reading and that no *may contain* notice doesn't necessarily mean *safe* you could include some lousy label food that you know is unsafe.

Good luck to you.

[This message has been edited by AnnaMarie (edited September 11, 2003).]

wow that is a great suggestion -- that is how I share it with adults too -- I have 2 bags of vanilla wafers and 2 bags of chocolate chips and ask if they can tell which ones are safe? what if they were baked into a dessert -- could they tell? would they want to risk my child's life on guessing? It has been effective with adults so far.

My son is 3 and we are trying to instill the "no food from anyone" but it is hard now and I know when he gets a little mind of his own things will get tougher.

i wish you luck with your daughter and it sounds as though you have a great relationship and talk often.

Thanks for the replies.

My daughter and I do have a great relationship, one that I hope continues as she gets older.

I was more surprised that the Grade 5 or Grade 6 "supervising" students would okay food for children to eat. This is not part of their supervision job description, which is what I indicated to the secretary and principal of the school when I phoned them this morning.

I will try the food activity suggested!
thanks again.

Quote:Originally posted by caryn:
[b]...I have 2 bags of vanilla wafers and 2 bags of chocolate chips and ask if they can tell which ones are safe? what if they were baked into a dessert -- could they tell? would they want to risk my child's life on guessing? [/b]

Love this! I'm always looking for visuals, and this is a great one.

Codyman,
I would never have thought that when my child turned six we would be dealing with these situations, but we are, too.

The new neighbor kids were over the other day and had asked what my son's medic alert wrist band was, and when he did not answer, I started to explain it to them. He interrupted me, "Don't tell them."

Later, he told me he's embarassed about his allergies and doesn't want people to know. How sad (but necessary) for such small children to have to deal with such a large issue.

Does the school have to use 5th and 6th graders as lunch monitors? I don't know if they have the capacity to fully understand the impact of small kids with food allergies exchanging food, unless they are extremely well trained. Are there no teachers in the lunch room?

nancy023: My daughter was asked during the summer what she was allergic to when the person saw that she was wearing a Medic Alert bracelet -- her answer "I forget".

In regards to the lunch supervision, I have to ask if the teacher is in the room. The past 2 years (JK and SK) a paid lunch Supervisor (adult) was in the room as well as older studentst to help out.

At Jason's school, the kids are supervised by their teachers while in the cafeteria.

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Cheryl, mom to Jason (6 PA/TA/other FAs and EAs),Joey (4 NKA) and Allison (11/02 dairy sensitive)

Codyman,

Austin and Megan are in the same class this year but in a quad(big room with 4 grade 1 classes).

Already(and this is supposedly a peanut/nut-free school) a boy had a p.b.sandwich for lunch. Was sent to the office but still(they eat lunch in their classroom! )
They are not allowed to share snacks at all in their classroom.
Thank Goodness I pick them up for lunch!
Their teacher or another usually supervise the lunch and I don't think I will let him stay anyway,
it's a nice break from a long day to come home for lunch.

I can't say for sure but Austin probably would have ate the Doritos as well because they are safe.
He refused timbits the other day in class(brought in for someone's birthday), Megan had 3 but Austin said no.
I bought him some Krispy Creme's(they just opened in London [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] )
he loved them!

This is all such a reminder to tell our kids even though it something you eat everyday and you know it's safe, don't eat anything anyone offers you.

Teacher did ask me his signs for smell reaction and whether to give epipen. I said NO, bring him outside.
I am so certain of him not eating from other's I know it would have to be a smell reaction his teacher would be witnessing rather than an injestion reaction.