On a whim, I called to sign my 4 year old up for pre-school. The teacher said they would send a note out to all parents not to send peanut or peanut butter snacks, and they would keep an epi-pen to use if necessary. He has other food allegies, so I will send his own snacks and he will only eat what I send. They have had other children with food allergies at this pre-school with no problems.
What I did not tell the teacher is I am planning on staying in the building during his pre-school classes- not in the classroom, but in another room in the building. Maybe after a few classes I will feel comfortable leaving him there, but not at first.
Am I "nuts?"
I think that it is great that your 4 year old is going to preschool and that you have found a place that is accomadating and that understands food allergies.
If you are more comfortable hanging around -then do it. I used to when dd was younger. Maybe you can volunteer to help in the school ofice stuffing envelopes or filing or assist in a different classroom - you will still be close, but be useful and get to know the school staff better - maybe helpful in the future.
Good luck.
I actually found a pre-K that wants parents to participate as much as possible in their childs classroom. The teacher thinks the more hands on the parents are in the early years will help foster learning skills and parent-child involvement in education. I will be attending with my 3 1/2 year old and when I can't I will send another caregiver with her. This will ease my nerves and hopefully I will feel better when she reaches kindergarten. I have other friends that are sending their allergic kids elsewhere and are volunteering in the building so they can oversee snack and the safety of their kids.
Hope u can read this, dogs are barking and I can't concentrate. Good luck!
I am planning to send ds to a preschool this year also if all works out. Its only one day a week for 2 hours a day as he is only 2yrs old. It is at my church so if he does go I plan to volunteer at the church for those 2 hours each week so I can be in the same building, so basically-no I don't think you are going overboard! Its what makes you comfortable and feel safe!!!!
Thanks for making me feel better. I hope the other moms at the preschool understand and don't think I'm a wacko.
My older son is homeschooled. So, I thought I would take advantage of that time to do some of his school work in an empty classroom (it's a big church with lots of additional Sunday school rooms), but maybe we could also help at the church as a type of community service project. Great ideas.
I've been accused of being a bit wacko but oh well that is life. I would do exactly what your doing and as you say maybe you will leave eventually.
You may even be a big help at snack time when they pass them out.
I never care about what others think when it comes to raising my kids.
I had a lady tell me to stop giving Chris a kiss when he leaves me. Well he is 18 and never leaves without it. He doesn't care who is around he always gives me a kiss goodbye.
We went to kindermusic and the teacher asked us to stay there. She had chairs right outside for us to sit in and wait. OF course it was only 1 hour but well worth it.
At the end of class parents went in and saw what the kids learned.
Good luck to you Claire
I feel the same way you do. My four year old starts pre-school in two weeks. I have met with the director and she said that I have to physically sign off on the snack each day. No peanuts or tree nuts are allowed at all. However, parents bring the snacks and I am sure there will be cross-contamination issues.
I offered to volunteer at the school and I am praying that they take me up on it. If not, there are several little shops right around the school that I can mill around in for the two hours that his preschool lasts. I can't bear the thought of leaving him there and going all the way home. That "what ifs" would eat me alive.
Anyway, just wanted to say you are not alone in the way you feel.
Jaime [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
Nancy, I would do the exact same thing. My son goes to public school so I can't stick around, but I stay in the building when he goes to storytime, and will be sitting outside his classroom when he starts CCD classes this fall. If I didn't also have a three year old, I would have let him do the town summer rec camp and stayed with him there - when my little guy is old enough to go to that too, I'll sign them both up and volunteer to stay and help. I'm already planning on volunteering to be a lunch room monitor next year when my son starts eating lunch in school! You want to help keep your child safe, and what could be more important than that? [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
Thanks again for all the support. Good luck to everyone this school year and stay safe.
Nancy,
I'm so glad you posted this [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] I'm interviewing pre-schools in the fall for the following year for my mfa ds, and I've come across one that is very accommodating to food allergies, but is about 30 min away.
As I was thinking whether my kids would attend, I had visioned myself camping out in the parking lot (with visions of stalking coming to mind - LOL). Your idea to volunteer makes alot more sense. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]
Whatever we can do to keep our little ones safe right?!
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Meg, mom to:
Matt 2 yrs. PA,MA,EA
Sean 2 yrs. NKA
Nancy,
Get used to being your childs advocate! Even though the class teachers and parents know your child has the allergy it is guaranteed at some point there will be a mix up and they will offer your child something with nuts in it.
Be vigilant and never back down, let them know you are there to stay.
My childs preschool teacher had her own child with food allergies and still gave my child crackers with peanut traces in them!
People make mistakes and we are the last line of defense between the allergen and our child. Be there!
Good Luck!
Sandy
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