Baby sitters????

We interviewed several college student babysitters first, and then found one we trusted/liked/had a good resume--she's also CPR certified. Then, we gave her an Epi Pen Trainer and a Epi video. We also showed her the Epi Pen website which demonstrates the proper technique. She does not eat any PB before coming to our house or brings any outside food either. I told her to give me a list and I'll always buy something she likes for lunch/dinner. All the food in our house is safe, but I still lay out/list the ONLY things DS is allowed to eat while I'm away.
You need to get out of the house! You might start with getting a sitter for times when your kids are asleep or at non-eating times until you feel more comfortable. I wish you tons of luck finding one. I know it's hard enough leaving your kids just because they are your kids--let alone with MFA.

Yes, we hire babysitters. My boys are not allowed to snack after dinner, so there is no eating after we leave (except for by the sitter if they want to munch on something after the kids go to bed.) I do show them how to use the Epi (but also remind them that as long as no one eats after we leave...there should be no problem), and remind them to call 911 for ANY emergency. My husband and I are usually out locally anway. Our longest lasting babysitter lived 3 doors away and her parents were usually home as well.
Kelly

Quote:Originally posted by chanda4:
[b]A few posts under Lara's Law made me wonder....
Do you hire baby sitters for your food allergic kids??? I ask because I never have, and I am sure I am not alone. I've wished I could find one, but really, who in the heck would I feel comfortable hiring?? They's have to be a registered nurse in my book, and KNOW food allergies inside and out. [/b]
The only people who watch our kids are their grandparents and my brother and SIL. Grandfather has been trained (by me) on Epi (I also had him use a real one on an orange, chandra! best training!), he used to be a fireman, and his wife is a kindergarten teacher - I do trust them to be able to use the Epi if needed. My SIL has an Epi herself for bee allergy, and gives herself daily shots, so I am confident they would use it correctly. I also will only have the kids babysat in our home, so at least I know there is (virtually) no chance of my son reacting to anything in his own home.

The ONLY person I trust to watch my child beside my DH and myself is MY parents. DD is 10 and that is the only sitter we have ever had.
They are epi trained, allergy aware and every bit as cautious as I am.
[This message has been edited by krc (edited January 27, 2007).]

The only people DD is ever left with (even in our home) besides us are my mom and my best friend, who has been epipen trained and comes over sometimes so that DH and I can go out for dinner. We feed the TWO OF THEM. Even then, they play board games and stuff but we aren't gone for more than a few hours.

I am comfortable leaving my kids with my mom and my sister. The only real babysitters we've hired are the girls who live across the street from us. Now one's in college and the other has just graduated, so I don't think we'll get to hire them anymore. But we started occasionally having them babysit before we were dealing with PA, and they continued after that. Not ever often, but for an occasional important outing for us. They are very responsible, smart people, and they felt up to the allergy issue. I've considered a young teenager that another mom recommended to me, but it just scares me too much to have a young girl I don't know personally take on the responsibility of keeping my PA DD safe.

Other than the grandmas? Just a retired nurse and nanny who watched ds#2 a few times before we knew he was allergic as well. We specified food he was allowed and left epi's. Then she started having health problems and we were left on our own again.
Then last year we moved 300 miles to be close to grandma because we need the help..how else can I attend all school parties and field trips with 3 kids? Never mind wanting to volunteer, meetings with administration and dr's for other medical reasons, and every dr's appt, of which we have a TON.
I don't even think we realized how much of a necessity the move was until it happened and ds#1 entered kindergarten. I am certain I would have been forced into homeschooling or making frightening concessions to his safety had we not moved.
luvmyboys

I know I am in the minority but we use sitters almost on a weekly basis. I always can have my parents or sister to watch the kids. But, we do have several teens located in the houses next door and across the street who we use frequently. This is our deal. We only go out from 6-9 pm. We feed the kids before we leave and make sure the sitters have eaten before they arrive. They are all aware of the peanut allergy we are dealing with and how to handle the emergency. All snacks are provided by us and are "safe". The parents of the sitters are always home. We have 2 doctors that live next door to us, one across the street and the father of the sitter we use most often is an EMT and town fireman. Also, we never stray too far. My husband and I strongly believe that we need a life away from the kids in order for us to maintain a healthy relationship. One meal alone every one or two weeks seems to work for us. I don't have to jump up every second, pour milk, wipe up spills, push in chairs, ... you know the drill. If you find someone you trust, go for it. You owe it to yourselves.
LJ

LJ-
I don't think you are in the minority, just in the minority of those who post regularly on this board.
I often feel the same way (in the minority). I find that how we handle ds' PA is quite different from many that post. However, of the folks I know with PA in my personal life, many of them handle things the same as I do.
It is always good to see all perspectives.
Take care,
Kelly