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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not understand this rule (thread from a thread)

53 replies

Summerblaze · 19/10/2011 11:42

I have just been reading the nursery lunch thread and it made me think of this rule that was sent on a note via my DD's book bag.

I have no knowledge of this so please don't flame me as I am really not sure if IABU or not.

My DD is a junior in Year 3 (7/8). We had a note to ask if we could make sure that we didn't send anything with nuts etc in.

Firstly, my dd eats her own packed lunch and she is not allergic to nuts. Surely kids who have nut allergies and are this age, know not to eat other peoples packed lunch. What about chocolate biscuits which say that they MAY contain nuts.

I do understand the rule for nurseries and infants but for juniors surely not.

OP posts:
pollyblue · 19/10/2011 11:44

Maybe there is a child in the school who is allergic to the extent that even being near to nuts or nut products could trigger an attack? I know airlines will ban nuts on a flight if there is a passenger on board with this problem.

scurryfunge · 19/10/2011 11:44

There could be a risk that a child having just eaten nuts then holds hands with a child that has the allergy. It is prudent to try to eliminate that risk if it is only a question of being respectful.

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 19/10/2011 11:46

My friends dd can have a full blown reaction (ie hospitalization) from being breathed on by someone who has just eaten nuts.

I think that explains it.

scuzy · 19/10/2011 11:47

for some people/kids they do not have to ingest the food they are allergic too. even on their skin is enough so YABU. kids arent the cleanest of eaters, someone wipes their mouth with their sleeve, wipes fingers on tables, gets it on their forehead or something ... it isnt as simple as once its down the hatch its safe!

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 19/10/2011 11:47

By nuts = peanuts, she is not allergic to any other kind of nut.

Original poster
Summerblaze · 19/10/2011 11:47

But some things have hidden nuts i:e have been made in a factory that uses nuts and could contain traces.

FWIW, my DD doesn't really eat nuts at school, I just thought it was strange.

OP posts:
Groovee · 19/10/2011 11:49

My friends dd had to be blue lighted to A&E after she touched another child's hand who'd had nuts in something for lunch and the child had their hands in their mouth.

My son's reaction to peanuts only happens when he actually eats them.

rhondajean · 19/10/2011 11:49

Ive always had a question about this - they do it at DDs school too.

How does the parent/child cope when they arent in a controllable environment? Do you avoid eating out etc?

I do take it seriously btw, I worked with someone years ago whose grown up daughter died due to a nut allergy, Im just curious about how you cope with it.

Original poster
Summerblaze · 19/10/2011 11:50

But then surely this also means, not taking nuts on a picnic whilst at a farm, or an alton towers style place. Does this mean that cafe's can't serve nuts just in case a child wipes some on the table which is touched by someone else.

OP posts:
scuzy · 19/10/2011 11:50

i think though as a parent or a mum a bit of understanding of what it means to a kid with these allergies to suffer from something so simple or we take for granted is needed. so she cant have food containing nuts for her lunch 5 days a week. big swing. think of the kid and parents who are for the rest of their lives watching out for this potentially fatal condition.

scuzy · 19/10/2011 11:51

summerblaze you are being silly now. obvsiouly at the school there is or are kids that have this allergy. just respect the schools wishes and stop questioning it! its not a big deal. be thankful your kid can eat these things.

Original poster
Summerblaze · 19/10/2011 11:54

As I have said, things with actual nuts in such as peanut butter, nut bars etc aren't something that she would take to school and I won't send them even if she asks now as I have taken notice of what they have said.

She does however take chocolate biscuits which sometimes say that they MAY have traces of nut. Are these not to be taken either???

My DS loves peanut butter and has it in sandwiches a few times a week. We then go to toddler groups, play areas etc and it is possible that he could breathe on someone who has an allergy.

OP posts:
BeyondLimitsOfTheLivingDead · 19/10/2011 11:55

I see your point. You're not told "dont give your kids peanut butter for breakfast in case they breathe on someone with an allergy", thats no different IMO?

scuzy · 19/10/2011 11:56

it is up to the parent with a child with food alllergy how they dine out etc but if you have been specifially asked by the school to refrain from packing certain foods for your ds's lunch then do so. if you have other queries by all means ask the school or if in doubt dont pack it. give it to her once you have picked them up from school.

Original poster
Summerblaze · 19/10/2011 11:56

BTW. Not being silly just curious.

I don't know anybody with any allergy personally and am wondering. I am very grateful that me and my children do not have allergies but this doesn't mean I don't have questions.

Instead of name calling, why not educate me and others who know nothing of these things.

OP posts:
scuzy · 19/10/2011 11:57

obviously some kids have reactions from touching nuts and others are fine unless ingested etc.

pollyblue · 19/10/2011 11:57

The school obviously takes its responsibility to the child seriously and wants to ensure as safe an environment as possible.

LoopyLoopsPussInBoots · 19/10/2011 11:57

You don't know the details of the child with the allergy. It may be that fumes from not products in the room is enough. YABU.

rhondajean · 19/10/2011 11:58

I think I almost asked what summers trying to. Anyone with a child with an allergy can help us out?

How do you cope in other places - and actually, can we do anything else to help you?

allhailtheaubergine · 19/10/2011 11:58

I have often wondered about this. I am very careful not to send things containing nuts to school - but should I also not give my children peanut butter for breakfast? I suppose not. How about before leaving the house for any reason where I know there will be children?

scuzy · 19/10/2011 11:59

i apologise summerblaze. i thought you were being flippant when you said about bringing nuts to alton towers etc. ask the school more info on it, does your child know this child in question what does this child eat for lunch or if all else fails ... chat with the mum. or google.

BeyondLimitsOfTheLivingDead · 19/10/2011 12:00

or adults? they could be allergic too!

ComradeJing · 19/10/2011 12:00

What Rhonda said :)

Dawndonna · 19/10/2011 12:00

Obviously the school is trying to create a safe environment, obviously it can't be controlled in public places, but the school are trying to minimise disruption for ALL the children. Imagine how distressed the other children are going to be if the child who is allergic has an anaphylactic reaction.
I think it's a reasonable rule in a school.

ScaredTEECat · 19/10/2011 12:02

I often wonder that as well. I do understand that some people have allergies so severe that even a particle of the allergen can cause a reaction.

What I don't understand is how a person like that copes in the real world. Allergens, whether nuts or other food or what have you, are everywhere. You can't control the environment out in the world. You just can't.

So how does someone like that function?

I am not trying to be mean or facetious or uncaring. I just genuinely don't understand.

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