Classmate's food allergy and snacks

[Deleted]

I am responsible for sending snacks on Halloween this year. I messaged the teacher to ask about any class food allergies and she stated there is a food allergy in the class (didn't specify what) and that the child cannot eat anything his parents don't provide.

WWMLD? My gut is telling me to send him a non-food treat of some kind and hope his parents are providing him with an appropriate snack?

Edited for grammar

[wildfloweragain]

Yes, I've had a few students who can only have stuff from home. A non food item would be great! Ask first if this child celebrates halloween before you send something halloween themed. Dollar store puzze sometimes works out great, depending on the age. Notebook from the dollar bin from michael's, stickers, etc.

Not play dough, likely.

[Deleted]

Oct 23, 2014 16:37:52 GMT -5 wildfloweragain said:

Yes, I've had a few students who can only have stuff from home. A non food item would be great! Ask first if this child celebrates halloween before you send something halloween themed. Dollar store puzze sometimes works out great, depending on the age. Notebook from the dollar bin from michael's, stickers, etc.

Not play dough, likely.

Those are all great idea and I didn't think of this (the bolded) either. Maybe I should stick to fall/autumn theme for it all.

[dragonfly08]

My DDs have often had classmates in this situation. The teacher usually let their parents know when there was a celebration, so that a safe snack could be brought in. DD #2s K teacher also kept Oreos in the cabinet, since they're on the approved list with all of the peanut allergy moms I know and that's the most prevalent allergy.  Lactose, gluten and gelatin have also come up.

I'd personally just send snack and not worry about doing anything extra for the child with the food allergy. Not b/c I'd want to exclude him, but b/c if you do a "non snack" option for him, he will have both the parent provided snack AND what you send, while the other kids just have their snack. It calls even more attention to him, IMO. I could see doing something else if he was going to be completely left out, but I'm assuming his parents are well used to sending snacks on occasions like this and he'll have that covered.

[katb]

My oldest has nut allergies and I just sent a snack/food in with her. It sucked at times when parents would show up with cupcakes or such unannounced, but she had to learn that was life. We actually carry her food with us most times whenever we go anywhere because you can never be sure (this includes taking a sandwich in a purse at a wedding, lol)

[ECB]

I agree w/ chole. Giving a toy when the other kids won't get one is dangerous territory. Based on the teachers response, I would assume I don't need to provide anything for that child.

As a parent of a child w/ food issues, I supply food when I know he can't have what's being served. I wouldn't expect another parent to give him a toy.